BH #2 - Messy Media

Most people today rely on television for their news. Most have either satellite, or cable. Fewer and fewer are using broadcast T.V. However, everything that is on broadcast can be found on cable and satellite. For the purposes of this article, I'm grouping all television sources together.

How many times have you watched the evening news, and saw something that just made your blood boil? Did your opinion match the message they news show was making on T.V.? Welcome to skewed news. We live in sad times where most of the news programs hype and slant their stories to a. improve ratings, and b. to agree with those who are paying the bills, and c. to agree with the big bosses, who are most likely the same as b.

Currently I use standard broadcast T.V. at home. However, I have been (un) privileged enough to watch cable news shows at a friends house, or satellite. I repeatedly see the same trends over and over. Most of the news programs are slanted towards the left. That isn't surprising once you research who owns those stations, networks, and who pays the bills. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not here to bash anyone. I would just like to point out that neutral journalism is difficult to achieve, and that we should all keep this in mind when watching the news. Some political slant in news stories is expected, as long as those reporting the news make it clear as to what is hard fact, and what is opinion.

The second thing that I constantly notice in the news is the proverbial beating a dead horse. By this I am referring to something that happens, that might not really be that Earth shattering, yet it ends up on every channel, interrupting the rest of the crap on T.V. (I'll get into the lack of decent programming a bit later)

Third, depending on who holds political office, the Government either gets praised, or beaten like a little kid with extra lunch money. Some of the following examples illustrates one, several, or all of these points.

My first example is when Pope John Paul II died, every media outlet made the story their top priority. For weeks afterward, all you heard was the Pope this, and the Pope that. Now I'm not knocking the Pope, or his importance to the Catholic religion. He is the leader of the Catholic church. But the man died! Burry him peacefully. Respect the family's wishes. Don't put the body on display for weeks! Don't turn it into a parade! If you want to see someone, see them while they are alive. Give them flowers while they are alive, and able to enjoy them. Honor and respect people while they are here to enjoy it. This is just a minor example. Keep reading.

My second example is about the events that took place before, during, and after September 11th in America. To truly understand this, we must look at America's attitude, and what we were all taught, and what truly happened. America was always taught to cooperate with hijackers. Before 911, most hijackers just wanted money, to escape, etc. They really didn't tend to harm people. We were all taught to cooperate to live. The hijackers had box cutters for crying out loud! Do you know how easy it is to disarm someone with a box cutter? Sure you may get cut. But grab someone's carry on luggage and beat the crap out of em. Poke the eyes, kick the groin. They'll drop that box cutter. The reason the hijackers were able to take over a plane was because American's let it happen. (I have a right to say this because I am an American) We were taught to let it happen. Now here's what all of the security advocates neglect to mention. Back then, box cutters were allowed on planes. The hijackers had the proper "fake" id. Research the net. Fake ID's aren't difficult to get. Back then airport security was doing it's job. However, after all of those people were killed on 911, the media took the story and had a field day with it. The media instilled fear into everyone. Draconian laws were passed by congress. Airport security was taken over by the government. This was done to appease the masses that cried out for the government to take care of them. Yes, some administrative jobs within the government were created. But a lot of jobs were lost when the private security companies passed the torch over to the government. A lot of the private security personnel was even hired by the government. They were trained according to the new government regulations regarding airport security. So as far as jobs go, it pretty much balanced out. As far as airport security goes, it seemed a lot like fixing something that wasn't really broken in the first place. I worked for TSA for a short time. I have great respect for them. It's a stressful job. (left that job due to ulcers btw) Not only do you have to keep up with the latest regulations from D.C. on how you are suppose to do your job, but you also have to keep a close eye on everything that is going on around you. Add to that the general public who cried out for the government to keep them safe, who also hate you because you must invade their privacy and search their belongings thoroughly. You tend to hear the typical, "Do I look like a terrorist?" While I worked there, I had to be polite in my responses. But now, this is my message to the public.

It was you (the public) who gave in to media hysteria. It was you who cried out to the government to keep you safe. It was you who agreed to give up your rights while flying in order to keep that safety. It is you who are paying for them to do their job. You are the reason they are there. Either get your friends together and have congress reverse the decision, or shut up and get over it!

Even the media has taken to this double standard. While working there, I had to come home every day and watch the "latest news" about TSA. What they're doing wrong, etc. Most of the regulations as to how they do their job is classified. Those regulations sometimes change weekly, or daily, depending on threat level, and the latest crap going through congress. Now how is the media, who is neither employed by TSA, or a member of congress, the ones to say whether or not they are doing their jobs properly? As of writing this article, I haven't worked for TSA in over two and a half years. No I won't discuss the policies that I had to follow either. I don't remember the NDA I had to sign, but I'm sure it's over by now. Those regs have probably already been changed. It would accomplish nothing, except to give fuel for the media zealots. The media instilled the fear into the public, and put it into everyone's head that the government should keep them safe. The public demanded that the government do this. The government did something about it. Now the media scrutinizes the government for what the media helped to create. The people need to wake up and read the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. It was created to protect the people from the government. So why are the people rolling over and giving the government so much power? More importantly, don't the people that work for the government (the people that in effect, are our government) realize that these laws also apply to them?

