Son,

A day or two ago I wrote a piece I called “Bloggers – Op-Ed on Steroids.” My notion was that bloggers, including myself, are uninhibited writers – absent the politically correct urine and vinegar. Bloggers come right out and speak their mind with no editorial over site. I continue to believe there is an undercurrent of anger in this country that is bubbling to the surface. I was wrong in suggesting that the phenomenon was limited to bloggers.

Today’s newspaper had a column by Michael Reagan, son of a strong and principled man. Michael is an example of the loss of dignity, integrity and professionalism that is sweeping the conservative media. Let me give a couple of his quotes: ‘gasbag liberals,’ ‘Reid was bad enough, dredging up the specter of imagined global warming to explain why California was burning, but Sen. Boxer out did him by reaching down in to bag of slime…’ ‘…tree-huggers and spotted out-lovers…’ Mr. Reagan – who is reaching into a bag of slime?

So I would like to say to ‘professional journalists’ everywhere – get off your high horses, those horses have had their legs knocked off by your own irresponsibility. The mainstream media, led by the bully Fox News, has set the tone of social discourse back by about a hundred years.

Printed News Papers were the proliferating new technology of the late 1800’s. I have written before about the advent of Radio, TV, and Cable News. The ups and downs of integrity in journalism must cycle through every new technology.

It seems to me now that journalism in general, across all mediums, has taken a decidedly low road. Spitting venom seems to be the new norm. Crass bullies are taking over the playground.

Dad

See Also: On Government