After Barack Obama declined to appear on his Sunday morning program (after appearing on just about everyone else’s), Fox News Chris Wallace bellyached in the usual incestuous way “news” is disseminated on Fox about what he considered “whining” from the administration. The truth is rarely heard on Fox, but Wallace accidentally let slip one possible truism: that on Sunday the Fox did set aside time for serious news, inadvertently implying that during the rest the week, Fox was in fact engaged in something other than news.

Not that CNN is much different, spending much of its time disseminating stories designed to manipulate viewers’ emotions, relying on polls instead of hard investigative journalism, and generally disinterested in distinguishing the trees from the forest. There are few Sunday morning network hosts who actually take the hard news disseminating process seriously and do their homework (unlike, say, Lou Dobbs, who merely repeats what his hate group friends tell “Mr. Independent” to say). The only place where “serious” news dissemination is occurring on a daily basis on the airwaves is, seems to be on NPR and assorted progressive radio stations; newspapers themselves are increasingly failing to fill the void, as they become slimmer and more emaciated by the day. Meanwhile, right-wing talk (Michael Medved is a possible exception) delves almost wholly in clichés, talking points, blatant appeals to bigotry and bald falsity.

This fundamental failure to disseminate news contributes to an atmosphere where a large percentage of the population concerns itself with one or two issues that effects them personally, others—beyond bellyaching incoherently—just don’t give a damn, and a smaller percentage attempts (often vainly) to keep informed of all the issues that one way or another is conspiring to send the country down the path of doom. Sure, the UN this week is talking climate change and renewable resources, but how many people are paying attention? How many people want to take the time to understand the complex issues involved, let alone make the hard choices that must be made that will require a change in personal as well as governmental and corporate behavior?

It is one thing to hold signs, shout-out or stomp on cars; it is quite another to persuade an entire country of 300 million people to actually think about what they need to be doing to confront crisis on multiple fronts, and act accordingly. Even something as simple as bringing a reusable “green” shopping bag to the grocery store instead of using paper or plastic seems too difficult and require too much thought-processing for most people. It is only shortages or collapses that seem to force a change in personal strategy in the short term, but beyond that there seems to be a belief in magic acts rather than finding alternative strategies that will prevent future dependence on resources controlled by outside forces.

Perhaps events occur too slowly for many people to think long-term; it’s all too incremental to notice. They think “Why do we have to change anything? Things have been this bad before, but it will eventually get better in a year or two. Besides, if all these other people are not doing their part, what difference will it make if I do?" The problem is that little by little our manufacturing is leaving the country, natural resources are diminishing, the cost of goods and services rise will wages decrease. Day-to-day existence occupies the mind, leaving little room to be bothered with the world at large, other than to repeat what they heard or read that someone else who has time to sit around and ponder has said.

This is why it is important for Obama and progressive Democrats to stick to their guns and follow-through on a bold new vision for the future that addresses the roadblocks to growth and stability. Somebody must do it, because most of the masses would prefer to follow and react than do the busy work themselves. Meanwhile, those who speak in entrenched opposition should just be ignored entirely, because these cowardly bullies, when they are ignored, tend to get even more unreasoningly agitated, and reveal themselves even more to be completely irrelevant.

I do not watch Fox News because I do not want to contaminate my mind with garbage. Imprinting is a powerful experience. Once the mind is contaminated with garbage it is difficult to return the mind to its normal functioning.

For twenty-one years we have listened to Limbaugh, another reichwing clown. I wonder how many brain-dead Americans are out there from listening to Limbaugh? Do you honestly believe that their minds can ever function normally? These minds are too contaminated with garbage. Garbage in, garbage out!!!

