American Media: why are they afraid of George Walker Bush*?

[Q]

- In watching the media over the last three years...they actually seem afraid to report negative stories about Bush* or his family.

- It's clear that PART of the reason is that a majority of the media is owned/controlled by wealthy conservatives who share the Bush family ideology and agenda. But that doesn't answer the question as to why many formerly 'respected' journalists are also staying away from exposing the shady and criminal side of the Bush* administration.

- I see the same kind of 'fear' coming from many Democrats. No one wants to talk about the glaring inconsistencies, unprecedented secrecy and transparent malfeasance.

- Is it fear of retaliation? Collusion? Complicity? Are they afraid to expose the inner workings of the Bush crime family?

- The media and loyal opposition has never been this afraid to confront or investigate a 'sitting' president. They're afraid and I'd like to know why.

[sweetheart]

1. hate crimes

I think the answer, Q, is in why we only speak on this forum under monikers, rather than using a megaphone on the washtington mall in person.

I know damn well, were i to speak out in public, i'd be attacked by the neocons. If you've ever gotten anonymous hate mail, it can cause serious reflection.

I'm saying they're afraid to lose their jobs, lose their lives, families, car tyres, and whatever else they value. The republicans are an evil gang, and they attack to kill... but they are a dumb gang, and they only attack what they can "see".

[Q]

3. Anyone else remember an interview with Dan Rather...

...where he said something about the reasons why the media is afraid of Bush*?

- I believe some reporters are being intimidated and threatened. Others are simply paid off and have sold out the ideal of the free press.

- But what about the Democrats? Why are they so seemingly afraid of this guy?

[sweetheart]

8. What about the Democratic slippery slope.

When the democratic party stands for democracy and justice, and not lesser evils, perhaps... but when was that?

The democratic party is republican-lite... leaving the green party as the only real opposition... which makes me a green voting realpolitik as a democrat.

The republican-lite party is afraid of being cut off from the republican media and the facist connections of the aristocracy, as they are not really "democrats" rather "Democrats". The problem, i believe is that the democratic party has had the wrong name all this time... it should be the "mediocrity party", and then a new party can form "liberal democrats" that carries the real standard for all the values we call american.

None of them are afraid, but we're standing on a party platform made of republican clay, and they pull the corporate strings to undermine whomever stands on it. Is that fear of a criminal like *?

[Upfront]

14. Our Presidential Candidates

Most of our candidates have spoke strongly against B###. Some stronger then others, some not at all, as they mostly seem to agree with B###. You can decide who is what. No flame intended. Do our candidates have body guards? Do They stay off small airplanes? Tin foil hat if you please, but my fear for some of them is very real.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Possibly this BBC interview?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/archive/2029634.stm

"It's an obscene comparison but there was a time in South Africa when people would put flaming tyres around people's necks if they dissented. In some ways, the fear is that you will be neck-laced here, you will have a flaming tyre of lack of patriotism put around your neck. It's that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions and to continue to bore-in on the tough questions so often. Again, I'm humbled to say I do not except myself from this criticism."

[meti57b]

13. I don't think the Dems are afraid of bush, but ....

with 50% of the country generally enthusiastically supporting bush and believing Saddam hit the WTC, I think Dems believe that to oppose what bush says and does would be their political suicide. I think this is why Dems in Congress supported the war.

Knocking the voters is no way to get their votes but I have to say it: half the country is brainless and gullible. Even folks who are otherwise fairly bright are seem to be lacking in any common sense.

[maggrwaggr]

28. Wellstone, Carnahan ....?

After seeing Kean's turn-around performance last week I'm convinced that the BFEE is no better than the Soprano family.

They make offers you can't refuse in other words.

And why not? They obviously have no respect for human life.

[HootieMcBoob]

38. There is a Greg Palast interview with Rather

that was done on the BBC. Rather speakes of the fear journalists in this country have of being "necklaced"

BUZZFLASH: But this is what's interesting is that here's this very powerful American journalist -- broadcaster who said in the interview, and I'm quoting: "It is an obscene comparison -- you know, I'm not sure I like it -- but, you know, there was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tires around people's necks if they dissented."

And Dan Rather is referring to how stifling it was for anyone, including him, to talk or criticize or ask tough questions about the Bush administration after September 11th. What's your comment about that? It is deeply strange that he is saying that not on American TV, but over in England.

