How far will people let this go?

[blues90]

With sick people like Ann Coulter or radio freaks like Rush and others as well .

There was a time in america where this sort of language would never make it on the air . Not that we were suppressed but we had some sort of values .

It has gotten to the point now where I can't remember when all this changed .

At times I feel it began with the candidates and their mud-slinging and smear adds . This too is something that would not float well years ago .

Somehwere along the line we have lost respect and fairness and a real sense of freedom of speech .

What ever happened to setting a good example and pride in what one says or does .

This all seems to fall in line with the way people are treated or treat eachother whether it's the troops or the poor and anyone else who does not fit into their sick grand scheme .

This now for some reason seems acceptable practice in this country and it needs to stop .

[The Straight Story]

1. You're sounding like my grandma talking about soap operas on TV

She wouldn't watch em with all the smut and crime :)

[blues90]

5. Thanks

[Autumn Colors]

2. As for when it began...

I could be mistaken, but it seems to me that the quality of the news media seemed to change for the worst when CNN, the first of the 24-hour news channels appeared.

EDIT: Not really a comment on the "smut" factor, but seems like our "values" as far as what was considered news started to go downhill fast at that point.

[blues90]

4. You may be right

wasn't CNN around 1989 or 1990 ?

[Autumn Colors]

8. No, much earlier - 1980.

[blues90]

11. Ok , lets say 1980 then

I was not the owner of a tv then .

However here we have the life and times of Reagan and star wars and the end of regulations and the trickle down none-sense .

Also the year Lennon was shot .

I do remember many presidential debates starting with JFK and I remember debates on issues and not mud-slinging .

I do however feel that the attitude along with the murder of the english language has fallen by the wayside . If it is not a war and murder , it is slander and lies all used as tools to somehow advance and win , well this does not work .

I do hope this upcoming generation brings back to life an effort to move things back to a meaningful sense .

If we as people expect the politicians to represent us then we have to set the example now for they have failed .

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. You are mistaken

it began when Reagan signed the media bill that made it a free for all and got rid of the Fairness Doctrine

It got worst when Clinton singed the next big media bill

By the way CNN WAS a great source of news in the early days BEFORE it was bought by one of the big five media companies (Time Warner in their case)

[tblue]

3. What fries me the most is when there's talk about the sniping on 'both sides'

Sure we on the left bitch and moan and criticize......based on facts, evidence, history, context, and petty little details like that.

[jhrobbins]

10. I agree (sorta), but I don't think we make this type of vile, disgusting

character assasinations based on thin air. I really dislike all of those right wing 'nasties' who attack based on lies and innuendo, but I despise Coulter more than the others and I cannot really say exactly why. Does she get away with this stuff because she is a woman?

[Breeze54]

6. The mud-slinging has always been there.

It's just more noticeable with new communication inventions and widespread access.

The back biting and flame throwing isn't new at all.

[Bitwit1234]

7. Things fell apart when Reagan did away with the Fairness Doctrine

after he did that --- right wingers went wild. They knew they could say anything they wanted and there would be no chance for the democrats to rebuttal the charges.

[TankLV]

9. 1980 Raygun was installed.

That's the time it all started...

[AndyTiedye]

13. What Can We Do About It?

[blues90]

14. We need to change argument into conversation

or actual debate . Even on the floor of the senate a republican jumps right in with an argument and instead of the Democratic rep addressing it with a comeback they should give a short simple acknowledgement and go back to their subject . I do understand the Dems have had 12 years of anger pent up but they need to act as if they are in control .

This sort of thing reminds me of the talking head shows where everyone get bent out of shape and no one gets their point across and all look foolish and no one really hears what has been said .