Avoiding the Shouting

As I begin a new blog for the Des Moines Register, I want to remind myself and those of you kind enough to read it that what follows is simply my take on a slice of American political life. Lately, there has been a rush to compare the coverage of recent events by traditional media outlets to that of talk shows and blogs. Not surprisingly, traditional media dedicate less time and column space to some stories than do their non-news counterparts. Bloggers and talkers have the luxury to cover part of the news to make a point while the others try to cover a more complete picture.

Since people are involved, it is foolish to say newspapers and television news organizations can report information completely free of bias even with the best of intentions. But, there is a fundamental difference between putting together a newscast and producing a talk show. Blogging on a few select topics is unlike producing a newspaper that covers community, national and/or world affairs.

For instance, it is easy to understand why right leaning Fox News and similarly aligned bloggers might dedicate hours of coverage to the resignation of White House staffer Van Jones. His outlandish and racist comments made Mr. Jones a deserving target. More important, attacking the Obama Administration plays to the Fox audience. It is also easy to understand why Fox News and crowd mostly skipped the 2005 resignation of Bush White House staffer Philip Cooney who repeatedly toned down government climate documents to play down global warming. While it appears Mr. Jones never had the opportunity to use his position to influence a particular policy, Mr. Cooney actually used his to do so. However, attacking Mr. Cooney or a Republican President would not play well with conservative viewers. I get it.

Free speech is good. Debate and discussion help to make better decisions in a democracy. However, some of the talk shows and bloggers are breeding a toxic animosity by desensitizing us to name calling and disrespectful dialogue. I will do my very best not to do that here. I have promised the folks at the Register that I will speak my mind on a wide range of political topics. Hopefully, my musings will start a discussion. When you think I am wrong, I hope you will say so. The Register’s new blog initiative is supposed to stimulate a conversation, not another Internet shouting match. (Here’s hoping we can pull it off!)

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to what is to come.

This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register blog entry.