Every Wednesday from 1 – 3 PST, you can tune into www.nowinla.com to check out Chey Bell and myself for The Outside Voice. 

This week, the topic is What influence does the media have in influencing voter opinions?  Are they informing us, or are they conditioning us?

Check out Chey’s thoughts below and get ready for the show! 

During the show, you can contribute to the live chat and be apart of the discussion … now what news program allows you to do THAT?? 

Soon after Hilary Clinton announced that she was forming a presidential exploratory committee, the media doer’s are hard at work drumming up convoluted media rhetoric. What choices do constitutes really have when pulverized with questions like “Are we ready for a Women or an African American President?” When most people seem to be motivated by the possibility of a brighter future, they now have to entertain a thought imposed on us by the invisible media people.
 

When media and advertising are some of the biggest influences on the methods of viewing and interpretation the world around us, I’m forced to consider the following: What is the media’s impact on shaping the decisions of voters?; Does it in fact play a role in why so many African American men are illegally obtained, searched and violated?; Does the media have anything to do with why my uncle June Bug can’t get a job?; What is the media’s role in little ole white women grabbing their purse when they see a black man walking in their direction?; Is there a relationship between a person who wears locks and the assumption that they must surely be the biggest weed smokers walking the planet?; Why does the media only identify beauty with blonde hair, blue-eyed size two types?; Can we separate these stereotypes as only relating to specific aspects of life, or do these same templates of media manipulation expand to the political arena?
 

By watching television, news media outlets are manufacturing our consent and shaping our lives.  Advertising has the ability to tell us what we need, what we should have, how we should dress and what we should listen to.  While I’m not suggesting that all TV is bad, I’m encouraging independent self thought.
 

Turn off the freakin TV once and a while, sit and meditate and perhaps quietly examine how YOU feel about whatever it is that YOU feel.  Question authority, trust that if something doesn’t feel right, be free to explore that.  Maybe have a shot of brandy and examine some more.  Too often we hear people say’ “Well it was on TV, it must be true”.  A Television can do many things, but the last time I poured a glass of water on it, it produced some sparks and a lot of smoke, it did not however; produce wine. 

For some people the thought of a women becoming the president of the United States is scary and dangerous, and the thought of a black man even thinking about the job is funny.  Through the course of the upcoming Presidential campaign, we can count on the media focusing on a lot of very trivial and unimportant rhetoric: Is Hilary Clinton going to get her hair done; will Bill be working in the Oval Office with the interns; Will Osama hire Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles to cater Sunday dinners in the White House; simply put; “A Bunch of dumb Shit.” 
 

Don’t become alarmed or let this distract you from the power you have to make your own decision.

Chuck Hagel on the Iraq Resolution – 24 Jan 2007

I don’t care why Senator Hagel made this speech, just as I don’t care that the only reason President Reagan signed and promoted ratification of the Genocide Convention was because of his unbelievable blunder at Bitburg Cemetary.

The importance here lies in the fact it was said. That Senator Hagel capitulated with honest reasoning and insightful articulation what lies at stake for the country, should be commended.

First, an apology:

As you know, last night was the SOTU, and I got a little carried away.  We were invited to a very swank party, and even though I can’t divulge too much information, let me suggest that anyone mentioning tequila body shots to Senator Biden better watch out.  And just for the record, Joe said he could handle it.  I mean, I wasn’t the one who talked you into doing Irish Car Bombs on the off chance that 9/11 wasn’t explicitly said in the speech!  {That was Kennedy!}  So Joe, if you’re reading this: TAKE SOME ASPIRIN AND SHUT UP ABOUT IT! 

Anywho …

I did want to post one of the funniest pictures from last night:

In the interest of full disclosure, let me just admit how I love Fox News Polls.  They’re so … so … just so dang SCIENTIFIC.  Needless to say, if your news station’s opinion polls are diametrically opposed to all evidence to the contrary, STICK WITH THAT STATION.  Let that be your beacon of light, and bless you as you wish “Merry Christmas” to all who enter Wal-Mart.

And who here thinks Hannity stuffs his jowls with cotton just to intimidate Colmes?  And when did they bring back Colmes cryogenically?  It’s a miracle, I tell you.

So now, dear readers, I must care for my hangover.  I only have a few minutes left before Kerry is going to knock on my door again demanding me to give him his copy of Xanadu back.  Damn him … I LOVE that movie!

Brave New Election

Wanting a change in politics? I suggest a brave new strategy on both sides of the aisle:

Elect someone who isn’t a white male.

Maybe the conversation would change – and the tone of the conversation would change – if white, Christian men weren’t always dominating the conversation. Perspective counts, as does perception, in politics. The demographics of our country are changing – maybe it’s time the demographics of our leadership does as well.

I am not, at this point, endorsing any candidate; however, I do love that on the left side of the aisle, the candidates look a lot more diverse.