The state of American political discourse

[emainvol]

Reading this board has caused me to think a lot about this topic. As most of my current research pertains to the topics, I am curious to hear your thoughts. I am going to leave this pretty open ended, but the main questions I have are

1) How do you feel about punditry? Is there really a difference outside of their politics between people like Hannity and Matthews?
2) What's your take on blogging? Lots of blog links get posted through here, and as with any form of the subjective media, the truly informed should delve further into the things that they read, at least in my opinion. Do you agree? Disagree?

To steal a line from OE, thoughts?

[KB5252]

1) Same thing different brand

2) I read no blogs they are the internet version of National Inquirer.

[Lexvol]

Same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever....was.

[OrangeEmpire]

1.) No difference what so ever...... their primary goal is simple......... viewership which brings them advertisment which = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

2.) I guess for me is a a secret sin like Air America radio............ KB said it is like the NI........... how can any one not read the NI?

That crap is funny.............. this is how I view political blogs............

[JTrainDavis]

1) basically what has been said above

2) bloggers can be good for seeing a point of view, or as OE said, as entertainment.

The problems come when people decide that the published conjecture of a blogger is viable as a factual source.
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[T-TownVol]

....I'm sorry.....what was the question.....I was blogging

[BigPapaVol]

Lefties suck.
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[T-TownVol]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Lefties suck.
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ya...but they are hard as hell to hit when the sinker is working

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by Lexvol

Same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it ever....was.

A Talking Heads reference. Sweet.

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Lefties suck.
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Then here's hoping that Elizabeth Dushku is left handed.

[MG1968]

I never heard Hannity claim that it was his job to make sure the President succeeded.

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Originally Posted by MG1968

I never heard Hannity claim that it was his job to make sure the President succeeded.

Nah... there's already too many in the media group filling that position.

[volinbham]

1) No material difference.

I'd add that they really just reflect politicians. Politicians deal in extremes, misrepresent the opposition and generally use one-sided, specious arguments that emphasize some facts and ignore others altogether.

Pundits simply reflect the true political discourse - that of politicians.

2) Blogs are valuable for breaking stories that might otherwise be ignored or missed. They provide an outlet for viewpoints outside the media gatekeepers. That said, they lack credibility as a whole.

[Daddy Gee]

what would you say was the most vitriolic period of American political discourse? I know the run up to the Civil War was pretty bad. Any others?

[rjd970]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

Lefties suck.
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I prefer the middle finger in politics.

[paul1454]

Originally Posted by volinbham

1) No material difference.

I'd add that they really just reflect politicians. Politicians deal in extremes, misrepresent the opposition and generally use one-sided, specious arguments that emphasize some facts and ignore others altogether.

Pundits simply reflect the true political discourse - that of politicians.

2) Blogs are valuable for breaking stories that might otherwise be ignored or missed. They provide an outlet for viewpoints outside the media gatekeepers. That said, they lack credibility as a whole.

Well said.