Network and local TV newscasts have been failing for decades now. The ratings for the past year show a continued slide that looks irreversible. But what’s more interesting these days is right-wingers claim credit for destroying network news (read the comments on the article at previous link). They cite growing ratings at Fox News as proof that it’s the place where news junkies are now cruising for fixes and where The Truth is only a Beck or O’Reilly episode away.
Maybe they’re right (actually, most TV news viewers are so old, they’re literally dying off). But why would any group who says they believe in America and freedom want to claim credit for destroying free speech and democracy? Then again, these people- who constitute the minority of political allegiance in America- believe now more than ever that they are not only correct about everything, and that most people agree with them, but that they are annointed by a deity with the mission and power to vanquish anyone who disagrees with them. They don’t even appear to care about the country or planet anymore. Just winning.
Is that really what America’s about? If so, maybe it indeed is just a dream.
