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The Architect of Modern Conservatism
Mainstream Press, Biased?
Evan Thomas is correct that the mainstream media, for the most part, do not have an explicit bias ("The Myth of Objectivity," March 10). However, by relying heavily on former and current government officials, elite think tanks and partisan political-party strategists as sources, an implicit bias is created in the media's coverage that reflects an elite ideology and gives the reader a narrow spectrum of voices.
Matthew Beller
Bronx, N.Y.
Evan Thomas stated that the national news media "are prejudiced, but not ideologically" and that the "press's real bias is for conflict." Research studies point to a different conclusion. For example, NEWSWEEK's partner MSNBC recently examined campaign contributions made by journalists from 2004 through the start of the 2008 election cycle. Out of 143 journalists from around the country, 125 gave to Democrats and liberal groups, just 16 gave to Republicans and conservative groups, and two gave to both parties. Evidence suggests that journalists' personal political leanings influence their reporting. A 2005 UCLA study scored 18 of 20 major news outlets to the left of the average American voter, while just two were scored to the right of the average voter. The American people deserve fair coverage of the major issues facing our country. Anything less is a threat to our democracy.
Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas Republican
Washington, D.C.
Secretly Financing Attack Ads
Freedom of speech allows a person or a group to voice opinions and, if they have the money, to buy ads ("Attack Ads on the Way," PERISCOPE, March 10). However, donors should not be able to hide behind the tax-exempt veil of a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. In other words, if you want to put your money where your mouth is, you'd better be ready to put your name there, too.
Judy Nollet
Eagan, Minn.
Cello vs. Bass
The gentleman in the large photo that accompanied "A Concert Aims for Perfect Harmony" (March 10) is carrying a bass, not—as was noted in the caption—a cello. A general rule for identification: once a stringed instrument of the violin/viola/cello/bass family nears the height of the player, it is a bass. Admittedly, the waters of popular knowledge have been murky ever since Jack Black equated cello to bass in the movie "School of Rock."
Karl Paulsen
Chicago, Ill.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: Annceline @ 03/21/2008 7:51:29 PM
Comment: The pendulum swings. Republican administrations and big business busted the labor unions and ruined the blue collar middle class. Former good credit risk families became subprime, and still big business couldn't resist squeezing them to support the ever increasing paychecks of the upper crust. Now what? Let's borrow some more money from China to enact a New Deal and rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Then three generations from now we can repeat the same cycle.
Posted By: asamp @ 03/20/2008 2:18:06 PM
Comment: Comment: What women want (Mar 17) - I have been waiting for the day when a woman will rule this country. I come from India and we have gone past the gender issue long back with Indira Gandhi. I was quite surprised when I moved to US that despite the country being a modern economy and a super power, women have the same status like anywhere else. Having said that I face the same dilemna as so many women in that article. I simple adore Obama as it is once in a lifetime that you get a person of that nature to lead and he is so perfect for this country in these troubled times. To me he is beyond race, I somehow cannot see him being just black. The race card that is being played on him is so superficial when compared to the problems that we have today which is plagueing everyone. As for Hillary, she does not come across as a genuine person. When I look at her or hear her speak, I feel like I am looking a drama queen desparate for seeking power and does not have complete grip of all the issues. But she is smart to smooth talk everyone into seeing her as a perfect candidate. That scares me as people are falling for that. I wish we had a different woman candidate, more genuine like Janet Napolitano perhaps..
Posted By: asamp @ 03/20/2008 2:16:41 PM
Comment: Comment: What women want (Mar 17) - I have been waiting for the day when a woman will rule this country. I come from India and we have gone past the gender issue long back with Indira Gandhi. I was quite surprised when I moved to US that despite the country being a modern economy and a super power, women have the same status like anywhere else. Having said that I face the same dilemna as so many women in that article. I simple adore Obama as it is once in a lifetime that you get a person of that nature to lead and he is so perfect for this country in these troubled times. To me he is beyond race, I somehow cannot see him being just black. The race card that is being played on him is so superficial when compared to the problems that we have today which is plagueing everyone. As for Hillary, she does not come across as a genuine person. When I look at her or hear her speak, I feel like I am looking a drama queen desparate for seeking power and does not have complete grip of all the issues. But she is smart to smooth talk everyone into seeing her as a perfect candidate. That scares me as people are falling for that. I wish we had a different woman candidate, more genuine like Janet Napolitano perhaps..