I recently read an article that talked about how President Obama used the Sunday morning talk shows in order to scold the media for what he called "rude" and "outrageous" political comments regarding Republican Joe Wilson's outburst during Obama's health care address to a joint session of Congress more than a week ago. I mean...isn't it about time someone intervened in the media's out of control coverage of such petty issues??
As a result of Wilson's outburst, many new stories have emerged and the media has nonetheless given a considerable amount of coverage to each and every one. It seems that people now know more about the debate over Wilson's outburst and the stories that have followed than they do about the actual health care plan...talk about being misinformed!! We, as a people, just need to sit back, face reality, and think about which issue will affect us and our country more...Wilson's outburst or Obama's health care plan?
Race has become the new highlight of the Wilson outburst. The coverage, which should have been focused on Obama's health care plan itself, was focused entirely on Wilson's comment, which has now evolved into a racial controversy. This new debate resulted after several prominent Democrats claimed that critics like Wilson were racially motivated. I mean...really?!? Some people will just take an issue and run with it, making it more prolonged that it really ever should be. The debate has been spinning out of control and I totally agree with President Obama when he stated that "the media loves to have a conversation about race. It is catnip to the media because it is a running thread in American history that is very powerful and it evokes some very strong emotion." I just think that it is so crazy that the media is STILL dwelling on Wilson's outburst even AFTER he apologized to President Obama and Obama accepted his apology. But I guess I can't really say that I'm surprised at this point...
In his lecture, President Obama urged news networks to give more of a platform to those who demonstrate decency and civility. He stated that "the easiest way to get on the news or get your fifteen minutes of fame is to be rude . If you're just being sensible, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and you're making your arguments, you don't get time on the nightly news." That statement could not be any more true. I, along with many others I'm sure, have stopped watching the news because it is just filled with ridiculous debate and focuses more on celebrity hot topics than important issues that actually affect our country. Obama stated that part of what he would like to see is for everyone to reward decency and civility in our political discourse. He went on to say that "that doesn't mean you can't be passionate, and that doesn't mean that you can't speak your mind, but I think we can all sort of take a step back here and remind ourselves who we are as a people."
As far as the Wilson debate, I will close with a statement from House Republican Leader, John Boehner, that I find to be very true: "It didn't need to happen. It is over with. As President Obama said, it's time to talk about health care, not about Joe Wilson".
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I am so with you on this!!! The news reports what will get them ratings instead of what is really important. Amanda, did you also forget that Jimmy Carter chimed in saying that Joe Wilson's comments were racist, yet he had no basis to make that claim and what is even worse is that the media entertained Carter, giving him face time on the news, all he wanted was some attention! What was great was that Obama did not entertain Carter and decided to move on and act like he did not hear it, which was a good decision.
ReplyDeleteI do think Wilson's comment is racially motivated, if not why would he yell during a speech to congress? He understands his constituents....I have lived in the South long enough to understand that race baiting get extra votes, White or Black. He was the same dude zinging the confederate flag even though we all understand that confederacy promoted slavery, you can be proud of your roots, but why embrace the evils of slavery?
ReplyDeleteThe President can't blame the press though because people love those rude instances...I mean do you remember any other thing that happened during the VMA awards other than Kanye outburst? I don't.
I agree with you and Obama on this one. It is just as he said, at the end of the day the loudest, shrillest voices are the ones that get the attention of the media. That is a scary fact considering the media is supposed to be the peoples watchdog.
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