[MLUG - DISCUSSION] summary of debate about news sources

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Christian Cepel made some outrageous claims about clinic workers trying to 
get happily-pregnant women to have abortions.  One of his sources was 
literature from Focus on the Family (James Dobson's right-wing Christian 
anti-abortion group).  I suggested that his claims were hard for me to 
accept because Focus on the Family is not a good source for "unbiased 
reporting."  Vern Green then asked where I would look for unbiased 
reporting.  I suggested "ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, NPR, CNN, NY Times, 
Washington Post, LA Times, etc." because "their goal is to report news," 
not to manipulate public opinion in an effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. 
Vern then suggested that my habit of getting news from such 
well-established and trusted sources "explains why [I am] so ill-informed 
on so many of the things we talk about here."

Vern then went on to trash all these major news sources as biased because 
they are trying to placate the 50-60 year old demographic -- group that 
Vern believes are self-absorbed and unable to assess the factual quality 
of their news.  Vern recommends Bill O'Reilly as a good source of news. 
Vern says that O'Reilly gives both sides of the story.  Vern does not 
watch the PBS Lehrer News Hour.

I think Vern is as far off the mark as you can get.  His ideas are utterly 
foolish and unworthy of further discussion.  His condescending 
over-confidence is annoying.  I have many things I should be doing with my 
time and arguing about complete bullshit with Vern is not one of them.

Mike

_______________________________________________
discussion mailing list
EMAIL:PROTECTED
http://mlug.missouri.edu/mailman/listinfo/discussion