Category: Politics

Media Bias? How About Facts, Not Opinion?

Negative NewsThere is now hard data for those on both sides of the media’s “liberal bias” controversy.

George Mason University’s Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) released the results of a study on July 28 showing that “Barack Obama is getting more negative coverage than John McCain on TV network evening news shows, reversing Obama’s lead in good press during the primaries.”

These results are based on content analysis of 249 election news stories (7 hours 38 minutes of airtime) Continue reading “Media Bias? How About Facts, Not Opinion?”

CBS Manipulates the News

CBSOne of the most important lessons I learned at college did not come in a classroom.

In the newsroom of The Harvard Crimson, I was taught that journalism demanded impartiality and a near-religious adherence to accuracy and truth. We put out the college paper six days a week, and every published story was pasted into the “Comment Book” where other Crimson editors (“Crimeds”) were encouraged to challenge every sentence for grammar, syntax, style, but most of all…for misstatement, ambiguity, prejudice, unattributed opinion, and just plain error. Continue reading “CBS Manipulates the News”

Kenya in Willits

Mendocino firesIn Mendocino County recently, on a day when the smoke from the hundreds of still-burning forest fires was relatively tolerable, I walked through a nearly deserted city park in Willits with my son and my brother and noticed two black men lunching at a distant picnic table. From previous conversations with my brother, a double-decade Willits resident, I knew the town’s demographics: two black men were entirely anomalous…and therefore, intriguing. Originally on a tack that would pass them at an impersonal distance, our stroll was drawn closer by their African garb. On the edge of the table was a book, so my brother opened the conversation, “What’re you reading?” Continue reading “Kenya in Willits”

Naples: Local Wisdom (Part 2)

More of my trip south from Naples Airport, during which my driver, a 40-ish local with no pretensions about his hometown, his country, or his government, continued his expatiation on his hometown, his country, and his government.

On Cultural History:

Italy has been conquered by others many times. For 200 years (I checked: 1504-1707 it was called the Spanish Kingdom of Naples) spanish naplesbefore 1861 the south of Italy was Spanish, so we are more Spanish than Italian. That is why we have the big meal at lunch. And the siesta from 1 to 5, everything is closed. The Italian some places, it sounds like Continue reading “Naples: Local Wisdom (Part 2)”

Democracy(?) in Dallas

DallasThe Trinity Parkway project in Dallas includes some urban upgrades to the Trinity River area and a 10-mile toll road that bypasses the downtown area. It was approved by 53% of Dallas voters in a November 2007 election.

Democracy in action.

Last month, the City Council, with further democratic intent, asked the public to vote on a new name for Industrial Boulevard, a road within the Project’s purview known more for its bars and bail bondsmen than the river it winds along, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The City Council announced a combined online and telephone survey, and when the results were announced yesterday, voters chose César Chávez Boulevard by an overwhelming margin. Of the 20,594 votes counted for six name choices, Chávez received 10,710 votes, or 52 percent. The next highest vote-getter garnered only 19%.

Install the Chavez street signs, right?

Nope.

Continue reading “Democracy(?) in Dallas”