GREG PALAST: The producer of my program says, well, why don't we ask Dan Rather to come on and talk about this kind of unbelievable influence of the U.S. government on Hollywood. So he really started out with this stuff about how Hollywood has been really changing all its films to go along with whatever the Defense Department wants. Like "Black Hawk Down," for example. The Defense Department changed something on every single page of the script apparently.

The producers said we'd like to interview Dan Rather. And I said he'll never agree to talk. But apparently he was in kind of a confessional mode here. Maybe he knows about my stuff that you can say whatever the hell you want on BBC Television and it will never get back to America. His comments somehow never made it back across the Atlantic.

[number6]

40. yes , he said something about a flaming tire around neck

-figuritively speaking-
interview was in Britton, BBC I think

[ClintonTyree]

2. They're not afraid...............

they're abetting the reich. There's plenty good money to be made, by supplying the tools of the trade (why am I quoting musicians today, Country Joe on that one).
They're making tons of money by abetting the Bush administration. That's the bottom line for any company, profits. If satan himself were President, and the media stood to make huge profits, they'd turn him into christ in the blink of an eye. $$$$$$$$$$ that's what it's all about.

[Q]

5. I can understand why those like Ollie North sold out...

...because he essentially was kept out of prison in exchange for his feeding lies to the masses.

- But then...the Bush* admin. is full of ex-felons and shady characters. Could it be that BushCo is nothing more than an organized crime family that has taken control of the US government?

- What other explanation can there be for the media ignoring SO MANY scandals? They even covered up the treasonous act of the outing of a CIA agent. What the hell is going on?

[leftofthedial]

19. Could it be?

Could it be that BushCo is nothing more than an organized crime family that has taken control of the US government?

well . . . .duh!

They run the country like a gang runs a neighborhood. They intimidate throught the range of tactics cataloged throughout this thread:

Outright ownership of large swaths of the media and its message, which enables propaganca and mass indoctrination on an unprecedented scale.

Implementation of a defacto police state, where their power to intimidate is unchecked.

Bribery--paying off would-be critics.

Threats, both implicit and explicit, of tarring dissenters as unpatriotic or even terrorists or traitors (then actually carrying out these threats when needed).

Threats, both implicit and explicit, of ruining the reputations of dissenters through humiliating "justice" department investigations or through scandal mongering (then actually carrying out these threats when needed).

Threats, both implicit and explicit, of physical harm to critics and/or their families (then actually carrying out these threats when needed).

Threats, both implicit and explicit, of massive carnage if dissenters persist. 9-11, the anthrax mailings, possible future LIHOP/MIHOP events, the terrorism alerts (indeed the "War" itself), the propaganda during the run-up to the Iraq invasion, and the repeated warnings about the death the "evil doers" could meet out if the Bush GOPNAC Cabal doesn't "protect" us are examples.

They are textbook extortionists.

[demvoter]

9. Can you say (please dont delete post, just an example of hate group)

Patriot Act?

Its scary out there these days. The repugs are trying to win thru intimidation and its working!

Just go on Move-on.org and see how the right-wing loonies have taken over the forum "great goals" that is supposedly a left-wing group.
The attacks on Dems is so vicious and vile that the majority of us couldn't take the hits anymore and left...letting "them" have at it.

If you want to have fun with the most vile vicious right-wing fringe group go there and see what I am talking about if you have the stomach for that type thing. :hurts:

Here is just one small example of::puke:

FROM MOVE-ON.ORG (a Dem Group):


"..........you peanut butter packing, pipe smoking, caving into terrorism and disgruntled minorities swine!! My name is Mr. Dunkle.
Remember: it is the democratic party that is associated with self hating whites, racist blacks, disfunctional gays, and illegal immigrants. This alliance of gay-liberal elitists will say and do anything to stay in power.
Example: G. Davis, recently disposed gov. of California. That homosexual passed a law allowing illegal immigrants to obtain a state drivers license. Stupid faggot! He should have known that would cost him.
- D. Dunkle, penis taste-tester (December 19, 2003; san francisco, ca)"



Disgusting huh? And this is allowed along with porn, abortion pix and spam. Group of us have emailed the owners of the site to no avail, they just continue to allow the freeKers to post crap like this.

:kick: repugs and bu$h out now!!!

[Spirochete]

37. Move-on.org is a freeper site, not a dem site

moveon.org is a Dem site, but I assume the wingnuts, with their usual flair for originality, ""borrowed" the name for their own site.