Mark,

Ditto on the gloom and doom.
While I understand and agree with most of your thoughtful writings, I don't agree with your bleak assessment of "most people". I believe you are conflating the approximately 30%, (one third?), who really are too stupid, too afraid, or too mean and selfish to bother with. I believe another third of people are too preoccupied with their own lives or too apathetic at the moment to engage as they should. (This is our target and is where the "gold" lies) The final group are those of good intentions who are engaged; whether on the left or the right.
One thing history has demonstrated time and time again is that Americans have an unfortunate tendency to wait until they are at the edge of the cliff before they act. I'm unsure what can be done to counter this truth. Thom has been talking for sometime about movements. If you think about it, that is what most of us are struggling to accomplish; a movement. How do we identify what form of movement to promote and what is the "hook" which will inspire others to join together uniting their energies behind a cause or movement? Once you get significant enough numbers to attract attention, even the polluted media has to take note. The Internet is a powerful vehicle to spread the word, but only if it sparks real action. One may be able to spark a revolution from a keypad, but, that revolution must move to the streets to be effective.
Another problem from my perspective is that too many of us are too grandiose in our aims. We want to rock the Administration, or, rock the system etc. Perhaps if we lowered our sights and start by picking off the low hanging fruit, we could build upon success. For example, what if we were to target a few specific and especially egregious right-wing nut-cases and help to remove them from the stage? Do a test project. Bring the border-less power of the Internet and it's ability to pool funds down on a specific locale. What if the left wing progressives targeted a slimy blue dog Democrat? That would send a message to the DCCC and Rahm. Put a shot across their bow, so to speak.
Or...take out a real thorn in everyone's side like Michele Bachmann for example. The DCCC has been unable to be effective against her. Do it without their input. Gain the credit for the left. Here is the hard part. It takes money. It will take money to get money out of our political system. It will take a steely eyed pragmatism, an intelligent strategy and real effort, but it is doable. The key is to select the less expensive fights first. That is what the lobbyists have done. It is no mystery why they go after the Kent Conrads, Max Baucaus's, and Blanche Lincoln's. They come from cheap markets. We should do the same, maybe even start with State Legislators. 50K could turn two seats in a State race. We need to show the too often corrupted and spineless Dems how to do it. Many rank and file Dems are waiting for a savior and would arise behind this kind of movement.
Thus endith my rant. Sorry I'll sit down and shut up...for a while.

Gerald Socha,

Re: Your post yesterday:

'As Cyrano said, “One doesn’t fight in the hope of winning” (Mais on ne se bat pas dans l’espoir du succès).

I believe that Cyrano is speaking for me. I am 70 years old and in poor health. The people who are important to me will never have the clout or money to defeat the American fascist-Nazi powerbrokers. I carry on because I cannot and I will not remain silent or become complicit in the killing of God’s children on either side of the pond. When I meet my creator in judgment, I hope that I can say, “I TRIED TO MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE.”'

I have long believed that the world changes ONE PERSON AT A TIME. One person --- you --- is all you really have control over. I carry on because I cannot do otherwise. That is the only way I can live.

Bless you, Gerald. 'Wish I could give you a hug in solidarity...

Gerald Socha,

Please take a look at yesterday's post from brian a. hayes:

"thom just want to share this with you, my mentor is Dr. daisaku ikeda there is a daisaku ikeda website daisakuikeda.org think you might find it interesting"

Here's the first thing I noticed on that website:

"A great human revolution in just a single individual...will enable a change in the destiny of all humankind."

Gerald, 'sounds like you are on the right track.

Thom,

Your guest says "STUCK" with the single payer. What is motivating him?

Your second guest answered my question very eloquently!

About your apology for saying "S.O.B." ....

... one day, our grandchildren will look upon our peculiar institution of profiting from the misery of the sick with a horror similar to that with which we now look at our former peculiar institution of profiting from the misery of slaves.

It becomes like Christmas morning for me when I hear that Dr. Ravi Batra will be on in the third hour. I love third hours!

BTW, I actually favor a 3rd way where HealthCare DOESNT need a financial system, or anything need a financial system period.

But, C'est la vie.

Please let me know what the name of the article thom was talking about with christine earlier on the iraq war and that it was planned before 9-11 happened? I beleive he said it was daily kos but I can't seem to find it.

