Like many people here, I've become disgusted with the current mainstream media. Networks that claim to report the facts, be it CNN, MSNBC, or Fox, usually just bombard me with loud pundits, flashing graphics, and the latest updates on Paris Hilton. Besides just that, though, I'm troubled by the way they change public discourse. Phrases like "neocons," "cut and run," "liberal nuts," "far right" and "far left" serve to dumb down how we see issues and feel the need to pick a side and cheer for them.
Even though I now get all of my news from C-Span and the internet, I still find plenty of labeling and partisan bickering (less Paris Hilton, thankfully). In particular, many buzz words, such as "liberal," "conservative," and "non-interventionist" have been used in so many different ways that my head is spinning.
With this topic, I'm hoping to gain some insight into how a generally conservative crowd would see some common labels. How would you define the following terms, and what kind of policies or practices they would imply?
1)Conservativsm
2)Liberalism
3)Libertarianism
4)Non-Interventionism
5)Pre-Emption
6)Biased (more specifically, what makes something biased)
7)News Media (more specifically, what should it do)
Thanks in advance to anyone that participates.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Andrew,In regard to the MsM,
July 4, 2007 - 12:44 ET by BlondeAndrew,
In regard to the MsM, you will hardly ever see anyone of the "conservative" persuasion identified as such. Rather, they'll be identified as "right-wing". Or a "Rush-acolyte".
I'd have no problem with calling me "Blonde, a conservative"....but "Blonde, a right winger" or "Blonde, a Rush-acolyte" just puts a spin there that really isn't there...if you get my drift.
Andrew-- I will try
July 4, 2007 - 13:13 ET by misterbill1)Conservativsm - Traditional values, family-oriented, small government
2)Liberalism-- The "good" liberalism--helping those who really need help.
The other liberalism -helping those who rather have help than helping themselves. A "nanny" state.
3)Libertarianism - Conservatives who believe in complete freedom.
If it harms no one except the person him/herself--let it be!
4)Non-Interventionism - Let people die or one country invade another and have a closed eye to it all.
5)Pre-Emption _????????????
6)Biased (more specifically, what makes something biased)
Holding an opinion (educated or uneducated) about any subject. Bias can be a positive or a negative prejudice. Contrary to common usage , bias is not always bad. e.g. I support the Red Cross. It does good works.
7)News Media (more specifically, what should it do)
Factual reporting --both negative and positive. Telling the news as it is. If it is to be biased (negative or positive) by the writer's opinion, it should be in an opinion column, not a news report.
Example--Fake pictures of the dead in one of the many skirmishes in Lebanon.
Staging photographs to prove the writer's position instead of actual footage.
And as I copied from Shakespeare today:
"To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."