Those who have read my previous posts might recognize that I have a tilted political slant. Yes I am a progressive, a self admitted liberal. However, the approach I take when presented with something is like crossing a railroad track.
Stop. Look. Listen.
I feel that all to often we are presented with a bold headline, which is intended to inflame our immediate passions - “UK MUSLIM PROTESTERS BURN AMERICAN FLAG IN FRONT OF US EMBASSY DURING 9/11 MOMENT OF SILENCE”
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I may not agree with the individuals, however I will defend their right to free speech. Just as I will defend your right to free speech. Free speech is an absolute right. You can not deny an individual a right you assume for yourself.
All to often we become wrapped up in the hysterics of the moment and fail to look objectively at information. We do not take into consideration what is the bias of the speaker. We are all biased, we have a point of view, a perspective. Often we attempt to bring others to our point of view. Which is a perfectly normal activity, in business it is called sales.
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Salesmen can be highly compensated individuals. I would hope that various members of the media would step up and freely state that they have a specific point of view, that they are biased. The media today is working from one or another point of view and in the interests of accuracy that bias should addressed on the front end. When ever I hear someone for the first time, the first question I ask is what is that person’s perspective. I can recall when I would unquestioningly accept that the media would present all the information on a topic, that is not the case today.
Mark Twain popularized a line from Benjamin Disraeli, there are lies, damm lies and statistics. Using statistics you can prove almost anything you want. If you have one foot frozen in a block of ice and the other foot stuck in a fire, an argument can be made that on average you are comfortable.
We need to get to back to objectivity and reject the overheated hyperbole that we are exposed to in the media on a daily bases. What was it Sgt. Joe Friday used to say? "Just the facts".