I am really amazed by the complete abdication of journalistic standards by the mainstream media regarding coverage of President Obama and major political issues.
There are four items which really make me shake my head. First, the incredible turnaround by so many Obama apologists on his Libya war (or should I say limited kinetic engagement) policy. Some of them, like Andrea Mitchell and Jonathan Alter were almost pathetic in their attempts to rationalize their praise for Obama's "measured" and "nuanced" policy with their prior views on pre-emptive war ala Bushitler.
The other three are things not being reported. Despite the calls for civility in the wake of the shooting of several persons in Arizona, the media has gone silent in the face of partisan violence, intimidation and insult in Wisconsin. Why, you ask? Because the violence is by progressive unionists, not Tea Partiers, so in the minds of today's leftist media, it isn't a story.
Similarly, there are hardly any stories dealing with the staggering increases in gasoline and food prices. The price of gasoline has doubled since Obama took office. When Bush was President, there were two Congressional investigations into "price gouging" by "Big Oil", widely chronicled by the press. Today, hardly a peep. Apparently, the nation is taking the price rise in stride.
Finally, there was the ridiculous spectacle of Senator Schumer schooling his colleagues in the "proper rhetoric" for a phone session with reporters. Unfortunately for Chuck, he forgot to push the mute button and the reporters heard him telling the assembled Senators to characterize the GOP as extremists and to use other pejorative terms whenever possible. Of course the story was page one news, right? No, barely a mention and then only under the headline "How News Is Made". That seems to be the problem. Our current leftist media doesn't mind reporting news made to fit their partisan views.
Somewhere, Thomas Jefferson is weeping.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
In Over His Head
If you have ever read this blog, you know that I am not a supporter of Barak Obama. Despite that, I started off, like most Americans (including those who voted for McCain or others), wishing him well and hoping for positive results for the country. At this point, however, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that President Obama is not up to the job.
The simple fact is that we elected a man who did not have sufficient experience or sufficient skill to be President. He campaigned skillfully, but now that he has had two years in office, we see that it was all tightly scripted smoke and mirrors. Left to his own devices, forced to make tough decision, asked to lead on divisive issues, he has proven to be the proverbial "empty suit".
Lately, this has become clear to many people. I have collected a number of articles below, by writers much more skilled than I, which outline some of the main criticisms of the President. Granted, the writers are conservatives who are no fans of Obama, but if you read the articles, you will recognize that they ring true.
Victor Davis Hanson of NRO: March 17th.
Mark Steyn of NRO: March 19th.
John Hinderaker of PowerLine: March 15th, March 18th, March 19th.
Charles Krauthammer of Fox News/WaPo/ NRO: March 11th, March 18th.
There were many more articles I could point to, but they all lead to the same conclusion. Jimmy Carter is starting to look good to a lot of people.
The simple fact is that we elected a man who did not have sufficient experience or sufficient skill to be President. He campaigned skillfully, but now that he has had two years in office, we see that it was all tightly scripted smoke and mirrors. Left to his own devices, forced to make tough decision, asked to lead on divisive issues, he has proven to be the proverbial "empty suit".
Lately, this has become clear to many people. I have collected a number of articles below, by writers much more skilled than I, which outline some of the main criticisms of the President. Granted, the writers are conservatives who are no fans of Obama, but if you read the articles, you will recognize that they ring true.
Victor Davis Hanson of NRO: March 17th.
Mark Steyn of NRO: March 19th.
John Hinderaker of PowerLine: March 15th, March 18th, March 19th.
Charles Krauthammer of Fox News/WaPo/ NRO: March 11th, March 18th.
There were many more articles I could point to, but they all lead to the same conclusion. Jimmy Carter is starting to look good to a lot of people.
No Surprise
The Democrat & Chronicle today endorsed Tom Richards for Mayor of Rochester. Why did they waste the ink? Was there anyone in the area who thought they might do otherwise?
The D&C has toed the party line since the beginning of the process to replace Bob Duffy. They touted the undemocratic "special election" plan that Democratic party bosses wanted, they kept silent when the City Council effectively decided on the plan during a non"Open Meeting" (oh, where was the "sunshine"?), and they have criticised Bill Johnson and his effort to derail the coronation of Richards.
Frankly, I don't really like Richards and I wonder what real accomplishments he has in government. He thinks highly of himself, but the problems Rochester is facing are going to require more than hot air to fix. While I don't care that much about the outcome, I am hoping that Johnson wins, because it will be a win for the democratic process over the Democrat party.
Finally, the D&C's performance on this issue, like so many other things it does, confirms that it is aptly named. Few would dispute that the D&C feels its high calling is to "chronicle" the Democrat party line on every issue.
