Taking it for Granted

So there I was… sitting at my kitchen table having a glass of wine with friends.
We found ourselves talking about a recent news story about a young man who shot his entire family.

After everyone agreeing that it was a tragedy I shifted gears and asked why anyone would need to “spin” such a story… or modify it since plainly told it was horrific?

The context was that this event was held by the press as a reason to Ban “Assault Weapons”.

What I pointed out was that the weapon used by the individual was a .22 rifle. A rifle that is not included in any currently proposed ban. But more importantly, a rifle that is still left out of any discussion of the murders. In fact, had I not been a curious person I would have been left with the impression that an AR-15 was used to kill this boy’s family. The truth is, the family owned an AR-15 but it was not used. Of course that does not fit the narrative of “Assault Weapons” being evil.

My simple assertion was that the fact the rifle used was a .22 and not an AR-15 was intentional.

This is when I was hit by a simple question.  “Why do you think that is?”

I found myself speechless.

I realized that I take the media’s lack of historical perspective and deficit understanding of what this country was founded upon combined with their Leftist philosophy as a simple matter of fact.  I take it for granted.

I couldn’t believe that my friend didn’t find this common knowledge.  At first I thought she must be joking.  But then I quickly understood this to be an honest question.

While she views much of the world as I do, she enjoys listening to NPR and believes this “keeps her balanced”.  I would agree, that balance can be achieved by listening to as much as possible, but absent a strong understanding of governing theory one can easily get lost.  In other words, keeping your mind so “open” that your brains drip out your ears.

So I tried to explain that the Left controls the Media.  There are exceptions, but they are few and a consistent effort to marginalize those exceptions is well-funded and energetic.

I started with my personal experience in College and the exchanges with “Journalism” students and professors who were not at all interested in reporting facts, but “changing the world”.  These individuals were, without exception Socialists.  Being a Russian Studies Major made this observation less than difficult.  Of course, They would not have described themselves that way… but their actions and philosophies were demonstrable regardless of the label they chose to anoint themselves with.

In the end I was not satisfied with my argument offered to her which is why I’m writing this post.  I needed to include hard evidence to start the process of understanding… gleaned directly from those “objective” folks in the media who profess the super-human powers required to bring us facts sans any personal bias.

So here goes:

“Msnbc.com identified 143 journalists who made political contributions from 2004 through the start of the 2008 campaign, according to the public records of the Federal Election Commission. Most of the newsroom checkbooks leaned to the left: 125 journalists gave to Democrats and liberal causes. Only 16 gave to Republicans. Two gave to both parties.”

“You’ll never guess what he says he found — 235 journalists donating to Democrats while only 20 gave to Republicans for a total of $225,563 to Democrats and $16,298 to the the GOP-inclined.”

Can’t believe your favorite Media Personality could be a Leftist?  Can’t discern their bias simply by what they say and how they position the “news”?

Look them up…

Truth is often cold… and more pleasant when unknown.

I should know better than to take for granted others know what I have long understood.  Pleasant or not, I must remember to repeat that which I assume to be known by all.

Then I must demand the person I’m speaking with not trust me, and verify for themsleves what I’m saying.

Why? Because that’s how we learn… and frankly,

I don’t even trust me.

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