I think Mr. Goldberg's column vividly displays his ignorance of the left. On the other hand he might be like his peers in another way. He might be just pandering to the masses that love scandal and a good fight. He loads up his columns and books with titillating, attention grabbing phrases and column headings just to sell newspapers, books, and internet ads casting aside any interest or concern for journalistic integrity. Either way, it's a sad statement on America today.
Perhaps we should put a warning label of sorts on all political commentary in the media that it is neither news nor journalism, merely the opinions of a commentator who may be very biased and who may purposely use inflammatory rhetoric to improve his ratings.
These are the "shock jocks" of the media. There is no objectivity, fact finding, or investigative journalism. In fact they become part of the story by taking sides while egging on their supporters and vilifying their detractors. Some, like Glen Beck, even organize rallies. All this is done in the name of free speech, however, it harms the democratic process just as much as the special interest groups that buy Congressional votes through political campaign donations. Why? When the media becomes part of the political process it strays from its much needed purpose in a democratic society of being its watchdog. Without such a watchdog in place the voters suffer because it becomes so hard to determine fact from fiction when listening to this faux media.
What's the answer? I don't know. Until we can reform media and/or reform politics we voters have to work harder to educate ourselves so that we can vote in an informed way.
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