The media did this for the worst of reasons. Money. $$$, avarice.
America’s democracy has been sold-out.

The absurd campaign finance system in America has poisoned all objectivity and honesty of the media. No one asks the question, for example:
Where oh where does all this money raised by parties, candidates and PACS wind up?

In the bank accounts of media entities and pundits etc. That’s where. They are the recipients not the politicians.

Virtually every single campaign in America, win or lose, winds up in debt to the media…and the question always…as it is already with the 2008 candidates….can they get the money?

Its never a question of who has the right ideas. Who has the ability to make things happen.
Who can competently and fairly govern America, protect defend and honor the Constitution?

Its: who can get the money?? to sustain a media campaign expensive and designed to promote the candidate no matter his/her flaws or lackings.
The solution is for Americans to get a fvking education and elect candidates who will overhaul the media/politics relationship.

If I were President I would call all the major media entities in America to the White House, and tell them to bring their FCC licenses.
When they arrived I would tell them:
Put your license on my desk.
And would tell them you will from this day on provide free and equal campaign time and space to all candidates per the order of the new Department of Democracy. Period.
If you’ve got a problem with this, you can leave your license on the desk and get the fuck out of my office.
I would tell those that remained that the Dept would be reviewing and regulating the veracity and truthfulness of all campaign promotion broadcast and printed, so that ridiculous things like Swift Boat would be chopped off at the neck.

You media people owe America and Americans a free and open and honest democracy for us giving you these licenses and allowing you into our homes, TVs, computers, and the public airwaves and places to broadcast advertise and promote yourselves and your clients.
The “press” is accorded extra-constitutional rights and for that Americans have a right to expect they take special care with our democracy and the truth and openness.

Friedman: Look, I’m cynical about most OpEd writers. Perhaps more so on Friedman. I really believe that he came at his pro-Iraq War position because of his belief in a globalized economy. I’ll be the first to admit that I could be wrong. But he’s tooted that horn for so long. I’ve never seen a sign of a populist bone in the man’s body. The wonderfulness of globalization seems to have seeped into his DNA, and the prospect of a “democracy in Iraq” overrode any qualms he may have had about a war. You know, an event that kills lots of people. I don’t think Friedman is capable of taking a position that doesn’t factor in his near religious belief in the prospects of a globalized economy. But this is one person’s opinion. Who knows what really goes on his head? But it’s the only reason I’ve been able to fathom for his continued support for “six more months.”

And, let’s face it…he’s a DC insider, like so many of the pundits and reporters who shape and frame our so-called national debates. They’re only going to push the envelope just so far, else they’re not going to be invited to Tim Russert’s roundtable or some power broker’s cocktail parties.

To help make sense of it all, read widely. In the run-up to the Iraq war, Jonathan Landay and Warren Strobel of Knight-Ridder’s Washington bureau (now McClatchey), were doing reporting that called into question Judy Miller’s articles that were front-paged in the NY Times. I came across them because bloggers linked to them. As you delve into blogland, follow the links they give you. Because they’re often to original reporting that bloggers can’t yet finance. (Waiting for the day.) You’ve come across a good one at FDL. Check out some others in the blogroll at left.

As to Iran, sounds like you’re quite clear on that one. You don’t need Friedman’s take to guide you. Ignore the guy. In the end, he’s just a man with opinions. Like you. Like me. He may have insider access that we don’t, but his brain processes info just like ours do. And perhaps with an agenda that we don’t have.

tejanarusa, I have the feeling that Michael Gordon’s book isn’t going to a great review… much like my inquiry about Tom Friedman.

We’ve been hoodwinked, even though we read.

It’s quite a problem, and I’m going to have another glass of red.

Hi– Cobra II was one of my first Iraq purchases – then I started reading FDL. I’ve been here awhile – think that’s why I never actually read past the first chapter or two.

We’ve been hoodwinked, even though we read.

It’s quite a problem, and I’m going to have another glass of red.

Honestly, what are we to do with Iran in the offing?

I’m absolutely clear it’s a mess. Now, what to do?

…is trying to pretend she’s not in it way past her tits…

Is this really necessary?? Really?

Murray Waas has a new article up.

If Libby is found guilty, investigators are likely to probe further to determine if Libby devised what they consider a cover story in an effort to shield Cheney.

Interesting article. Thanks.