Agendas

[spence]

Originally Posted by Mike P

How about outlining the proof instead of stating it as an axiom?

While "proof" may be a strong word for some, when you combine the clearly stated intent of the Project for a New American Century (PNAC), the fact that a huge number of it's authors and advocates had key positions of influence in the first Bush term and the tremendous volume of quite credible reporting on the inside story after 9/11 on how the war was marketed to the world...

I think you can make a very strong case that Iraq was a war looking for an excuse. To me it's proof, but the burden in matters of opinion can be quite low

-spence

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by spence

While "proof" may be a strong word for some, when you combine the clearly stated intent of the Project for a New American Century (PNAC), the fact that a huge number of it's authors and advocates had key positions of influence in the first Bush term and the tremendous volume of quite credible reporting on the inside story after 9/11 on how the war was marketed to the world...

I think you can make a very strong case that Iraq was a war looking for an excuse. To me it's proof, but the burden in matters of opinion can be quite low

-spence

This can be said for probably thirty countries in the world, not just IRAQ.

[spence]

What can be said, that we had war plans?

-spence

[RIJIMMY]

Neb,

Cant really say. But one thing we forget about here and gets buried in the Bush-conspiracy, we have a government with checks and balances - the 3 branches. A president cannot just make laws. The Patriot Act, the war in Iraq - all approved by Congress.

So, I hope that if there are any hidden agendas, our structure keeps them in place. Regardless, due to the internet and cable news, politics gets more attention than ever, whoever gets in will continue to be under massize scrutiny and I think thats a good thing.

I thought I retired from this forum...........

[Nebe]

Your right Jim.. checks and balances... which reminds me.. I better check my balance.

[Rockport24]

checks and balances? oh you mean like how Cheney feels that he is exempt from providing info to the Information Oversight office or whatever the hell it's called? the list goes on and on, but this adminstration has skewed the system of checks and balances so far in their favor is it amazing.

[Joe]

The media sets the agenda. Mostly the NYT and WSJ. Virtually all secondary market newspapers use reprints from the NYT, WSJ or LA Times to fill their international and national sections. Television outlets cull from the same pool of stories and adapt them for tv - only with more of an influence on popular culture.
A story runs in a major newspaper and about week later, the national tv news or television news magazines like 20/20 will do tv version the same story.
Media slant is not as evident on the items that happened that everyone knows about: the reporting on major news events can be slanted, true, but its basically the same.
The real media power with respect to agenda-setting comes into play when they choose which stories to cover and which not to. Coverage of lesser known events can result in a great deal of attention often leading to letters to congress and eventually legislation. Lawmakers seize upon the same issues to further their own ambitions. The issues that count the most are the ones people are most aware of. It works the other way also, the public can be sidetracked away from real issues just as easily.