[Mairead]

35. Exactly. It's not fear at all, it's collusion

The idea I've seen bruted about at DU that they can't speak up for fear of losing their access...that's unbearably pathetic. Can't we just imagine: 'Our reporter is ignored for the sixth week! Who do the Bush administration think they are?! Their refusal to respond to or even listen to legitimate questions asked on behalf of the people is outrageous. ...getting above themselves...high and mighty...what are they trying to hide' etc.


No, they're in cahoots. Anyone who thinks differently is presumably still writing to Santa every year.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. A combination of replies 1 and 2.... (eom)

[izzie]

6. Money means power to most people.Do not step on power.

It is an old thing. Power and money talk. Just think of a small city with a home town newspaper and how it worked. The man who owned the paper played to the people who paid for the ads. If he could slant or drop a story to help someone that gave him say 1% of his income he would. Of course there have always been papers to play to different groups so we get different stories. But then I had to do a term at college when I was very young on this stuff. Bush and Co are spending off the tax payers money and big business has its hands out. It is a story that they do not want spelled out dayly.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. All of the above and

I think another part of it is that for so long the media has been accused of being a left-wing conspiracy. That framing by conservatives has cause the media to keep in check any criticism of the right and openly criticise anything about the left. Since Bush is the poster child for the neocons (though I can think of much better places to stick his mug), the best way to keep the ratings and thusly the advertising dollars, is to fawn and glow over Bush and all that he touches.

Not one of them has figured out the marketing strategy of Fox is simply niche marketing. It's a numbers game that Fox has been very successful at to their chagrin, so they now all Fox wannabes. Sad, isn't it?

[KelleyKramer]

10. What would happen if you told the truth?

Think about it ..


If you worked for FOX News, and you were a reporter who was employed there.

And you went on tv on FOX News channel and reported that George Bush grand-father was the banker for Adolph Hitler.

And you said on national tv that GW's family had their bank seized by the US government for 'trading with the enemy' when we were fighting Hitler in WWII.

Even though that is completely true ...

As a reporter working for them, what do you think they would do to you for reporting that truthful news??

Face it, that fact will never be reported to the American public.

It will never happen, and if you even tried to report the facts you would be fired in a heart beat and never work again as a reporter.

We do not have a free press in the US.

Those are the cold hard facts, the sooner you face it the sooner you will understand why 70% of Americans think that Saddum was behind the 911 attacks.

Its all a lie. Its ridiculous. But its happening right in front of all of us.

[Robbien]

21. You only have to watch Thomas Kean to see what happens

when you tell the truth. He makes a statement with confidence that there is blame to be had about preventing 9-11. Then 12 hours later you see him stuttering, stammering and looking over his shoulder. He backtracts very carefully, deathly afraid he may say some word some unseen force may not like.

[grok]

12. 2 reasons...

War. Or rather the fear of war. Unlike the cold war where we were dealing with an adversary that wanted to prevail, that adversary STILL wanted to live.

This is different. The adversary doesn't care where he lives or dies. It can't be reasoned with. Nobody is absolutely sure what to do. What is the best strategy. And in that climate much of the public and media often ceeds to the powers that be. Even if he is a fool.

The second reason is Faux. Faux is EXTREMELY successful and has captured HUGE chunks of the other network's market. They have been fighting back by trying to duplicate Faux's false patriotism, news shows and talk formats. And yes, duplicating the conservative spin. They are failing ,btw. They would be better off going for a fresh, new market. A Liberal spin one. But they don't want to take the risk.

Grok

[dansolo]

15. One word... Anthrax

Who hear believes that the BFEE wasn't behind the anthrax attacks. While I am hesitant about believing MIHOP for the attacks on 9/11, I am much more willing to believe that the anthrax attacks were an inside job.

[RBHam]

22. The anthrax attacks go hand in hand with LIHOP/MIHOP

One can't exist without the other.

It was a co-ordinated event.

[Jawja]

23. Yes, ANTHRAX

Remember who got the Anthrax after Sept. 11? Democratic congressional leaders and the anchors of the 3 major broadcast networks. Of course, it was secretaries and administrative people who opened the envelopes and got exposed, but the message was clear.

Remember that the first person to get the Anthrax and who died was the tabloid writer who published the picture of a drunk Jenna Bush on the front page of the tabloid.

This is so very obvious. The Anthrax murderer won't be found because this was an inside job.

