Who was right? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tbomachines · #1 07-28-2009, 11:27 AM

I think GWB earned a reputation of being an unskilled speaker whereas Obama has yet to make many gaffs. BO is a trained rhetoritician (law school) and is an extremely skilled public speaker so he has established himself as an arguably competent individual through public appearances. GWB started out okay but as soon as people began to see the gaffs over and over again it get to the point where it was just too easy to get the guy. I agree, national media have opted not to cover the president's comments and focused more on the incident itself. Different outlets also had different strategies. I think that a lot of the more liberal media will begin to get off of the BO "high" from the election soon and sober up. The moderates have already begun their criticism, and of course the conservatives have been on the attack since the campaign.

aklim · #2 07-28-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

BO is a trained rhetoritician (law school) and is an extremely skilled public speaker so he has established himself as an arguably competent individual through public appearances.

As the 48th Rule of Acquisition goes: The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.

MS Fowler · #3 07-28-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I think GWB earned a reputation of being an unskilled speaker whereas Obama has yet to make many gaffs. BO is a trained rhetoritician (law school) and is an extremely skilled public speaker so he has established himself as an arguably competent individual through public appearances. GWB started out okay but as soon as people began to see the gaffs over and over again it get to the point where it was just too easy to get the guy. I agree, national media have opted not to cover the president's comments and focused more on the incident itself. Different outlets also had different strategies. I think that a lot of the more liberal media will begin to get off of the BO "high" from the election soon and sober up. The moderates have already begun their criticism, and of course the conservatives have been on the attack since the campaign.

I expect opposition from the opposing political party. I expect bouquets from the supporting Party.
I expect the PRESS to do their job--its why they were specifically protected in the Constitution. The press has always been partisan--look at the converage of Lincoln--he was either a god, or a gorilla, depending on the newspaper. What is different at this time is that the press is nearly monolithic in its POV, and they claim to be unbiased.

tbomachines · #4 07-28-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

I expect opposition from the opposing political party. I expect bouquets from the supporting Party.
I expect the PRESS to do their job--its why they were specifically protected in the Constitution. The press has always been partisan--look at the converage of Lincoln--he was either a god, or a gorilla, depending on the newspaper. What is different at this time is that the press is nearly monolithic in its POV, and they claim to be unbiased.

In a perfect world that would be true. There are a number of journalistic biases, mostly having to do with money:
1. audience bias
2. supervisory pressure
3. advertising pressure
4. personal reputation
5. language accessibility

Lots more, can't remember them right now from my press classes without my notes. Most of it revolves around making your advertisers happy, then the readers. There are plenty of moderate and balanced news sources out there, but a lot of people do not realize it (or take the "fair&balanced, no spin zone" claims for fact). I wish it were completely unbiased as well but its not going to happen as long as there is a medium involved. As Marshall MacLuhan famously said "the medium is the message"

Mistress · #5 07-28-2009, 11:47 AM

we need to move on....

aklim · #6 07-28-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

we need to move on....

You can do better than that. To quote a more infamous line "Why can't we all get along?"

mgburg · #7 07-28-2009, 11:52 AM

"And history will always be written by the victor."

It's amazing how true that statement is...but it could be 100% different if not for just two letters.

aklim · #8 07-28-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

or take the "fair&balanced, no spin zone" claims for fact).

I wish it were completely unbiased as well but its not going to happen as long as there is a medium involved.

They are probably the same ones that believe Vince Schlomi and the Slap Chop, Graty or the Sham Wow.

As long as a human is involved, it never will be.