tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post42305226896115466..comments2024-03-08T16:17:19.879+13:00Comments on AmeriNZ Blog: I have questionsArthur Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-83945379964063688742009-01-14T21:04:00.000+13:002009-01-14T21:04:00.000+13:001. Actually, the only changing aspect of language ...1. Actually, the only changing aspect of language that truly annoys me is misuse of apostrophes. In this case, I just find it odd that the newsmedia implies that it's anything other than one man with multiple wives.<BR/><BR/>2. That's the best explanation I've heard yet.<BR/><BR/>3. Yes, but there's a difference between religious belief, which they're entitled to, and using lies, distortions and utter nonsense in the promotion of a political agenda. The newsmedia seems incapable of telling the difference.<BR/><BR/>Having said all that, the christianist right constantly questions the beliefs of more moderate (and definitely liberal) Christians. Seems to me they ought to be able to take some questioning of their beliefs in return.<BR/><BR/>4. It does annoy me that the quality of coverage of public issues comes down to money. No wonder so much public affairs programming is shallow.Arthur Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-78723488494766764852009-01-13T03:33:00.000+13:002009-01-13T03:33:00.000+13:001. The same reason that newscasters always pronou...1. The same reason that newscasters always pronounce the un-accented 'forte' 'fortay' and not 'fort'. Because the language is changing due to a misuse and it annoys you ;).<BR/><BR/>2. Because most of the reigning (voting, policy-making, news-creating) liberals of today fought for civil rights and not gay ones. I predict that in 30 years it will be career suicide to use the word 'fag' somewhere but words like 'redneck' and 'Mexican' will be the new slurs much to the chagrin of 20-something immigrant and southern activists. Meanwhile 'negro' will become more colloquial than pejorative and 'nigger' will still find itself a really naughty word to use against black people. (Much like 'bitch' and 'cunt' are used today this long after the woman's rights movements).<BR/><BR/>3. Because it's their belief, and questioning beliefs is a big no-no. <BR/><BR/>4. Yes, but they aren't marketable right now.epilonioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532230027733099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-60444131977702557422009-01-09T12:11:00.000+13:002009-01-09T12:11:00.000+13:00Thanks for helping! You both help to clarify some ...Thanks for helping! You both help to clarify some of what I've been thinking, which for me is a very good thing.<BR/><BR/><B>Nessa: </B>I actually think what you said may apply to number four, too. It could be that there are liberal Christians who aren't offered the chance to comment on TV because the networks are afraid of the christianist right, and because there's more money in pandering to the right.<BR/><BR/><B>Roger: </B>Best explanation for one I've heard yet! I suppose it could also be the popularity of using generic words, like when brand names come to be used for a whole category (like "Kleenex" for all "facial tissues"). We Americans in particular tend to like language simpler, which is okay as long as meaning isn't lost or deliberately hidden.<BR/><BR/>I completely agree with you about institutional racism and the lack of proper coverage. My real point was how (mainly white) heterosexual liberals will make big noises (even if it's only noise) about racism, but will bend over backwards to accommodate homophobia and homophobic bigots like Rick Warren. The media does this, too, but my gripe here is with liberals who are "fair weather friends" who—to go farther than I did in the post—insist that I support every item on their political agenda, but refuse to acknowledge that I even have the right to object to their accommodation of homophobic bigotry.<BR/><BR/>You are so right about the media buying into the christianist right as definition of "Christian". We see it most blatantly when they parrot the phrase "people of faith", using it the same way the christianist right does, to mean only fundamentalists. If the newsmedia can't recognise they're presenting only one point of view, how can they fix it?<BR/><BR/>I think this relates to number four, as well—they don't even realise they're excluding other points of view. And your point about four ties in with what Nessa was sating about money: Right wing stuff makes them more money than moderate stuff. If there was money to be made on a liberal counterpart to Fox, you can bet the media companies would do it. But that doesn't excuse their current bias in their coverage of stories with religious aspects.Arthur Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-49170565080011903592009-01-09T09:30:00.000+13:002009-01-09T09:30:00.000+13:001. Americans can't spell words with three y's2. I'...1. Americans can't spell words with three y's<BR/>2. I'm old enough to remember when the media cast a blind eye on racism. It was only when the very overt form showed up (fire hosing children) did it get covered. I contend that institutional racism STILL doesn't get coverd adequately. <BR/>3. In part because they bought into this bill of goods that the Christian right WAS Christianity. <BR/>4. I don't know, but I suspect that it's the same reason that liberal talk radio fails (Air America notwithstanding).Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-17876405749889324582009-01-09T06:57:00.000+13:002009-01-09T06:57:00.000+13:00I don't have an answer to one and four, but I have...I don't have an answer to one and four, but I have the same answer to two and three. And my answer leads to more questions which may never have appropriate answers. But my answer is fear. I think in both cases the christianist right is considered such a bully that the majority of liberals and media are afraid of standing up to them. <BR/><BR/>I think money is another factor for media. It doesn't matter what they say, it's how much they pay.Nessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261263656404517481noreply@blogger.com