Isn't it funny how the MSM polling seems to *always* result in some "generic republican" attaining 'front-runner' status before the real thinkers and voters in the party have even thought it through?
Mitt Romney? Jon Huntsman? Gary Johnson? Tim Pawlenty? Really???
Artificial, Centrist, Contrived, and Vanilla. Yet, those are the choices the MSM wants us to believe are electable. They don't want you to think. They want you to accept their conventional wisdom.
The two most exciting people in (or not yet in) the race are dismissed as crackpots and unelectable. The two most genuine 'candidates' out there so terrify the MSM that they are actively trying to minimize (Cain) or destroy (Palin) them before they gain enough traction with the People.
Forget the artfully edited sound bites designed to destroy these people. Remember that these people are a direct threat to the progressive machine and the enablers in the Media. The American Press has more in common with the USSR's Pravda, than Russia Today does now. In fact, I would propose that a fairer treatment of events and candidates in the American news would be found on RT than on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, or even Fox.
So, do you own research. Ignore the 'presumptive nominee' crap coming from biased push-polls. Go out and actually LISTEN to the candidates in their own words and in context. Then you might see that those people labeled 'unelectable' just might be better qualified to lead than the ones currently 'leading'.
Newbius
|||
Showing posts with label biased reporting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biased reporting. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
What do you say?
What do you say, when it is all being said by others? What topic should be dealt with, what insight can I give?
Such are the questions that run through my mind when blogfodder is thin. I run through Drudge, and PuffHo, and the Daily Kooks, and I wonder. How much more of the same we can talk about and still remain sane?
When Woodward and Bernstein were exposing the crimes of the Nixon administration, it was good for the country. When I was old enough to appreciate it, I saw the value of an inquisitive press. When the same press was trying to generate scandal against Ronald Reagan, I saw the destructive force of ideology attempting to use the same power of the press to bring down a great man.
Witness the press actions through Clinton and GWB, and you see this ideologically-driven press get more biased, more divisive, and begin the process of institutional lying to promote agendas.
And now, we have Obama as president. What started out 40 years ago as independent journalism (yes, even then with a bias, but with a willingness to tell the story regardless of outcome) has now become dependent propagandism. Journalists are no longer even pretending to offer fealty to journalistic ethics, or unbiased story-telling. They no longer seek to hold the government accountable to the people. They no longer care about truth. Nowadays, they only care about access.
Access? Really? Come on, guys. Any government which attempts to bribe or coerce reporters with promises of (or threats to withhold) access to them is corrupt. Any journalist which falls for the ruse is corrupt, and lazy.
Think about this. If the government needs to get information out, it either must co-opt the airwaves, or announce a press briefing. In either case, the government will tell its side of whatever story is breaking. The real journalists will ask the uncomfortable questions of these mouthpieces and get them to comment on the real workings or issues. We are not seeing this any more. The editors are protecting their access, at the expense of their integrity.
The truth of the matter is this: The government needs access to the reporter, and will seek them out if they need a story told. The reporter does not need the government mouthpiece. They seem to have forgotten this.
Chris Muir puts out a comic strip with insightful political commentary called 'Day by Day' (over there on the sidebar). With immense clarity, Chris has accurately portrayed the White House Press Corps during the briefing. A fine example of this is HERE. Instead of an independent press asking insightful questions in order that the people can get the real skinny on the workings of our government, we get fawning empty-headed acolytes bowing to their masters.
So I am left with the question: What do you say? What do you say to your kids when they ask why everybody on TV is shouting at each other? What do you say when the reportage and the reality have an obvious disconnect? What do you say when the policies being proposed have a history of failure and worse, yet they are reported with no hint of irony as the solution to our ills? What do you say when you see agencies of your government exempt themselves from the laws that they impose on the People? What do you say?
What would Patrick Henry say?
And, Patrick Henry also said this: "For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." These are words to live by.
Open your eyes and look for the truth. For objective truth is, and no amount of dissembling will make it less so. The Truth shall set you free.
Newbius
Such are the questions that run through my mind when blogfodder is thin. I run through Drudge, and PuffHo, and the Daily Kooks, and I wonder. How much more of the same we can talk about and still remain sane?
When Woodward and Bernstein were exposing the crimes of the Nixon administration, it was good for the country. When I was old enough to appreciate it, I saw the value of an inquisitive press. When the same press was trying to generate scandal against Ronald Reagan, I saw the destructive force of ideology attempting to use the same power of the press to bring down a great man.
