And you are correct about discussion of matters that are affecting all of us: the new cagle cartoon at the top of the page says it all: a devastated and polluted economy; loss of homes, jobs, lack of places to turn for timely help for anything of consequence, money poured into the pockets of those who have already mis-spent their money most

This is the topic in my little circle daily, not the elections, but the media's perseverations, as though some outlets have become not so secret helping arms of one campaign or the other, rather than reporting on ALL the aspects of the campaigns, rather than msm acting as 'prickers' (dont laugh) who are supposed to put the hard questions out again and again.

I hold hope nonetheless. THere are good journalists of conscience in this world: in msm, the prob is often getting the work past editors who dont.

Thank you for your comments to everyone; good example of dialogue.

dr.e

And you are correct about discussion of matters that are affecting all of us: the new cagle cartoon at the top of the page says it all: a devastated and polluted economy; loss of homes, jobs, lack of places to turn for timely help for anything of consequence, money poured into the pockets of those who have already mis-spent their money most

This is the topic in my little circle daily, not the elections, but the media's perseverations, as though some outlets have become not so secret helping arms of one campaign or the other, rather than reporting on ALL the aspects of the campaigns, rather than msm acting as 'prickers' (dont laugh) who are supposed to put the hard questions out again and again.

I hold hope nonetheless. THere are good journalists of conscience in this world: in msm, the prob is often getting the work past editors who dont.

Thank you for your comments to everyone; good example of dialogue.

dr.e

You are totally right. Liberals can legitimately attack McCain's policies etc. without necessarily going down that road. However, as Gloria Steinem's mocking of McCain's years as a POW to a laughing audience (last week, I believe) of Clinton supporters suggests, a significant number do not share your civilized perspective.

enh124…Your point about context is, of course, true and well-taken. Your reference to your beliefs is illustrative of the fact one does not have to be an adherent of one side or another to indicate the need for fair treatment.

Dymero makes a good point about McCain being “demonized by the right”. It is sort of bizarre to see someone – who was, at one point, actually booed by the GOP caucus – being represented as an arch Republican. Democrats have likewise done a fair share of the smearing of Obama and Clinton.

Archangel…thanks for the welcome…although, truth be told, I was very active here at TMV for a year or so until late last spring when I had to go back home because of a death in the family (thankfully, in a country with state-supported health care – an issue that I think should be central in this election…altho oddly is not…and with the Wright business and the endless clips of Wright I am sure we will be seeing for the next months… health care probably won't be).

Yes, TMV appears to be one of the few sites of moderation. Interesting too, how it seems to have been picking up more “refugees” lately as the nastiness heats up.

Sadly, I expect smears and out-of-context misrepresentations to be the order of the day this year. It promises to be an interesting ride, though

You are totally right. Liberals can legitimately attack McCain's policies etc. without necessarily going down that road. However, as Gloria Steinem's mocking of McCain's years as a POW to a laughing audience (last week, I believe) of Clinton supporters suggests, a significant number do not share your civilized perspective.

enh124…Your point about context is, of course, true and well-taken. Your reference to your beliefs is illustrative of the fact one does not have to be an adherent of one side or another to indicate the need for fair treatment.

Dymero makes a good point about McCain being “demonized by the right”. It is sort of bizarre to see someone – who was, at one point, actually booed by the GOP caucus – being represented as an arch Republican. Democrats have likewise done a fair share of the smearing of Obama and Clinton.

Archangel…thanks for the welcome…although, truth be told, I was very active here at TMV for a year or so until late last spring when I had to go back home because of a death in the family (thankfully, in a country with state-supported health care – an issue that I think should be central in this election…altho oddly is not…and with the Wright business and the endless clips of Wright I am sure we will be seeing for the next months… health care probably won't be).

Yes, TMV appears to be one of the few sites of moderation. Interesting too, how it seems to have been picking up more “refugees” lately as the nastiness heats up.

Sadly, I expect smears and out-of-context misrepresentations to be the order of the day this year. It promises to be an interesting ride, though

It's kind of like how a lot of Democrats demonize Lieberman because he's with the Republicans on the war and a couple other things. Meanwhile, John McCain gets demonized by the right because of his stance on torture and campaign finance reform, etc. My maternal grandparents (or at least my grandfather) falls into the first group. Yet, I don't see it that way.

I think this whole Wright affair has also gotten me to think about the issue of what's shown by the pastors versus what their entire career is.

It's kind of like how a lot of Democrats demonize Lieberman because he's with the Republicans on the war and a couple other things. Meanwhile, John McCain gets demonized by the right because of his stance on torture and campaign finance reform, etc. My maternal grandparents (or at least my grandfather) falls into the first group. Yet, I don't see it that way.

I think this whole Wright affair has also gotten me to think about the issue of what's shown by the pastors versus what their entire career is.

Unless it's about Bush and the 4,000 soldiers who have been killed so far in Iraq…. there's nothing right about that wrong.

Unless it's about Bush and the 4,000 soldiers who have been killed so far in Iraq…. there's nothing right about that wrong.

nice job on 'double standard squared' Pete. Gentle amen.

dr.e

One of the heartening things about the whole Obama-Wright affair is the newfound emphasis among liberals about the need to consider comments in their full context.

I look forward to similar expressions from liberals of the need to consider context the next time a comment of McCain's delivered offhand in one of his endless press interviews is blown up into a scandal to illustrate:
(1) his stupidity; (2) his evilness; (3) his corruption; (4) his senility; (5) the “fact” that he really isn't a war hero, which was all really a myth concocted by the servile media and chickenhawks.

Of course, I will not be holding my breath.

http://edspoliticalforum.blogspot.com/2008/03/i…

This reminds me of the time that I saw an ad urging the government to do more about global poverty and it was filled with tons of major Hollywood players and then Pat Robertson. I was impressed that Robertson agreed to appear in the ad with all the flaming Hollywood liberals…while I knew he cared about poverty deeply it was still something he didn't have to do.