tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post4819990362749598729..comments2024-03-19T08:42:45.690-04:00Comments on The Delaware Libertarian: FDR, Reagan, Clinton, Obama: a continuum...Steven H. Newtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-24952349861163639322009-03-05T13:02:00.000-05:002009-03-05T13:02:00.000-05:00TylerIf I read you correctly, you are arguing that...Tyler<BR/>If I read you correctly, you are arguing that concentration on narrative is a post-Reagan development. It's true that the term is post-Reagan, but Reagan's own diaries and letters make it clear that not only did he understand the concept, he was a skilled practitioner.<BR/><BR/>Each of these eras is singular as being a period of relative information overload.<BR/><BR/>The 35-year gap coincides not so much with MSM domination, but with the Cold War and its impact on all American media.<BR/><BR/>I tend to disagree that the Obama (or Clinton) people are doing anything unusual in American politics. Demonizing your opponents goes back to John Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin van Buren. It is a staple of American politics. But what's happened in that the media evolves at a much faster rate these days, giving those who have a better learning curve a tremendous advantage in politics.<BR/><BR/>It is important to be able to separate analysis of process from anger of policies. Otherwise, all you do is guarantee that your opponents will continue to get the better of you.Steven H. Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-91550692444272688972009-03-05T12:20:00.000-05:002009-03-05T12:20:00.000-05:00I note you left JFK off of the list and rightfully...I note you left JFK off of the list and rightfully so.<BR/><BR/>While Kennedy was a master of media insofar as image, he was hardly in any control of the "narrative".<BR/><BR/>I also notice a post-WWII to Carter (~ 35 year) gap in anyone "controlling the narrative". <BR/><BR/>I suspect that this period can be considered the high water mark of an objectively-credible "mainstream media", ironically because of its concentration and the singularity of control over mass information dissemination.<BR/><BR/>No politicians really got a break basically, or were able to be master of any "narrative".<BR/><BR/>What is true since Reagan is that it has all become about the "narrative", rather than cold hard reality.<BR/><BR/>I think it is great to have a plethora of information and opinion now available, but I fear the lines are becomingly increasingly indistinguishable between objective factual recitation/reporting and slanted subjective spin used to push any/every 'angle'.<BR/><BR/>The fact that the seedy Clintonite crew is back in force, with Obama at the top, up to their old same old cheap cynical distractive media trickery and absurd personal demonization....WHILE THEY ARE IN POSITIONS OF IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER....bodes poorly anyone tired of Orwellian deceit reigning over the national dialogue.<BR/><BR/>They may get away with leading around an obeisant corporate media by its nose - with a massive chorus of pseudo-media internet partisans cheering - but their inanity and nonsense does nothing but cheapen the national discourse.<BR/><BR/>Straw men, boogey men, messiahs, demons...whatever it takes to consolidate more power in themselves.<BR/><BR/>But then, I have heard few credibly challenge the notion that the likes of the Clintons, Begala, Emmanuel, Carville et al are little more than cheap dirty partisan manipulators, willing to poison all the wells, as they guzzle from the fountain of power. <BR/><BR/>Come to think of it, they are perfect for Obama - all the president's men (and women). <BR/><BR/>This is the area of promised change in which Obama was absolutely the most deceitful and now the most disappointing.Tyler Nixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03009459340275592274noreply@blogger.com