Witness the press actions through Clinton and GWB, and you see this ideologically-driven press get more biased, more divisive, and begin the process of institutional lying to promote agendas.
And now, we have Obama as president. What started out 40 years ago as independent journalism (yes, even then with a bias, but with a willingness to tell the story regardless of outcome) has now become dependent propagandism. Journalists are no longer even pretending to offer fealty to journalistic ethics, or unbiased story-telling. They no longer seek to hold the government accountable to the people. They no longer care about truth. Nowadays, they only care about access.
Access? Really? Come on, guys. Any government which attempts to bribe or coerce reporters with promises of (or threats to withhold) access to them is corrupt. Any journalist which falls for the ruse is corrupt, and lazy.
Think about this. If the government needs to get information out, it either must co-opt the airwaves, or announce a press briefing. In either case, the government will tell its side of whatever story is breaking. The real journalists will ask the uncomfortable questions of these mouthpieces and get them to comment on the real workings or issues. We are not seeing this any more. The editors are protecting their access, at the expense of their integrity.
The truth of the matter is this: The government needs access to the reporter, and will seek them out if they need a story told. The reporter does not need the government mouthpiece. They seem to have forgotten this.
Chris Muir puts out a comic strip with insightful political commentary called 'Day by Day' (over there on the sidebar). With immense clarity, Chris has accurately portrayed the White House Press Corps during the briefing. A fine example of this is HERE. Instead of an independent press asking insightful questions in order that the people can get the real skinny on the workings of our government, we get fawning empty-headed acolytes bowing to their masters.
So I am left with the question: What do you say? What do you say to your kids when they ask why everybody on TV is shouting at each other? What do you say when the reportage and the reality have an obvious disconnect? What do you say when the policies being proposed have a history of failure and worse, yet they are reported with no hint of irony as the solution to our ills? What do you say when you see agencies of your government exempt themselves from the laws that they impose on the People? What do you say?
What would Patrick Henry say?
"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them."
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."
"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience."
"I know of no way of judging the future but by the past."
"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?"
"When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object."
"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"
And, Patrick Henry also said this: "For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it." These are words to live by.
Open your eyes and look for the truth. For objective truth is, and no amount of dissembling will make it less so. The Truth shall set you free.
Newbius
Monday, December 14, 2009
Statistics
Recently, there has been some media interest in firearms deaths at the hands of Carry Permit holders. The sensational nature of the reports would lead one to believe that people who own firearms are reckless, crazy, and liable to go off at any moment and begin mowing down unsuspecting citizens in a fit of rage.
Since the thread that holds these reports together is purportedly the firearm itself, I delved deep into government statistics on actual firearms-related deaths. Then, I compared these deaths to the total of all deaths in the United States, using 2006 data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) WISQARS database query system, located here. The year 2006 was chosen as it is the most current data available that is searchable in the database.
Without further ado, here are the top 20 Leading Causes of Death in the Unites States:
1. Heart Disease-------------------- 631,636
2. Malignant Neoplasms-(Cancer)--- 559,888
3. Cerebro-vascular-(Stroke)---- 137,119
4. Chronic Low-Respiratory Disease-- 124,584
5. Diabetes Mellitus---------------- 72,449
6. Alzheimer's Disease-------------- 72,432
7. Influenza and Pneumonia---------- 56,326
8. Nephritis---(Kidney Disease)------- 45,344
9. Motor Vehicle Accidents---------- 43,664
10. Septicemia----------------------- 34,234
Pause here to consider that firearms deaths are not even in the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. At 30,316 aggregate (Suicides, Homicides, and Accidents), firearms-related deaths would place 11th overall. However, it is worth noting that the firearms-related deaths are broken down by the CDC into the above 3 categories for a reason. When we think of firearms-related deaths, most people think of Homicides and Accidents. For the sake of clarity, I will break down the remaining 10 categories for you and let you draw your own conclusions. Also, for clarity, I have broken down "Unintentional Injury", "Suicide", and "Homicide" to show where firearms-related deaths fall on the spectrum.
Note- This is where the "liars with statistics" usually enter the following: (Total Suicides - All causes - 33,300 and Total firearms-related deaths - All types - 30,316). See the rest of the table for the real breakdown.