Thom,

You just mentioned that we need to open up the education system so that we have more Primary Care Physicians who are willing to work for ONLY $150,000 per year. I think we might be missing a larger point. Is anyone else a little concerned that we are arguing over anyone making ONLY $150,000 PER YEAR?!?!?!?! There are people in this country that go to work every day of the week and make 1/10th this much. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY COUNTRY? THIS IS ABSURD! GREED IS NOT GOOD!
Rant over.

West

How sad, this 'conservative' can't see why someone would try to do better without being paid more. There is just a very fundamental difference in how we see the world. Avarice becomes a virtue threw their eyes. Our values are incompatible because they demand being actively opposed to the other side when applied to public policy. It wouldn't matter if we all lived on our separate ranches. It is when their small-minded beliefs stretch past their fence lines and begin to impede their neighbors that opposition becomes necessary. You will never convince a fellow like the one that called of anything. Brute political force is the only remedy for those similarly afflicted.

Matt did seem awfully eager. I bet Rove did it. Mr. Lattimer may have made a BIG mistake misunderestimating ol' Turd Blossum! It was Karl in the studio with a candlestick!

@Annette: Google "Project for New America" Iraq 1999 and you get 2,620,000 opportunities to read all about America's plans to invade Iraq before the G. W. Bush Administration took office.

Thank you Randy,
That news puts a smile on my face. God Bless the Mt Vernon City Council. I'll bet that mayor has a fun time at City Council meetings.

To refuse to cooperate with a census worker is not only illegal but is likely to result in the loss of a great deal of money for your state of residence. Moron.

A PETITION TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS ABOLITION

Sign petition here:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/302/t/6687/petition.jsp?petition_KE...

Thom's third hour show with Ravi Batra (sp) was great.

If I heard him correctly, the bailouts will hurt the economy. He also said that we should fix the economy first before we try to fix health care. How can we fix the economy if the bailouts have hurt the economy?

He also said that we should first bring back manufacturing jobs through the auto industry. I say we should start with mass transit and the manufacturing of the light rail system throughout the country and efficient buses. Plus, we should move forward on energy efficiency jobs. Rollback the obscene taxcuts for the rich and for American corporations.

How can the economy be fixed with the prediction that we will have another financial meltdown in the next six to eighteen months? I see 90% of Americans wailing at the wailing walls that will be built with the definite financial meltdown.

The rich and the powerful will be extremely happy with the enslavement of 90% Americans. These will be glorious times for the powerbrokers.

Gerald Socha,

Wow --- it's a long list. Somehow we need to chop it up into small bites.

Thom, If you and Louise are in Portland right now you both might love to hear Dorianne Laux at Reed college at 6:30 pm tonight. She is the people's poet for our spirit.

http://www.reed.edu/visiting_writers/index.html

Here is a poem from her book "Smoke"

Figures

When he walks by an old drunk or a stumbling vet
he stops to rummage in his pockets for change
or a stray bill, remembers the cold urge
of fifteen years ago that kept his joy trapped
in a bottle or the stained nub of a roach
passed from one set of cracked lips to another.
Their creased palms open like scrolls
toward the bright coins of light, stamped like chips
of winter barter for the scraps and opiates of this city.
He won't ask and doesn't care
what his money is exchanged for: a blanket,
a pair of wrecked shoes, the harsh sharpened
glare of a needle, or a pack of smokes.
Who can calculate the worth
of one man's pain? what they need, he figures,
can't be more than what he owes.

Loretta,

HI! 'Glad to see your post. I missed you.

That was: me too....Loretta! I was so excited that I flubbed up again. You'all are so intimidatingly smart that I get nervous sometimes.

Quark, I am more disappointed than depressed. We are a country divided.

I will be away from the computer for a few days. Keep up the good fight!

I have just heard that Americans are stockpiling guns and ammunition at a record pace.

Is a civil war near?