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Originally Posted by Katczinsky  The media has a profit bias, and therefore has an authority bias. Because they are private corporations, their main goal is to make profit. This is done by getting good ratings. When it comes to issues, they are mostly centrist (with the exception of Fox News) because that is where the majority of the American people are. But when it comes to government, they tend to favor those who are in power. Once they started working for their own pocket books, the media has been more inclined to go along with white house talking points, especially at a time of war. It is at these times that they don't want to be perceived as "unamerican" by questioning authority or else their ratings go down. Just look at what happened to CNN when they tried to air some footage of actual war (*gasp* imagine that...war is bloody).
Therefore the media rolled over in the run-up to the war in Iraq. They rolled over when our bill of rights was neutered with the swift passing of the USA Patriot Act. They (although at this point getting better) rolled over when our right to habeas corpus was shot dead. And they seem to be rolling over again when it comes to Iran.
Their job is to make profits, not to inform the American people. They have framed the public debate in a way so that it is staged, it's constant theater. The media only plays partisan hackery so that their ratings shoot up. There are no more honest debate shows anymore except for our last bastion of hope over at public broadcasting (which seems to be suffering a very slow death). |
Please tell me what right from the bill of rights YOU lost due to the patriot Act.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.