11. Liver Disease--------------------- 27,555
12. Accidental Poisonings------------- 27,531
13. Hypertension---------------------- 23,855
14. Accidental Falls------------------ 20,823
15. Parkinson's Disease--------------- 19,556
16. Pneumonitis----------------------- 16,887
17. Suicide by firearm---------------- 16,883
18. Suicide by other means------------ 16,417
19. Perinatal Period------------------ 14,442
20. Benign Neoplasms------------------ 14,122
So where are Homicides? In the aggregate, they would fall between Parkinson's Disease and Pneumonitis at 18,573. But, like suicides I broke that category down so I could get to the homicides-by-firearm. Here is the rest of the list:
21. Aortic Aneurysm------------------- 13,238
22. Homicide by Firearm -------------- 12,791
23. HIV------------------------------- 12,113
24. Unspecified Accidental Injuries--- 6,345
25. Suffocation-(Accidental)---------- 5,912
26. Homicides non-firearms------------ 5,782
Accidental deaths by firearm totaled 642, or 16th overall on the "Accidental causes of death" statistics. More people died in pedestrian fatalities (1,141) and machinery accidents (740).
Given the hysterical nature of the Media reports relating to "gun violence", "Firearm deaths", and "Shooting Deaths" reported regularly, one could conclude that the proper exercise of your Second Amendment rights places you and those around you at great risk of harm. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, you are placing yourself more at risk by properly eating that plate of Chicken Alfredo, or driving to the range, than you are from properly using that firearm when you get there.
Pax,
Newbius
Since the thread that holds these reports together is purportedly the firearm itself, I delved deep into government statistics on actual firearms-related deaths. Then, I compared these deaths to the total of all deaths in the United States, using 2006 data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) WISQARS database query system, located here. The year 2006 was chosen as it is the most current data available that is searchable in the database.
Without further ado, here are the top 20 Leading Causes of Death in the Unites States:
1. Heart Disease-------------------- 631,636
2. Malignant Neoplasms-(Cancer)--- 559,888
3. Cerebro-vascular-(Stroke)---- 137,119
4. Chronic Low-Respiratory Disease-- 124,584
5. Diabetes Mellitus---------------- 72,449
6. Alzheimer's Disease-------------- 72,432
7. Influenza and Pneumonia---------- 56,326
8. Nephritis---(Kidney Disease)------- 45,344
9. Motor Vehicle Accidents---------- 43,664
10. Septicemia----------------------- 34,234
Pause here to consider that firearms deaths are not even in the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. At 30,316 aggregate (Suicides, Homicides, and Accidents), firearms-related deaths would place 11th overall. However, it is worth noting that the firearms-related deaths are broken down by the CDC into the above 3 categories for a reason. When we think of firearms-related deaths, most people think of Homicides and Accidents. For the sake of clarity, I will break down the remaining 10 categories for you and let you draw your own conclusions. Also, for clarity, I have broken down "Unintentional Injury", "Suicide", and "Homicide" to show where firearms-related deaths fall on the spectrum.
Note- This is where the "liars with statistics" usually enter the following: (Total Suicides - All causes - 33,300 and Total firearms-related deaths - All types - 30,316). See the rest of the table for the real breakdown.
11. Liver Disease--------------------- 27,555
12. Accidental Poisonings------------- 27,531
13. Hypertension---------------------- 23,855
14. Accidental Falls------------------ 20,823
15. Parkinson's Disease--------------- 19,556
16. Pneumonitis----------------------- 16,887
17. Suicide by firearm---------------- 16,883
18. Suicide by other means------------ 16,417
19. Perinatal Period------------------ 14,442
20. Benign Neoplasms------------------ 14,122
So where are Homicides? In the aggregate, they would fall between Parkinson's Disease and Pneumonitis at 18,573. But, like suicides I broke that category down so I could get to the homicides-by-firearm. Here is the rest of the list:
21. Aortic Aneurysm------------------- 13,238
22. Homicide by Firearm -------------- 12,791
23. HIV------------------------------- 12,113
24. Unspecified Accidental Injuries--- 6,345
25. Suffocation-(Accidental)---------- 5,912
26. Homicides non-firearms------------ 5,782
Accidental deaths by firearm totaled 642, or 16th overall on the "Accidental causes of death" statistics. More people died in pedestrian fatalities (1,141) and machinery accidents (740).
Given the hysterical nature of the Media reports relating to "gun violence", "Firearm deaths", and "Shooting Deaths" reported regularly, one could conclude that the proper exercise of your Second Amendment rights places you and those around you at great risk of harm. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, you are placing yourself more at risk by properly eating that plate of Chicken Alfredo, or driving to the range, than you are from properly using that firearm when you get there.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9-12 protest rally in DC
Spent all day in DC at the rally. I will post tomorrow with pictures.
The "mainstream" media is reporting "tens of thousands". Pffftt!
