Monday, November 9, 2009

From Carson to Letterman; Cronkite to Hannity/Olberman

I watched Johnny Carson for about 30 years of my life and never knew how he felt about the party in power or what his idealogical beliefs were. He entertained america night after night without attempting to influence americans or use his status and ability to reach out to millions and millions of americans on his personal feeling about past or present presidents. That was a very good thing.

Times have changed 180 degrees, much to our detriment.

Now we get nightly put downs of Bush, Cheney, and Palin from that paragon of virtue and humanity from Mr. Letterman, almost one full tear since our presidency has been taken over by a super cool celebrity, who appears off limits from real criticsm.

When Bush and co. were in power Mr. Letterman took deadly aim on them nightly, poking fun, and pejoratively taking shots at them repeatedly, without an iota of respect for the office. Well now the office is very respected and praised quite often as Bush, Cheney, Palin (mainly those three) are still pilloried on almost a nightly basis. Why ? I guess because it's the cool thing to do, or so he thinks. I think not.

I think that it is mean spirited and an abuse of Mr.Letterman's control of the airwaves. How about trying to be genuinely funny, as opposed to sucking up to another idealogue, such as Bill "mr. know it all" Maher. I don't want to be told how or what to think by anyone. This applies equally to Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, Mr. O'Reilly, Mr. Matthews and Rachel Maddow. Just report the news. The facts, not your very personal opinion.

The one sidedness of our media, from newscasters to political commentators to late night and midday talk show hosts is an affront to all americans and not in the best interests of this country. Now I'm no fan of any of these networks, outside of PBS, but for this administartion to single out one network as being anti-american is beyond comical. This is supposed to be a COUNTRY that promotes freedom of speech, not hate bearing speech like so many of the anti-american muslims, living in this country, whether it's a network that supports your ldealogy or one that opposes it. The level of vitriol and hate filled attacks by one side against the other must cease. We all lose when we can't foster open and honest debate and discourse.

Unfortunately, Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, and Claire Booth Luce are gone and we are left with a bunch of celebrities fighting for ratings at our expense, only seeking fame, fortune, and laughs at the expense of all of the citizens of the United States.

Boy, do I miss Johnny Carson and Walter Cronkite.

1 comment:

  1. Well, I am too young to remember Carson and Cronkite, but it must have been nice to turn on the televison and hear "humor" from Carson or the "facts" from Cronkite. I don't watch the news anymore, I am tired of their opinions. It would be nice just to hear the facts, to form my own opinions, I too fear that will never come back.

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