As The Dream Dies, The Dreamers Lash Out

Taranto's been really good on all this, so here's my excuse to link him, especially on calling the media The Authoritarian Media and deciding it's crossed a moral line.

I think that's sort of right. But then, I keep thinking there are no fresh hells for it to descend into, and it keeps proving me wrong.

This does feel different, though. This feels, as another writer (forget the name) said, as if the media has formally declared war.

And yeah, I guess gee whiz I can't say war anymore; but it does feel like they've decided there's no sense in a covert, or cold war, with us anymore; now it's out in the open. They'll say whatever they like. Truth has never been much of a restraint, but now it's not even a consideration. What they are required to print to advance their agenda, they will print, period, full stop.

And what is this war being fought over? Over the slight they feel that we no longer pay attention to them, that we no longer care what the fuck they think; since we're not listening, they'll just have to SAY IT LOUDER THEN WON'T THEY?

The campaign of vilification against the right, led by the New York Times, is really about competition in the media industry--not commercial competition but competition for authority. When Bob Schieffer and Steny Hoyer were growing up, the New York Times had unrivaled authority to set the media's agenda, with the three major TV networks following its lead.

The ensuing decades have seen a proliferation of alternative media outlets, most notably talk radio and Fox News Channel, and a corresponding diminution of the so-called mainstream media's ability to set the boundaries of political debate.

Its authority dwindling, the New York Times is resorting to authoritarian tactics--slandering its competitors in the hope of tearing them down. Hoyer is right. Too many news outlets are busy "inciting people . . . to anger, to thinking the other side is less than moral." The worst offender, because it is the leader, is the New York Times. Decent people of whatever political stripe must say enough is enough.

NYT Ten Years Ago: We don't like you.

Us Ten Years Ago: Oh? Why?

NYT Eight Years Ago: We really don't like you.

Us Eight Years Ago: You don't even know us. Maybe you should try to get to know us.

NYT Six Years Ago: We really still do not like you.

Us Six Years Ago: Yeah. You said that.

NYT Four Years Ago: We really do not like you.

Us Four Years Ago: Whatever.

NYT Three Years Ago: We don't like you.

Us Three Years Ago: --

NYT Two Years Ago: Did you hear us, we don't like you.

Us Two Years Ago: --

NYT One Year Ago: Are you getting this? We don't like you!

Us One Year Ago: --

NYT One Month Ago: We repeat: We really do not like you! Please acknowledge if you have received this message.

Us One Month Ago: --

NYT, This Week: MURDERS! KILLERS! SOCIOPATHS!!! AAAAUGH!!! PAY ATTENTION!! PAY ATTENTION, KILLERS!!!

Us, This Week: What is your problem, psycho?

NYT: Oh, thank God! We thought you'd gone!!!

Thanks to Slublog for putting together that p-shop for me.

Sorry, Right-Wing! There Was Only So Much Incitement Available And I'm Afraid We Used It All Up Ourselves! You want more? Geoff has more. Much more.

posted by Ace at 06:41 PM

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