I was there. It is only "tens of thousands" if you are just counting the people in front of your building...
At 11:30, the Park Police was leaking figures in excess of 1 million. Judging from some of the wide-angle shots from webcams, figures around 2 million are not unreasonable guesses.
That is "tens of thousands" x "tens of thousands"...
ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC/MSNBC, WashingtonPost, and the NYT (registration required for both...sorry) can spin it all they want, but this tells the story better than I can right now.
More tomorrow...
Pax,
Newbius
The "mainstream" media is reporting "tens of thousands". Pffftt!
I was there. It is only "tens of thousands" if you are just counting the people in front of your building...
At 11:30, the Park Police was leaking figures in excess of 1 million. Judging from some of the wide-angle shots from webcams, figures around 2 million are not unreasonable guesses.
That is "tens of thousands" x "tens of thousands"...
ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC/MSNBC, WashingtonPost, and the NYT (registration required for both...sorry) can spin it all they want, but this tells the story better than I can right now.
More tomorrow...
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I can't say something nice
So I am not going to say anything at all about the passing of Edward Kennedy.
Newbius
|||
Newbius
|||
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Astro-truth
Sorry. I didn't get in to the conference call with Axelrod.
It isn't like there were going to be any bombshells going off, though. We have read the playbook and seen it in action. It goes something like this:
Protesting "Teabaggers" are un-American and are tools of the insurance lobby.
The protesters are the violent ones, and our purple-shirtedgoons union enforcers volunteers are just victims who want what's best for the people.
Violent right-wing extremists are now bringing guns to peaceful gatherings. So we need todemonize and marginalize shine the light of truth on them to show how they are out of the mainstream.
Even though we are paid-for tools of Soros and the Pharmaceutical industry (of which Soros owns a pretty chunk), we only wantpower over you you to have the best choices possible for your health care.
Right.
And the beat goes on.
The Truth? Real citizens are getting active and the more they learn about what's REALLY in the bill, the less they like it. Heck, even I can take a few days to read the bill. Unlike John Conyers... So, the obvious truth is that the Democrats are trying to frame the message, and are lying brazenly and openly to our faces, and the enabling media is white-washing it and covering for them.
I can tell you this much. If I go to a town hall myself, I can understand the logic of carrying a means of self-defense with me. The last thing I want is a confrontation with 2 or 3 or 6 300-pound goons trying to intimidate me into compliance with their views or silence about mine. This is America, for God's sake! If you Dems cannot get your message across in a manner that makes the people support you, then you deserve to lose the next election. Bringing in thugs to beat up the opposition only invites violence in return. And if your thugs continue to escalate, you might find you have a real fight on your hands.
All this over power you are not even authorized to wield in this Republic. Think about that one Nancy and Steny. Think about that one Mister President. Your constitutional authority does not extend into mandatory government-run health care.
Try respecting that.
Pax,
Newbius
It isn't like there were going to be any bombshells going off, though. We have read the playbook and seen it in action. It goes something like this:
Protesting "Teabaggers" are un-American and are tools of the insurance lobby.
The protesters are the violent ones, and our purple-shirted
Violent right-wing extremists are now bringing guns to peaceful gatherings. So we need to
Even though we are paid-for tools of Soros and the Pharmaceutical industry (of which Soros owns a pretty chunk), we only want
Right.
And the beat goes on.
The Truth? Real citizens are getting active and the more they learn about what's REALLY in the bill, the less they like it. Heck, even I can take a few days to read the bill. Unlike John Conyers... So, the obvious truth is that the Democrats are trying to frame the message, and are lying brazenly and openly to our faces, and the enabling media is white-washing it and covering for them.
I can tell you this much. If I go to a town hall myself, I can understand the logic of carrying a means of self-defense with me. The last thing I want is a confrontation with 2 or 3 or 6 300-pound goons trying to intimidate me into compliance with their views or silence about mine. This is America, for God's sake! If you Dems cannot get your message across in a manner that makes the people support you, then you deserve to lose the next election. Bringing in thugs to beat up the opposition only invites violence in return. And if your thugs continue to escalate, you might find you have a real fight on your hands.
All this over power you are not even authorized to wield in this Republic. Think about that one Nancy and Steny. Think about that one Mister President. Your constitutional authority does not extend into mandatory government-run health care.
Try respecting that.
Pax,
Newbius
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Miami Burger King Shooting
Breaking news from Miami today. A legally-armed customer at a Burger King prevents a robbery, kills the bad guy and sustains some wounds himself in the exchange of gunfire.
