I wish that the relatively more progressive outlets that do exist, like MSNBC, would refrain from the snarky and hyperbolic rhetoric that sometimes makes them sound like Faux News for the Left, and instead get into in depth investigative reporting and clear expositions of the political and economic games that are being played against us.…
I wish that the relatively more progressive outlets that do exist, like MSNBC, would refrain from the snarky and hyperbolic rhetoric that sometimes makes them sound like Faux News for the Left, and instead get into in depth investigative reporting and clear expositions of the political and economic games that are being played against us. Report on these issues in ways that the average high school graduate can easily understand, but that doesn't sound like Twitter or Facebook sass-back. That's often been my problem with "The Young Turks," for example. They're mostly reporting clear and important facts, and I really like them, but they sound like college kids at a campus rally, and their tone won't work to woo in more conservative people who might otherwise be questioning the right-wing agenda. There needs to be solid, factual reporting without the emotional and sarcastic overlay. I'm thinking Edward R. Murrow-style coverage. Serious journalism. Gravitas. And it should avoid any reference to Marxist thought, as "The Nation" sometimes falls into. Stand for fundamental Civil Rights, justice for all, and diversity, but avoid engaging too stridently in the so-called "Culture War" issues. Focus instead on the realities of how the Republican obsession with cutting taxes is destroying the middle class and driving our exorbitant deficits. How are the huge agricultural conglomerates ruining smaller farming and ranching operations? What are the dynamics of the Powell Memo and Citizens United? How are they destroying democracy? It's also important that it not just be a sounding board for Democratic Party talking points. It needs to be able to challenge and question that side as well, and expose their bad policies and malfeasance as readily as that on the right. In response to a similar article a while back, I offered that it might be an option to develop a publicly owned platform like NPR, of which we could become financially contributing members, perhaps even shareholders, one that would seek out further resources from smaller businesses and operations that are themselves threatened by ever-increasing consolidation and monopolization. Ultimately, this outlet would make its way into the major media markets around the country. I would be willing to donate well above what I normally give to causes and campaigns to support such a project. Of course, I confess to not having Thom's grasp of the nuts-and-bolts aspects of such an undertaking, so it's a nebulous idea at best. It nevertheless seems we can't wait for the Democratic Party or some beneficent progressive billionaire to step in and turn the tide. It may take We the People.
And I just saw that there seems to be a space limit for posts, so in case the last the above post is cut off, here it is: "It nevertheless seems we can't wait for the Democratic Party or some beneficent progressive billionaire to step in and turn the tide. It may take We the People."
I wish that the relatively more progressive outlets that do exist, like MSNBC, would refrain from the snarky and hyperbolic rhetoric that sometimes makes them sound like Faux News for the Left, and instead get into in depth investigative reporting and clear expositions of the political and economic games that are being played against us. Report on these issues in ways that the average high school graduate can easily understand, but that doesn't sound like Twitter or Facebook sass-back. That's often been my problem with "The Young Turks," for example. They're mostly reporting clear and important facts, and I really like them, but they sound like college kids at a campus rally, and their tone won't work to woo in more conservative people who might otherwise be questioning the right-wing agenda. There needs to be solid, factual reporting without the emotional and sarcastic overlay. I'm thinking Edward R. Murrow-style coverage. Serious journalism. Gravitas. And it should avoid any reference to Marxist thought, as "The Nation" sometimes falls into. Stand for fundamental Civil Rights, justice for all, and diversity, but avoid engaging too stridently in the so-called "Culture War" issues. Focus instead on the realities of how the Republican obsession with cutting taxes is destroying the middle class and driving our exorbitant deficits. How are the huge agricultural conglomerates ruining smaller farming and ranching operations? What are the dynamics of the Powell Memo and Citizens United? How are they destroying democracy? It's also important that it not just be a sounding board for Democratic Party talking points. It needs to be able to challenge and question that side as well, and expose their bad policies and malfeasance as readily as that on the right. In response to a similar article a while back, I offered that it might be an option to develop a publicly owned platform like NPR, of which we could become financially contributing members, perhaps even shareholders, one that would seek out further resources from smaller businesses and operations that are themselves threatened by ever-increasing consolidation and monopolization. Ultimately, this outlet would make its way into the major media markets around the country. I would be willing to donate well above what I normally give to causes and campaigns to support such a project. Of course, I confess to not having Thom's grasp of the nuts-and-bolts aspects of such an undertaking, so it's a nebulous idea at best. It nevertheless seems we can't wait for the Democratic Party or some beneficent progressive billionaire to step in and turn the tide. It may take We the People.
And I just saw that there seems to be a space limit for posts, so in case the last the above post is cut off, here it is: "It nevertheless seems we can't wait for the Democratic Party or some beneficent progressive billionaire to step in and turn the tide. It may take We the People."