If The News is Written, but not Published, Did it Happen?

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION
by Bob Risse

We are in a sad state of affairs when our mainstream media dictates what is news and what isn't. History will judge our "democratic" press as little more than a propaganda machine for the corporate and government elite. Why else would we be subjected to the "beatification" of Ronald Reagan in spite of the historical reality of the facts. I will not go into details, but suffice it to say: he did not end the "cold war," he was not the most popular president in history, his "trickle-down" economic policies didn't work, and he presided over the most corrupt "regime" of any president. These are facts. They are indisputable. I was there as most of you were; did we experience this or not?

Yet, we have a press which will never print or even hint at the TRUTH. Why? Because it is controlled by a handful of very wealthy corporations who deem it in their interest (not the peoples) not to be concerned with TRUTH. How is it half the people in this country still believe that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11 when Osama bin Laden was a sworn enemy of his repressive "secular" state? How is it that the American people can be lead to a devastating war based upon lies? Where was the press when the Supreme Court "elected" Bush?

Yet, we stand around and wave flags and beat our drums as if we are truly informed. Eighty percent of the American people get their news from this mainstream press (newspapers, television, radio, and their internet clones.) Yes, America, we are in a sad state of affairs. Thomas Jefferson was asked whether he would rather have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government and he boldly chose the latter. Unfortunately for us today the newspapers are the government.

Bob Risse
Teacher in Arizona
6/8/04

A BUZZFLASH READER CONTRIBUTION