For example, does anyone not believe the GOP neocon echo-chamber is fast a work trying to ramp up to full-blown world-wide conflict for its own ulterior purpose (privatizing infrastructure, usurping public assets, and ironically invading our private lives and homes at the same time)? Pardadoxically, it's privatization for neocons and their corporate concerns, but public control of each individual, down to the (smaller-than-the-head-of-a-pin) human embyos and our DNA.
We get insufficient information about the extent of the Middle East conflict, and America's clandestine manipulation of it. Corporate news has become our news. And "what's good" for Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and other manufacturers of war has supplanted what's good for GM. You "gotta sell those missles and armanents." And you "gotta" have wars, they think but don't say.
International conflict is a tricky enterprise, but it is, unfortunately, an enterprise in this war-for-profit world. It's also complicated by real concerns of citizens of the world that we are being played once again. Just scare people enough. Just make us believe that if we don't support excess, one country will cease to exist. Maybe even our own. We want our nation, or another nation, to exist, so we give in yet again. This time, however, the stakes are higher.
With the exception of Air America Radio and Free Speech TV (which reach small numbers of voters), there's little traditional media coverage of alternative information. That is to say, information that isn't "embedded," and thus slanted. for example, except for on Free Speech TV, there's no coverage about how selling weapons systems for the eradication of civilians is illegal under US Law.
George W. Bush has, somewhat feebly, asked for restraint. He should say it more strongly -- and mean it. Restraint should be part of our mantra too. And so too should be "diplomatic solution." Wouldn't an echo of that be refreshing? We should have learned long ago that every time we meddle or divide counties up, we have perrennial problems.
No doubt, those who urge restraint, proportionality, negotiation, peace will be tarred and mislabeled. We will falsely charged with being against a people. We are not. Are not those who wish to prevent harm to a nation more nurturing than those who egg on senselesss violence and more iterations of the painful never-ending cycle? However, in conscience, we should not transmit to anyone or any country a blank check, including our own. My faith tells me I must stand with those who call for the following things, not join with purveyors of killing and destruction. So, let the echo begin: Restraint. Protect innocent civilians. Cease fire. Negotiation. Long-term agreements (kept). Peace. There's not a lot of time to waste.
(Note: This is a slightly edited version of one cross-posted on my blog at www.democracyupsidedown.blogspot.com)
Clearly this is one-sided coverage, and it is not the goal of that media to inform, but rather it is an aggressive effort to shape and control opinion by saturation. Calls for restraint are squeezed out, and even a casual channel surface will consume that view. This is not inconsistent with your statement that we get insufficient information.
On some topics there is silence. Rob recently diaried about the latest conviction in the MZM probe.
In doing so, he linked to an AP article in Hampton Roads. That article was picked up in newspapers across the country.
This story is receiving scant if any coverage by the mainstream media where it matters the most, in the 5th congressional district. Tampa, Cleveland and Sacramento carry this news, but Danville, Charlottesville and Lynchburg do not. As this story has unfolded, Katherine Harris has been covered in the news at about 100 times the rate of Goode when she received less MZM money than he did.
Certainly some 5th district residents get this information on the internet. But remember that the poorest counties in Virginia are in the 5th district; many people do not have internet. They rely on newspapers, television and radio for their news.
Typically in these situations letters to the editor are a recourse. I don't think that that short LTEs are sufficient to overcome media silence on a matter that is somewhat complex any more than blog echoes can overcome mainstream media echoes. It does make a dent.
A freely distributed print newsletter summarizing the MZM scandal would be total echo of facts and serve to counter the silence.
Good post.