It takes reliable information to make good decisions whether you’re buying a new car or deciding who you’ll vote for. But, election cycles always heighten questions of trust and the reliability of news sources. Who can we believe? Who can we trust? Who is most insightful?
In the 4th Century BC, the Greek philosopher, Diogenes, famously carried a lantern around daytime Athens “looking for an honest man.” History doesn’t tell us if he was successful, but wandering around town with a lantern isn’t going to do the job these days.
When the avalanche of information available on the Internet came, I felt that education’s primary purpose was to teach lifelong critical thinking skills, especially the assessment and credibility of information sources.
Last week a friend asked why I hadn’t posted a blog lately. The only answer I could offer was a case of PTSD caused by the dismal state of political discourse. It felt like we were condemned to watch two old dogs scratching at each other for position in the doghouse, one hobbled and dissembling, the other sclerotic overfed and whining about how unfairly he was being treated. With four months to go, the prospect of that stale fare was beyond depressing.
Even though I knew the 2024 presidential election would be critically important for the future of American democracy, I couldn’t overcome the torpor of the campaigns. Blogging about it would just be a repeat of my earlier expressions of disappointment. It looked like America’s future was going end up in the hands of a doddering octogenarian—one well-meaning, the other malevolent.
Then, miracle of miracle, close friends, political operatives and advisors prevailed on President Biden to step aside and let his younger more vigorous Vice President prosecute the case.
I can’t guarantee my PTSD is completely gone. It was eight years in the making and deeply ingrained, but I’m cautiously optimistic. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz look like the America I want going forward. It’s early, but their enthusiasm and growing momentum have helped revive the spirit and energy I felt during the Obama years. Their “joy” is refreshing and seems to be contagious.
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I’m probably exposed to too much news. I wake up to NPR or BBC then watch CBS Mornings. In the evening M and I get a mixed menu of MSNBC, CNN, and Fox. And while there are a couple of personalities I’d miss, my life would probably be better if our TV went dark until after the election.
What I would miss, however, are the satirists. Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, SNL, Bill Maher, and John Oliver along with print folks like The Borowitz Report, The Onion (now coming back with a print version), and Maureen Dowd.
Lately, wehave started our day by watching last night’s The Daily Show rather than CBS Mornings. It makes us smile rather than frown and fret. Jon Stewart is back on Monday night, and we’ve developed a liking for the rest of the cast – Desi Lydic, Jordan Klepper, and Ronnie Chieng – as well. Stewart’s take on politics is refreshing, funny, and entertaining. But he’s also a serious journalist. I remind myself, and you, that he’s devoted 23 years to making sure first responders are compensated for the health consequences of their service on 9/11. And while the cast of The Daily Show may lean left, they have a take no prisoners approach when political stupidity presents itself. Right or left.
Fox also has a “satirical” off-beat take on the news, but it feels more mean-spirited. Greg Gutfeld is the smirking host of Gutfeld, but his panel of experts, lounging in easy chairs, looks more like Jimmy Buffett’s Gypsies in the Palace than serious journalists or a comedy ensemble. They include a snarky pro-wrestler (Tyrus), a former NFL sideline reporter (Michelle Tafoya) and an aspiring libertarian comedienne (Kat Timpf) charged with making political commentary in a talk show format. I haven’t figured out if they’re a sideshow act or a trashy new version of The Talk.
No one has that problem with SNL or Late Night with Stephen Colbert. Their skits and monologues are plain old political satire. Make no mistake, satire is serious, but it’s tongue-in-cheek serious not mean-spirited serious.
Everyone gets the Borowitz headlines, “RFK Jr. Brings Much Needed Sanity to Trump Campaign” or “George Santos Declares Jim Jordan’s Identity Not Worth Stealing.” Everyone knows Colin Jost and Michael Che are being satirical on SNL’s Weekend Update (but I do miss Stephan). What makes satire so effective is irony, humor and exaggeration. It’s often an effective way to understand a society and provide insights into its collective psyche.
But, even I know we can’t just rely on political satire for our news. We need to figure out the serious side of the news as well. Who’s giving it to us straight? Who is today’s Walter Cronkite? Who’s going to tell us we’re losing the war—or our democracy? I don’t think there is a Cronkite or Huntley/Brinkley. Today’s network news is a series of sound bites that tease but don’t satisfy, and the PBS News Hour that used to be great when Jim Lehrer and Robin MacNeil were hosting now puts me to sleep. I still like NPR for daily reporting, but when I want serious opinion with historical context I like Heather Cox Richardson’s daily newsletter (available on Facebook) and Jill Lepore’s long form articles in the New Yorker.
There are 71 days until Election Day. This may be the last election I’ll see. I want a positive outcome so I can pass the baton to my children and grandchildren with hope for a bright future. Let’s do the right thing and elect the responsible grown up—who happens to be a woman and person of color. That’s an America for the future. Let’s get it right on November 5, 2024.
Jack, I always enjoy your posts and usually feel they need no rejoinder, but in this case I’ll make the exception and say that the answer to your question cannot be found on any screen. You’re much more likely to find the answer in well-respected newspapers, peopled with trained and experienced journalists. There, I’ve said it!
Jack
Yes, Cronkite, Jennings, & Rather were Bonafide journalists who reported the news as they saw it (albeit with some opinions inserted) Todays “journalists” are literally cheerleaders for the DNC and have turned on moderate Democrats of the old school. I now live in the world of podcasts, where all opinions are available and in-depth discussions abound unhindered by sound bites a 30 second video clips of choice.
Censorship. lawfare and cancellation are the new political tools replacing discourse and debate. I have never been a member of a political party and now consider myself a conservative libertarian. I voted for Kennedy, Nixon, Carter and Obama, all of whom did their own part in the gradual decline of our country. I did vote for Trump in 2016, only because he was an outsider, and while his presidency was unremarkable but relatively stable for four years. I will vote for him again this time because I abhor the path the left is taking the country and view him as the only option available to halt the slide.
Amazing how 2 friends can walk many of the same paths agreeing on most things that matter and yet come to completely different conclusions late in our lives regarding the basic survival of our country and Western culture.
Besides the service to my country, I spent much of my adult life seeking fun and hedonistic pleasures, I came late to understanding and appreciating what my country actually gave to me regarding freedoms and obligations via the Constitution of the United States. What is saddest now, is that nobody is listening to the other side. If you are indeed blind to the damage and dishonesty the progressive left has brought and can’t see their agenda of power and control going forward. I guess we are on opposite sides of the chasm and good luck with your advocacy.
Colin
Agreed, Harris/Walz is a breath of fresh air. Please, please, please,please!
And what exactly has Kamala done beside defunding the police while encouraging the thugs who burn our cities and destroy our historical statues. And setting up bail funds to put them back on the streets while saying they won’t stop and shouldn’t stop. I could go on but is this the country you want to leave for your kids and grandkids, and mine? For me the answer is NO.
I haven’t given up, and I’ll keep on shoveling!
Oh boy, you hit out of the park again!
I’ve missed you.. but you definitely made up for it! We are giddy & at the same time.. not wanting to think too much about the election and what could happen. It’s so great tho, to have this renewed HOPE
Thanks, Jack.
The danger of another Trump Presidency might never have occured had it not been for the sea change in American education. The total dedication STEM has eliminated most of the liberal arts.
As student in the 1950s I was exposed to Liberal Arts enough to develope a degree of interest and the ability to read a broader a broader range material.
In my university education for my BS in Aeronautical Enginering enough survey courses in Lib Arts were required to preserve that interest. It ever faded.
Without a broader education critical thinking become a lost art.