Many people are hoping that the recent election will usher in a new era of cooperation and accomplishment between the two political parties. The celebration, both nationally and internationally, of the Obama election is indicative of a new sense of hope and cooperation that people haven't felt for quite a while. Seeing tens of thousands of people cheering in the streets of cities across the world was a moving moment and demonstrates how excited many Americans are about the future of our country.
But, not to let things get too far out of hand, the conservative talk show hosts started cranking out their venomous attacks on Obama and Biden almost immediately. Obama hasn't even made his first official decision as President, and the conservative pit bulls have already bared their teeth and gone on the offensive.
The left talk show hosts have started building their own following over the last several years, but the conservatives appear to have built the stronger attack machine, based on the number of successful conservative talk show hosts on the air. Because the Democrats won, it is only natural that hosts from the right are the most active at the moment.
In the spirit of actually moving the country forward, I have a request of all political talk show pundits: try a little self constraint. Regardless of political leanings, talking down the other side does nothing to create the positive environment required for true bipartisan progress. All it does is increase your ratings by stirring up the angst of your viewer base, while doing nothing to bridge the differences between the parties.
Your talk is aggressive, insulting and divisive. It does nothing to contribute to true progress. If you are the patriots you claim to be, change your approach. Or, if ratings are your primary objective, keep doing what you're doing. Either way, we'll know what your true motivation is.
It's fine to have differing opinions; that's what this country's all about. But, if you're truly interested in bipartisan solutions that benefit the forward progress of this country, then stop attacking people for merely disagreeing with your particular point of view. And, please, stop talking over people when they are attempting to answer a question or provide you with their point of view. Bottom line is that if you don't want to hear what your guests have to say, don't invite them to your show.
You all must realize that there is a large section of the population that watches your method of handling diversity and mimicks it in their own political discussions. This kind of behavior has a way of worming itself into the fabric of mainstream political discussion.
Listeners, you hold some responsibility as well. If these shows don't have an audience, they either change their format or fade away. Guess where that puts the power; directly in your lap. If the true interest of viewers is for this country to move forward, then you have to know deep down in your political soul that we can't get there with all the negativity flowing over the air-waves. If you need an anger fix, go to a hockey game or tune in to Jerry Springer. But please, don't continue to support these self-absorbed, air-wave instigators by continuing to watch or listen to their shows. It only encourages them.
Amen,this is why my children and I never watch or listen to media, why bombart yourself with opinionated bias driven by their own fear. These media people are consumed by their ego that is driven by negative thinking.
Posted by: Darren Garmer | November 22, 2008 at 10:08 PM