The WRight Way
By Ron Wright
(Cazenovia) Before starting on my main subject, did you see the recent interview of President Obama by Bill O’Reilly? Several choice responses include: Bill asking the president about his dramatic pre-2008 election declaration that America needed to be fundamentally changed! President Obama replied “I didn’t say that,” and promptly proceeded to talk about other things of little relevance.
O’Reilly then offered that many people feel President Obama is the most liberal president in the history of the United States. President Obama countered with, “Richard Nixon was more liberal.” The president has been accused of “running out the clock” when being interviewed by employing deception, “rabbit trails,” non-answers or pseudo-answers. You may have your own ideas.
In recent decades as political sides draw further apart, communication modes have fallen into familiar patterns. On the left, sympathetic viewers tend to be more visual. Various liberal news/humor TV shows feature personalities who employ fairly dramatic in-your-face styles. On the right, you will find more talk-radio. Successful, I might add. The conservative hosts are generally known by their facial image but most of their active communication is audio unless you insist on video cam.
The liberal TV show host/reporter/commenter often uses visual stimuli in the form of facial expressions. These may include contempt, outrage, “crazy eyes” or whatever to cast doubt about and make fun of their political adversaries whether they be other TV personalities, politicians or whatever. The blank stare is a favorite. The host will make a demeaning remark about someone or their position and then employ the “deadpan or bug-eyed stare” until the sympathetic audience (using canned or real laughter) breaks loose in raucous agreement.
How about the thinly veiled smirk or a raised eyebrow or squint? Very effective. Or employ various physical gyrations to add to the visual exhibition. What does this say about the news sourcing and relative intellect of the college age, 20ish or 30ish viewer? Visual equals instant gratification.
There are few limits when it comes to attacks by liberal celebrities as long as the assaults are heaped on approved targets. The targets can change. For liberals the State of Israel was off limits until not that many years ago. Now it is a target. Family members of conservatives are cheap and easy targets for contempt and slander.
Making faces is an easy and primitive technique. It certainly appeals to the very young. Make a happy face or a sad face and any little child quickly gets steered towards your point of view. Juvenile is a word for it. Or try making various gestures while seated or standing up. The more outrageous the better. Your watchers like action. Really catches the attention. Somewhat like a magician. Or a pied piper. Or a propagandist. Or charlatan. Or demigod.
Contempt, suspicion and hate for conservatives and what they stand for are some standard weapons of the left wing communicator. I tried listening to several liberal radio stations several years ago while driving. I tried to see where any intellectual thought train was going. Nowhere because the two individuals on the radio station were sparring with each other about who despised George W. Bush the most. Pretty boring in short order. Liberal radio has a sorry lifespan.
Conservative radio offers arguments, philosophy and rationales for causes. Sure there is some humor. Certainly the commentators come down hard on the policy and actions of the whole gamut of left wing personalities; however, there are no facial grimaces to anticipate as you are driving your car. You have to actually think for yourself. Agree with the host’s position or not, there is something tantalizing and thought-provoking there. Not seeing a face, a gesture or a prop encourages intellectual activity.
I try to watch liberal programs if they are watchable. I don’t need to get stimulated by watching for the next clown to roll his or her eyes or grimace. Ever watch The Ivory Tower on public TV? About 6 or 7 CNY college staff or administrative academics spend a lot of time giving As to liberal ideas and Fs to conservative ones.
I watch it to see what these people are thinking. I can anticipate their comments about 98 percent of the time, but I do watch the program. Recently one of the participants gave an “A” to a large newspaper that would no longer print conservative views on a certain subject. The moderator usually ends the program with a resounding “Let the debate continue!”
I reliably read the editorials of our major CNY paper. Usually I disagree with the positions but I do carefully read them.
I personally know of several college-aged folks locally who have been sternly advised by profs not to listen to any conservative talk radio. So much for academic freedom. Also, you can consider the reception most conservative commentators receive on most college campus venues – anywhere from audience catcalls and insults to body guard-level prerequisites for some female conservative speakers.
Isn’t freedom of speech and thought wonderful?
Ron Wright of Cazenovia is a retiree with keen interest in his family, history, politics and his church. He began putting his thoughts on paper a little over a decade ago to share with family and friends. Ron, whose column appears the third edition each month, may be reached at madnews@m3pmedia.com.