Accountability, and why it is only for Some!

[FrenchieCat]

I wrote a few letters to several CNN reporters and programs tonight, and I will be writing a lot more to many news sources in the following days, because I'm not seeing the kind of cogent and intelligent coverage on this spill and its repercutions from the corporate media. I understand dealing with the now, but as many of us stated during 9/11; what about the root causes of why we are where we are, and what about plans as to where we need to go?

I don't see the media truly touching the deeper story of this spill with a 10 foot pole, and that's what they should be doing, and that's what I'm telling them they need to do. Of course, they have an agenda, so what I am sensibly requesting will never happen....but my mother told me long ago; it never hurts to ask, especially if asking kinda of nicely. :)

Dear XXXXXX,

I appreciate CNN's stories everyday on what is happening in the Gulf. It is not as much a disaster as it is a tragedy. However, I'd like to ask why is it that you never discuss what happened during Pres. Bush's 8 years that led to much of the mayhem we see today? I'd love an expose on those energy meetings that Cheney held, which the media never really went after in order for the public to know who attended and what was said. Also, I'd like an expose on the parallel of this disaster and the Exxon Valdez. I don't recall the media going after Pres. Bush Sr. at all, and I wonder why the double standard in which this 16 month old administration appears to have been held accountable for everything that has happened with this disaster to date, no matter how many years took in its making.

I realize that President Obama manned up and took responsibility of this tragedy early on, but it seems that CNN shouldn't be accepting this and moving on. Personally, I'd like to know what took place not only in the last 16 months, but what happened prior; like perhaps what happened in the last 30 years.

In addition, CNN should be telling us more about what is in the energy bill that is languishing in the Senate, and what are the particular objections those Senators who oppose it have. They need to be shamed into letting us know exactly where they stand....and that would be a worthy job for a media who purports to be "investigative" in nature.

See, if CNN reported on those very important surrounds, perhaps Americans could better understand that this is simply an institutional problem a long time in the making, and not just about what this administration is doing or not doing. We have a long history that needs to be told about America's energy policy, and until the news actually does a balanced job of reporting all of those aspects, it makes it that much easier for CNN to insinuate via various propaganda methods that this administration is, by itself, as accountable as BP. I don't believe that, and the more I see no mention of the issues I've raised in this email, the more CNN's credibility comes into question. You should be telling the whole story; not just the pieces that you so choose, and to date, I don't see that happening.

If CNN really cared about the environment; and about the Gulf sincerely, there would be no hesitation in dwelving truly into the history of energy over the past 30 years; deregulation, the gutting of the government, the many oil lobbyists, and the oilmen that appear to have had more power than the people for years and years. Till then, CNN is suspect, no matter how well you all cover only half of the story, in an concerted attempt to make this administration look bad without context to the rest of the Energy story.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[Cha]

1. Thanks Frenchie for witing that letter and

sending it out to the various reporters and thanks for the letters you are going to be sending!

The points are excellent and shouldn't really have to be asked by the viewing audience but covered by outstanding news stations wanting to be the best in their field. Unfortunately, in this country..propaganda and celebrity type gossip rules with the bottom line in mind over actually informing the American citizens of facts and how we got into this strangle hold. Corporatemedia sticks with its corporate cohorts.

This country needs a station dedicated to facts like faux (dedicated to facism), cnn & msnbc(at times) is dedicated to scoring ratings.

Green Day's "American Idiot" comes to mind.

[treestar]

2. That's a great letter, thanks for writing it

I like this part especially"

if CNN reported on those very important surrounds, perhaps Americans could better understand that this is simply an institutional problem a long time in the making, and not just about what this administration is doing or not doing. We have a long history that needs to be told about America's energy policy, and until the news actually does a balanced job of reporting all of those aspects, it makes it that much easier for CNN to insinuate via various propaganda methods that this administration is, by itself, as accountable as BP. I don't believe that, and the more I see no mention of the issues I've raised in this email, the more CNN's credibility comes into question. You should be telling the whole story;

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. In their zeal to make this "Obama's Katrina", the corporate media

doesn't want you to look behind the curtain, for you might begin to ask more & more pointed questions. Sadly, the fourth estate is as corrupt as any other corporate entity. They have a vested interest in this administration's failure. $$$$$.

[goclark]

4. A BOG Winner....

Would love to see it on the greatest page.

Did you post it so that it can be read to a wider audience?

[berni_mccoy]

5. Great letter Frenchie.

I will, of course, write my own version and send it to them regarding this issue.

[jaxx]

6. I think their faces will get red when they read that letter.

Good job, you nailed them.