The D&C has toed the party line since the beginning of the process to replace Bob Duffy. They touted the undemocratic "special election" plan that Democratic party bosses wanted, they kept silent when the City Council effectively decided on the plan during a non"Open Meeting" (oh, where was the "sunshine"?), and they have criticised Bill Johnson and his effort to derail the coronation of Richards.
Frankly, I don't really like Richards and I wonder what real accomplishments he has in government. He thinks highly of himself, but the problems Rochester is facing are going to require more than hot air to fix. While I don't care that much about the outcome, I am hoping that Johnson wins, because it will be a win for the democratic process over the Democrat party.
Finally, the D&C's performance on this issue, like so many other things it does, confirms that it is aptly named. Few would dispute that the D&C feels its high calling is to "chronicle" the Democrat party line on every issue.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Please, Sir, I Want Some More.
No, I'm not referring to Oliver Twist, instead my heading refers to John Halstead, the President of SUNY Brockport. He wrote this essay in todays Democrat & Chronicle suggesting that SUNY tuition should be allowed to increase.
His essay outlined his arguments justifying a tuition increase. He also described the potential negative ramifications of a failure to do so.
I don't have a big quarrel with his argument about possible service cuts, but I think there is an underlying question that his essay left begging. I would like an explanation from an educator like Mr. Halstead regarding the reasons that college education costs have outpaced inflation by a factor of four. Are there some unique factors which have necessitated such cost growth? Everything costs more than it did 20 years ago, but the costs of higher education have skyrocketed. Details, please.
Mr. Halstead's arguments are reasonable if the current cost structure is reasonable. I'd like a discussion in that vein before we simply agree to more of the same.
His essay outlined his arguments justifying a tuition increase. He also described the potential negative ramifications of a failure to do so.
I don't have a big quarrel with his argument about possible service cuts, but I think there is an underlying question that his essay left begging. I would like an explanation from an educator like Mr. Halstead regarding the reasons that college education costs have outpaced inflation by a factor of four. Are there some unique factors which have necessitated such cost growth? Everything costs more than it did 20 years ago, but the costs of higher education have skyrocketed. Details, please.
Mr. Halstead's arguments are reasonable if the current cost structure is reasonable. I'd like a discussion in that vein before we simply agree to more of the same.
Selective Sunshine
Today's Rochester Democrat & Chronicle included a front-page story and an editorial dealing with open government issues.
Frankly, I have little sympathy for the D&C's sunshine agenda. Like almost all of its efforts, this one is partisan and is only aimed at targets that the Editorial Board thinks appropriate. As I noted in this recent post, the D&C only cares about openness when it will allow for a story critical of a GOP run entity.
Today, for example, the story and editorial deal with the difficulty of obtaining payroll information from local governments. For some reason, school districts were left out. If schools had been included, none of the 20 top earners listed in today's paper would have made the list. But school districts are one of the groups that are favored by the D&C, particularly since they fought Maggie Brooks and the FAIR plan.
As I noted in the post I referenced, the D&C's failure to criticise the City Council for its non-transparent decision to hold a special election, is proof that this paper's sun need only shine on its targets, not its friends.
Frankly, I have little sympathy for the D&C's sunshine agenda. Like almost all of its efforts, this one is partisan and is only aimed at targets that the Editorial Board thinks appropriate. As I noted in this recent post, the D&C only cares about openness when it will allow for a story critical of a GOP run entity.
Today, for example, the story and editorial deal with the difficulty of obtaining payroll information from local governments. For some reason, school districts were left out. If schools had been included, none of the 20 top earners listed in today's paper would have made the list. But school districts are one of the groups that are favored by the D&C, particularly since they fought Maggie Brooks and the FAIR plan.
As I noted in the post I referenced, the D&C's failure to criticise the City Council for its non-transparent decision to hold a special election, is proof that this paper's sun need only shine on its targets, not its friends.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Drowning In Red Ink
Charles Koch writing in the Wall Street Journal, outlined some shocking numbers regarding the massive debt Americans face.
Read the whole thing, but here is the stunning fact from the piece:
"Federal data indicate how urgently we need reform: The unfunded liabilities of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid already exceed $106 trillion. That's well over $300,000 for every man, woman and child in America (and exceeds the combined value of every U.S. bank account, stock certificate, building and piece of personal or public property)".
That's 1.2 million for my family!
Seriously, how can politicians continue to advocate more spending in light of this crushing debt? Nero was a piker compared to our so-called leaders.
Read the whole thing, but here is the stunning fact from the piece:
"Federal data indicate how urgently we need reform: The unfunded liabilities of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid already exceed $106 trillion. That's well over $300,000 for every man, woman and child in America (and exceeds the combined value of every U.S. bank account, stock certificate, building and piece of personal or public property)".
That's 1.2 million for my family!
Seriously, how can politicians continue to advocate more spending in light of this crushing debt? Nero was a piker compared to our so-called leaders.
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