Obama's 'civilian national security force'

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ah yes, the outrage. Tell me, just this exist outside of the US? I have never experienced this in politics before - maybe I have led a sheltered life up to now?

We have political apathy in the UK - but even so the two parties and their supporters don't treat the others as though they're from another planet. Its almost as though the theatre is a necessary part of the process here... I can understand that in the context of American media culture, but it can't serve any actually useful purpose. Surely...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Ah yes, the outrage. Tell me, does this exist outside of the US? I have never experienced this in politics before - maybe I have led a sheltered life up to now?

It does exist in Indian politics as well.

Don't vote for the Congress, my parents were always told, because then we might end up with a Muslim Prime Minister who will immediately begin demolishing all Hindu temples and building mosques instead.

Don't vote for the BJP, my Muslim neighbors were told, because then the Hindu right wing will make it pass laws banning halal meat.

It's a constant state of outrage. In the meanwhile, after decades of electoral democracy, halal meat is still legal and no temples have been demolished by Muslim mobs (although one mosque has been by a Hindu mob).

[Peikko 1,575]

Well, a certain amount of political theatrics is fun but this is just so mindless, never mind littered with inacuracies and stupidity. I mean, the debacle over that political cartoon - completely ridiculous. The wierd thing is, I don't know anyone who is at all like that in normal life. People are educated and sensible and certainly don't hold any bizarre theories - or at least none that are political in nature...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

People are educated and sensible and certainly don't hold any bizarre theories

[Peikko 1,575]

The people I meet are

Although there are one or two that have some wierd ideas about aliens and space craft - but I don't find that nearly so annoying.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well, a certain amount of political theatrics is fun but this is just so mindless, never mind littered with inacuracies and stupidity. I mean, the debacle over that political cartoon - completely ridiculous. The wierd thing is, I don't know anyone who is at all like that in normal life. People are educated and sensible and certainly don't hold any bizarre theories - or at least none that are political in nature...

I think the public political discourses have a lot to do with the quality of the news media. The cover of the New Yorker wouldn't have caused any waves had not some editor decided that such things are newsworthy. People wouldn't be talking about it had someone not decided that it merited wall to wall coverage.

If the media stopped trying to pander to the partisan divide people might start talking about important things, rather than garbage.

Edited July 16, 2008 by Number 6

[one...two...tree 2,762]

World Nut Daily

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

World Nut Daily

AKA - Yellow Journalism

[Peikko 1,575]

Is yellow journalism like yellow holes in the snow?

[almaty 19]

yes, they are

[Peikko 1,575]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Is it possible I am the only journalist in America who sought clarification on this campaign promise?

It seems quite possible that he's the only journalist in America moronic enough to make the kind of assumptions and suggestions he makes. What an idiot!

[almaty 19]

also, saw this on an internet news story..has to be true...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

The Messiah can do no wrong.

[Peikko 1,575]

Denial world must be tons of fun. Honestly there are issues on which Barack can rightly be critisized, but to imagine that he's going to create an army of 'brown shirts'? That's loonytunesville.