Mediaopoly
by Ted
Lang, Associate Editor
December 9, 2002
The recent outbursts of Al Gore and Tom Daschle of "The Party" are in actuality
right out of the Bill Clinton play book; and adding credibility to this observation,
the master prevaricator himself steps up to the podium and lays claim to his
legacy. The chapter heading is "Validating Absurdity." Something totally false
is stated with much fanfare and is then supported by the feigned seriousness
of a doting, obedient and supportive press.
All informed Americans know that Democrats control the mainstream establishment press. This includes network TV "news," which selectively reports events favorable to Democrats, while embarrassing the GOP and suppressing events favorable to them. Think of Bush's daughters, Bill and Monica or Gary Condit.
The only reason Eisner and Disney allow a voice to Rush Limbaugh is because their radio station in New York was on the verge of bankruptcy. Limbaugh and his growing army of fans changed the financial prospects of the station, and his success and syndication paved the way for many others.
Other than Limbaugh, talk radio, The Washington Times and FOX, Democrats still control the "free" press. But in spite of network TV, Hollywood, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Time and Newsweek, Democrats lost handily in the midterm elections even with the powerful media behind them.
Some observers, including Limbaugh, offer that this is all fun. He chuckles pointing out that liberals get "wackier and nuttier" when they're out of power. Along with others, he offers that "Democrats just don't get it." He believes it was their liberal agenda and their transparent obstructionism and objections to Bush's impending attack on Iraq that turned voters off. No argument here.
But to say Democrats "don't get it" is itself the height of absurdity! Of course they get it! Didn't they immediately focus on the causative factors: Limbaugh, talk radio, The Washington Times, and FOX News? These are conservative or equal and balanced media outlets. They are in fact small potatoes when compared to the mainstream media controlled by Democrats. It is Limbaugh and these "conservative" media pundits that don't get it!
Absurdity and its validation are what it is all about. It's "Clintonurdity," a concept in politics he so successfully introduced. If guns in the right hands stopped school violence and shootings, then guns for the law-abiding should be abolished. Absurd yes, but it works! If sex is oral, it's not sex! Absurd yes, but it works. If taxing social security attacks the elderly, blame Republicans by saying they will do something similar, and thereby scare the elderly into voting for Democrats. Absurd yes, but it works.
Hitler of his party said that if you repeat a lie often enough, the gullible public will eventually believe it. Now consider again the outburst of Daschle and its seconding by Al Gore, Bill Clinton and the mainstream media. Remember the caution involving politicians, especially Democrats who oppose everything America stands for: Pay no attention to what they say, watch what they do!
The falsehood that Republicans control the media such that Democrats must now arrange to have their message heard is absurd. Limbaugh and talk radio are popular because of their message, which is dependent on truth and fact. The Democrats' agenda is based on lies and falsehoods - it is their party that requires propaganda to survive. Talk radio and FOX are popular with the people - think of the falling ratings of network TV news and their left-liberal anchors - think of Donahue.
The Daschle-Gore outbursts are but step one to a new agenda, and that agenda is the total suppression of all opposing viewpoints. There will now be an overt effort to introduce legislation to muzzle talk radio, The Washington Post, FOX and the Internet. These are threats to "The Party." You say it will never happen? Does "campaign finance reform" ring a bell? But didn't Bush push that? That's right! ***
© 2002 Ted Lang Publications
In addition to his work at The American Partisan, Ted Lang is a government analyst and a political freelance writer. He has written for numerous websites such as USA Daily, where he is a columnist, The Patriotist, Sierra Times, as well as New Jersey newspapers. Lang holds a BA in political science and an MBA.
COPYRIGHT © 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.