NPR / Bill O'Reilly versus Al Franken

For years, the Republicans have accused the "mainstream" media of a liberal bias. From the liberal perspective, the media is controlled wholly by conservative interests. The media considers itself to be "balanced."

Now, I've always believed that corporate and financial interests always trump the public interest. It's not right but it's simply the way that this country has become corrupted. Sadly, our country has been taken over by big corporate interests. Whereas the average reporter for the LA or NY Times may have liberal tendencies, the editors and owners of the big corporate media make the editorial decisions, decide which stories get aired and "manage" the message.

That being said, I am disappointed when NPR treats Al Franken as royalty and treats Bill O'Reilly with barely guarded hostility. I've linked this post to the Bill O'Reilly interview that aired this week on NPR's "Fresh Air." The Al Franken interview is listed on the same page and you can come to your own conclusions.

In Iran, there was a spectrum of viewpoints and it was easy to tell them apart. In the US, the media feigns neutrality. In an era where corruption reigns supreme in our government, the media should fight for the public interest.

Politics Aside (for a moment)

So, what will you be doing when the terrorists strike? The reality is that they most likely would love to strike the U.S. again. In fact, all of Mr. Bush's "war on terror" has done is to further galvanize anti-U.S. sentiments. I firmly believe that we are less safe today than we were on 9/10/2001.

What I don't understand are warnings such as those issued today by our Department of Homeland (In)-Security. What am I to do with the knowledge that "...disturbing intelligence indicates al Qaeda's specific intention to hit the United States hard"? I mean, other than raise my stress hormone levels and cause me to worry and lose more hair, what do you do with this knowledge?

We were attacked because of our short-sighted foreign policy since 1945. Time and time again, we support dictators and oppressive governments. We funded al Queda and the Taliban in their fight against the Soviets. We continue to prop up Pakistan and Saudia Arabia's corrupt and oppressive regimes. We have failed to bring a meaningful peace to the Palestinians and Israelis... and probably exacerbated the situation since Mr. Bush's administration came into power. Now, we are occupying and abusing Iraq.

So, they will attack us again - because we do NOT stand for peace, freedom or democracy. Because our actions speak much louder than any rhetoric our leaders deliver on the world stage.