Lesson One: It pays to train. If you carry it, TRAIN WITH IT! The CWP Holder killed the thug, but sustained gunshot wounds himself. I suspect that (and cannot prove, hence I am speculating) the armed citizen was a bit more proficient with his weapon than the robber was.
Lesson Two: See lesson one, add additional training in close quarters combat to reduce the chance that you will wind up in the hospital too.
Lesson Three: ALWAYS be at least Condition Yellow when going about your daily business. You never know when or if you may be called upon to intervene for your own safety.
Lesson Four: Leave it to Google News and CBS to describe the would-be Robber as a victim. This link is to the CBS4 story page, but is shown on the Google News Search page as "Victim Dies In Miami Burger King Shooting". Media Bias is still alive and well...even in Florida.
The two newspaper links on the same search page showed just the facts. Just as it should be.
Pax,
Newbius
Lesson One: It pays to train. If you carry it, TRAIN WITH IT! The CWP Holder killed the thug, but sustained gunshot wounds himself. I suspect that (and cannot prove, hence I am speculating) the armed citizen was a bit more proficient with his weapon than the robber was.
Lesson Two: See lesson one, add additional training in close quarters combat to reduce the chance that you will wind up in the hospital too.
Lesson Three: ALWAYS be at least Condition Yellow when going about your daily business. You never know when or if you may be called upon to intervene for your own safety.
Lesson Four: Leave it to Google News and CBS to describe the would-be Robber as a victim. This link is to the CBS4 story page, but is shown on the Google News Search page as "Victim Dies In Miami Burger King Shooting". Media Bias is still alive and well...even in Florida.
The two newspaper links on the same search page showed just the facts. Just as it should be.
Pax,
Newbius
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Woodstock High School lockdown
Reported a few minutes ago, from Woodstock, GA:
Woodstock High School Latest School to go on lockdown
2 teens, aged 15 and 17, were arrested after one of them turned himself in.
A search warrant was issued for the home, and 2 ugly black guns were found with ammunition. There is a lot of information still to be reported, but I find the reporting of Gary Davis somewhat biased: "After the gun was located a search warrant was ordered for the home of one of the students. It was quite scary when two assault rifles were found along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition."
Quite scary?
What is scary is that the people doing the reporting haven't been the least bit objective in their portrayal of the incident. Joe Friday would say "Just the facts, Ma'am".
I do not support or condone gun violence at schools. I do not support or condone minors carrying firearms unsupervised. I do not support or condone any illegal use of a weapon.
I also do not support or condone biased reporting and opinion masquerading as objective journalism. "Just the facts" is all I am after. The implication that ownership of "assault rifles" and hundreds of rounds of ammunition automatically makes a person evil just turns my stomach.
Grow up Gary! LOTS of people own ugly black guns, handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles. MOST of these same people ALSO have "hundreds of rounds" of ammunition for them. So what?!! Un-bunch your panties, man up a little, and deal with it. If any laws were broken, then I am SURE that the enlightened law enforcement officers and the esteemed legal system in Georgia will deal with it appropriately. If they do not, then you have MUCH BIGGER problems in Georgia than it appears so far.
|||
Pax,
Newbius
Woodstock High School Latest School to go on lockdown
2 teens, aged 15 and 17, were arrested after one of them turned himself in.
A search warrant was issued for the home, and 2 ugly black guns were found with ammunition. There is a lot of information still to be reported, but I find the reporting of Gary Davis somewhat biased: "After the gun was located a search warrant was ordered for the home of one of the students. It was quite scary when two assault rifles were found along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition."
Quite scary?
What is scary is that the people doing the reporting haven't been the least bit objective in their portrayal of the incident. Joe Friday would say "Just the facts, Ma'am".
I do not support or condone gun violence at schools. I do not support or condone minors carrying firearms unsupervised. I do not support or condone any illegal use of a weapon.
I also do not support or condone biased reporting and opinion masquerading as objective journalism. "Just the facts" is all I am after. The implication that ownership of "assault rifles" and hundreds of rounds of ammunition automatically makes a person evil just turns my stomach.
Grow up Gary! LOTS of people own ugly black guns, handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles. MOST of these same people ALSO have "hundreds of rounds" of ammunition for them. So what?!! Un-bunch your panties, man up a little, and deal with it. If any laws were broken, then I am SURE that the enlightened law enforcement officers and the esteemed legal system in Georgia will deal with it appropriately. If they do not, then you have MUCH BIGGER problems in Georgia than it appears so far.
|||
Pax,
Newbius
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)