Stoopid Stuff

Incredible Sources

Let me ask a very quick question here. Why would anyone ask Liz Cheney about her father's actions as Vice President? I'm not certain but I'm pretty sure she was NOT on his staff or involved in his actions around detainee interrogations, particularly as much of that was classified, but even beyond that, has anyone noticed that he's her FATHER? Asking someone if they think their Dad is a war criminal seems unlikely to result in any valuable data.

As if we needed some additional evidence to allow us to understand the mindless and tragically ineffectual nature of our electronic press, this should serve as a milestone, a stake hammered into the very concept of political journalism announcing, for now and ever, it's wheezing demise. Think about this. The Vice President of The United States of America is embroiled in controversy due to his horrific and very likely criminal behavior. And the press thinks it will contribute valuable insight into the issue to interview his DAUGHTER on her views of his actions. And people listen to her speak, and discuss the things she says as if she has any credible standing to address the matter. It's beyond bizarre. And I know you're going to find the outcome shocking, but Cheney's daughter deems his actions to be completely reasonable, utterly justifiable and undoubtedly legal. Now that you know his daughter thinks his actions were correct, you have a much deeper understanding of the entire affair, right?

Of course, as we sadly view this marker on the grave of electronic journalism, we must recognize, and admit to ourselves, that it is too late. The media cannot be repaired - it is far to broken to ever find it's bearings once again. What we can do, what we MUST do, is help the people who pay less attention and still rely, to their great detriment, upon television and cable news for their view of the world understand that this medium is for entertainment purposes only, and that nothing credible can be learned by viewing it. As long as these hucksters and clowns can be cited as authoritative sources, the discourse in this nation will continue to be hijacked by people with money and an agenda, and our aspiration to live in a democracy will slip farther out of reach.

Imagine how refreshing it would be if one of these television news actors reported Liz Cheney's views on her father's actions, and then looked in the camera and said "but then again, what else would we expect her to say", shook his head ruefully and added "for a credible take on Vice President Cheney's actions, let's go to ____________". They could fill in anyone, from someone in government to a former administration official to a constitutional scholar to a torture survivor. It is not difficult to find people who can make a valuable contribution to this conversation. But the suspect's daughter? That's just laughable...

posted by mikey @ 10:40 AM