[ithacan]

16. very true

the Bush regime has shown how vengeful it is, that it is willing to go to any length to punish anyone who speaks out against it if they are in any position of authority, and the media is especially coopted by those in power because they are dependent for their access to information on those with power.

So much for a free media...

[LTR]

17. Happy News

Media these days does not like to rock the boat. It's all light and happy, with the only drama in frivilous celebrity court cases.

What passes for news these days is merely "Entertainment Tonight" with uglier subjects. It's all dumbed down.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Depending on the person

1) Threats to self or family
2) Blackmail
3) Playing on the person's egotistical desire to be associated with the powerful
or, if all else fails:
4) Marginalization and ridicule

[LOL]

20. What I find funny...

...is that the Conservatives call the mainstream media a bunch of Leftist Lies and the Liberals call it...Bushshit.

"When it comes to hang the capitalists they will compete with each other to sell us the rope at a lower price" ~ Lenin

[newyawker99]

31. Hi LOL!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Smokie]

24. Press Conference..."Be careful what you say"

Did you see how * scowled at the reporters?

Mentioning something about how they should be nice for the xams season? How would you feel if the most dangerous man in the world scowled at you?

Here is a man who has signed the death warrants for over a hundred people and bragged about it!

Here is a man who sent an Army on an invasion, killing thousands of people in the process, using lies for an excuse to invade.

Here is a man who has proven he will throw someone in jail and not allow lawyers or judges to intervene.

How would you feel with this world's most dangerous man scowling at you? And saying: "Be careful what you say."

Personally, I'd like five minutes of his time.

[RBHam]

25. The media blackout of the Neil Bush saga....

Is the answer to any right winger who dares to complain of the "left wing media". It's a contemptible suggestion. Imagine if Neil Bush was a brother of a Democratic President. Think about it.

http://truthout.org/docs_03/112703A.shtml

[QC]

26. The media elite share Bush's agenda.

A handful of very large, very wealthy corporations control most of what Americans read, see, and hear, and nobody has ever been a better servant of large, wealthy corporations than Bush.

Why *would* they oppose him? He is a wet dream for those people.

[Cleita]

27. I think you will find your answer in the atmosphere

of fear and coerced patriotism created in the Third Reich of Germany by the Nazis. It's happening here. The only journalists given a soap box anymore are the ones who are Bush apologists. Soon they too will be gone and we won't have any mainstream press that criticizes these turkeys.

[grasswire]

29. the ironic thing....

.....is that the Bushes admit to despising the press.

One of the problems is that the networks hire young people for their looks. Inexperienced young people who are wooed by Washington power and Washington insider status.

These young people simply are not qualified to fulfill the role of watchdog for the people.

The plum job of White House correspondent should be given to grizzled, tough journeyman journalists who have come up through the ranks.

[populistmom]

30. Journalists are afraid of their employers

Those who own the media companies are making sure those who work for them tow the line and write and/or broadcast what they "should". Those who own the companies have a vested interest financially in continuing and expanding the right wing policies.

Independant, foreign, or less-than-mainstream journalists are the only sources you can trust.

[eleny]

32. Because the owners are 'tween the sheets with the administration

n/t

[proud patriot]

33. I think they are afraid of being blacklisted and fired .

Noam Chomsky , goes into this with examples in Manufacturing
Consent . Many reportors during Iran Contra/Niccuragga(sp?)/
Philipines in the 80s got fired and blacklisted .

By now it's ingrained in the core psyche' of "journalism"

[devinsgram]

34. Sins of the father are bestowed upon the son.

[SoCalDem]

36. Access....access....access...

"Journalistic" jobs are not as prevalent as in past times, and with the mergers and closing down of media venues, people are afraid to "take chances"// If a reporter is too "aggressive" with the little prince, they will be shunned.. No stories, no job.. Where will they go then?? When most of the venues are owned by a few people, there is no lateral movement anymore..

The Bushes keep score and they hold grudges.. no one dares cross them..

I predict, that if * gets 4 more years, about year 3.5, the reporters will "find" all kinds of stuff to slam him with.. Until then, they will play nice and let him get away with everything..

[kskiska]

39. True

But how would they treat a new Democratic president? Back to the same old dirty tricks, like with Clinton?

[wanderingbear]

41. Three little Letters F.C.C.

The Federal Communication Commition controls everything in the Mainstream media... The only one you can trust right now is PBS.. Public Broadcasting..