Now you're probably thinking I'm holding a double standard by writing this article against the television media. Not so. They have a right to report and say what they wish. However, the public has a responsibility to research what is reported, to find the real story behind it, and form opinions for themselves instead of being lead by sheep.

"Amendment I : Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This amendment gives the television media the right to say whatever they want. It also gives me the right to write this article speaking out against the television media. It also gives me the right to write to congress, various government officials, etc. addressing my issues with the laws that have been, or are about to be passed. Sadly however, when someone's first amendment rights are violated, most American's keep quiet, and let it happen. STOP!!! Each time you give up one of your rights, you are telling them it is ok to further violate your rights. When will the line be drawn? When we live in a dictatorship? Again, I blame the people for not fighting some of the draconian laws that exist today limiting free speech. Again I blame the people for not fighting when their rights are violated. Take your case through the system, and appeal if needed. Take it up to the supreme court. That's why it exists!

"Amendment II: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

This does not specifically give us the right to carry a gun anywhere we wish. However, it does give us the right to arm ourselves with a weapon to defend ourselves, and for the states to form their own private militia (army) to protect that state against the government and/or foreign invaders should the need arise. I bring up this amendment specifically in relation to the plane hijackings in 911. While at the time you were not allowed to carry a firearm on a plane, (never a good idea to shoot a hole in the plane your flying in) it gives you the right to use any other tool available to defend yourself. The passengers on the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center did not exercise this right. Instead they did what they were always taught and cooperated. Not only did they die in the crash, but by their inaction, many other lives were lost. The plane that crashed over Pennsylvania, they exercised this right. Perhaps a bit too late to save their pilot, but they did exercise it. Their plane crashed and they died. However, that plane never reached it's target, and lives were saved. For the people on that plane, I humbly salute them, and hope that if I am ever faced with that choice, that I will have enough courage to exercise that right. They were true Americans.

"Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Remember the Patriot Act that was hastily passed? It has been the center of controversy in many forums. I do not completely agree with this act. However, it has it's merits. Have you ever taken time to actually read it? Most of it actually attempts to clarify other laws. In the rare cases where it was used wrongfully, the system worked, and the courts sorted it out. However, it does open the door for the government to further encroach upon our freedoms later on. Read carefully, and always stay informed. Any new law is always tested to it's limit. As of the time of writing, the text of the US PATRIOT ACT can be found here.

http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html

It's a long read so be prepared. The media has also blown this one out of proportion, as well as spreading FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt). (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) This act is up for review soon, and with the nudging of your congressperson, the fuzzy parts will be sorted. (hint hint, write congress, let them know how you feel) My biggest gripe with it, is that it is extremely wordy, and difficult to understand. This in turn makes it difficult to interpret, which leads to people spreading FUD. It also makes great fuel for anti-government groups. (in my opinion, the DMCA is a bigger threat than the PATRIOT ACT, esp. since we already had the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, but I'll save that one for a future article) Check your local library, internet, etc. and please read and understand your constitutional rights. I've spent far too much time on this paragraph already and strayed a bit off topic. Let's move on.

Me personally, I'm not against government. I'm against oppressive government however. Our current system works. It's not without it's speed bumps. It takes time for new laws to be tested in court, revised, and eventually sorted out. The T.V. media outlets often take this process and hype it to get viewers to watch their show, so that they can in turn get more paid advertisements.

Another good example of media hype would be the war in IRAQ. For a while all I ever heard about was when a soldier would get killed, and I still hear about it. However, when you research the total number of American casualties in the IRAQ war versus the number of deaths in peace time training accidents, health problems, etc. There's not much of a difference. Yet you hear about all of our brave men and women getting killed. Please... In every war there are casualties. Me personally, I'd rather die fighting for what I believe in than in a freak training accident. The media needs a clue. It would be nice sometime to turn on the T.V. and see a story about the botanical gardens, or the latest and greatest *insert interesting invention here*. Ya know, news you could learn something from instead of listening to your neighbors cringe in fear, stockpile weapons, food, and water in their bomb shelters, etc. Or how about reporting on the SCO vs. *insert long list here* case. Most likely, they'd twist the facts on all of it. Ya know, a cannibalistic flower in the gardens, new invention kills little old lady then eats inventor, SCO poised to take over the world. *sigh*

Perhaps when we all turn off the T.V., go outside and do something enjoyable, get rid of the pasty deathlike skin tones, and the T.V. networks loose enough money to where they have to start listening to their viewers again. But always remember, you still have the freedom of press. Start your own magazine, website, or if you have enough funding, television station. Participate in various forums to voice your concerns. Even if you don't agree with everything I've mentioned in this article, please voice your opinions. The worst thing you can do is to do nothing. Don't willingly give up your rights! Don't willingly give up your freedom to think for yourself! Don't be lead by others! Don't even believe everything in this article! Research it for yourself!

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Note: The views in this article are solely my own and do not represent the views of anyone else. Your mileage may vary.