It is interesting to see that the media, especially the more liberal organs of the media, are already trying to impart anti-Bush spin to the sad case of Terri Schiavo. The story was the first one reported this morning on the BBC World Service World Update program. Both the BBC announcer, Dan Damon, and and the guest speaker, former US Labor Secretary Robert Reich, stated very clearly that the intervention by President Bush in the case could "backfire" against the Republicans. I doubt it. We have heard the media throwing out that exact story line before within the last year in another prominent case where it was obvious that the opposite was true – a fact widely admitted only post election.
Interesting that the Beebe chose Robert Reich, an economist, to speak about a matter that involves the law and medical ethics. Perhaps most Democrats are keeping a low profile on this issue, which may be another and more reliable indication that the Beebe's slant to this story is buncomb. You can listen to the BBC interview here.
Today's Boston Globe has a much more interesting story about what it describes as an uneasy alliance between a disabled rights group and Republicans. It's worth reading. Another fact that remains unreported it seems is the origin of Bush's term "culture of life." Have we perhaps heard that used once or twice before? If I'm not mistaken, the most prominent person to use that term frequently in the last decade is coincidentally also seriously disabled. He's a very old man with Parkinson's disease who lives in Rome.
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
I'd like to think that the Republicans will get this Schiavo business broke off up in them. They certainly DESERVE it.
That I'd like for it to happen, of course, doesn't mean that it necessarily will. Republican boldness and Democrat timidity on this would seem to indicate that they have polling data saying that this issue is a hit.
Yet, public opinion polls I've seen ALL give large majorities opposing both the feeding tube and especially the Congressional intervention. Perhaps it's two-thirds soft opposition, and one third FERVENT, we'll-get-out-knock-on-doors-in-your-next-campaign support.
2 - Rob H.
So often, it appears that the Republicans continue to benefit from their belief that the American public is fundamentally stupid. Finally, there appears to be a glimmer of hope that the average guy on the street is savvy enough to go, "wtf - where does Jebb and GW get off politicizing this sad, and private, family tragedy".
3 - El Bicho
Interesting that you ignore Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn) comments on the matter.
"There are going to be repercussions from this vote. There are a number of people who feel that the government is getting involved in their personal lives in a way that scares them."
Harry, you get extra points if your response doesn't have the word "interesting" in it.
4 - gonzo marx
ut oh..check to see if Hell has a hockey team...i think Al and i are in agreement here
i've ranted enough on this topic in other Threads
but let me say this about the "culture of Life" bit...when the Pope says it..i listen , with Respect...tho i am not a Catholic, and dislike the Church for many reasons..i do Respect the Man for what he has done and for the strength of his Principles..
when the Shrub spews out those words, it hits me as a hypocritical platitude taught him by Rove as a way to score a few points...
let's remember that as Governor he executed more juveniles than the rest of the world, combined...under any Legal system...and just look at the case of a few days ago...a 5 month old baby, who would never be off life support was unplugged under a Law in Texas that gives medical doctors and the patient's ability to pay, jurisdiction over family preferences...
this was signed into Law by then Governor GW Bush
so spare me the spin...k?...thanx
Excelsior!
5 - Al Barger
OK then, two points for Chris Shays. At least on the Congressional level in recent weeks, this has clearly been driven by Republican leadership as a partisan issue. However, that doesn't mean that ALL Republicans should get tarred- just most of them.
6 - gonzo marx
to my Knowledge Shays, is one of the Good Guys..a fellow that stands on Principle in an Ethical manner...and doesn't sway in the wind of Party or Political expediency
now..can anyone point me out another from that side of the aisle that stood on such Principle during this past fiasco?
i would rather the what...100 Demlicans that chose to stay home completely, than the rabid Repubocrats that scurried when Rove, their master , tooted his dog whistle...
but yer milage may vary
Excelsior!
7 - alienboy
Interesting posts. Could I just clarify for people thast the BBC is NOT a liberal or leftist-leaning media outlet.
That people can say this in public, apparently in all seriousness, is a telling example of how far to the right the perception of the media has gone...
I still don't understand why nobody in the USA has sued Fox News for it's cynical usurpation of the phrase "fair and balanced reporting". After all, people sue over far less these days...
8 - Harry Forbes
Thanks for the suggestion about the poor wording, El Bicho. Point well taken. I apologize. Haste makes waste.
Alien, after their months-long jihad against the British PM, I believe most members of the Blair government would agree with my comments on the BBC. I have listened to World Service for many years and find their programming quality has decayed in ways very much like US television news (Fox included).
9 - simon hb
Harry, you do realise that, um, Blair heads up the Labour Party, and we supposedly at least have a liberal/leftist government here in the UK?
Even if we accept your ridiculous claim of "their months-long jihad against the British PM", can you explain how an establishment broadcasting organisation attacking certainly the most socially and economically liberal government the UK has had since the late 60s would be evidence of left-ist leaning? (A better answer than 'because Murdoch says so', please)
10 - Harry Forbes
Yes, Simon, I do indeed realize that the UK has a Labour government not a Tory one.
The jihad against Blair was the result of his deviating from his party's wishes (he calls this leadership) regarding the Iraq war, his standing with Bush on this issue, his persuasively articulating a case for war (not a Bush strength!), and his taking much of the heat away from Bush in the build-up to the war.
This infuriated leftists within Labour, and (not coincidentally IMHO) also the BBC.
11 - simon hb
But Harry, you do realise there isn't a jihaid against Blair, don't you? In the UK, there are questioning programmes made about all political figures. It's just absurd to suggest that there's a big conspiracy.
And, yes, humanitarians in the BBC would, i suspect, have been upset by Blair's behaviour with regard to Iraq. But, like most professionals, they wouldn't let that influence how they do their jobs.
Question: If there's such a big jihad, how does that show itself in the coverage of the legal advice for war on Iraq this week?
12 - Harry Forbes
I don't mean to suggest a "vast conspiracy". I'll leave that to the Birchers and the junior Senator from New York.
I do suggest that a political agenda has much influence over the Beebe's coverage, and that a poor business process combined with the utter lack of political diversity within MSM organs like the BBC enables this practice to flourish.
For another example (besides Rathergate), the USA has recently seen lobbyist organizations sponsoring coverage of particular issues (like campaign financing) on our public radio broadcasting network (NPR), with the money channeled to NPR from the lobbyists via supposedly non-partisan foundations. See John Fund's latest piece.
My day job will prevent me from commenting further until later. Sorry.
13 - simon hb
So... it's a jihad that isn't a vast conspiracy? What sort of holy war would that be then?
Regardless of what the situation is in the US, in the UK the only direct way anyone can use finance to influence BBC programming - something I would accept does happen - is through the licence fee. Which is set and controlled by the government. Which would appear to be the target you suggested of the attacks from the BBC. Which makes it all seem unlikely.
Where do you get the idea that there's a "huge lack of political diversity" within the BBC staff from?
14 - RedTard
I'm glad to see one less crippled burden on society sucking up my tax dollars. I also love to watch the Christoid protesters suffer when ther Quixottic campain ends in failure.
Die Terri Die!!
One burden eliminated and a serious blow to the Republicans for their interference in the authority of the courts. The media really caught them this time.
15 - Tristan
Red Tard!
My hat's off to ya laddie---
noone can accuse YOU of not speaking up and saying what's on your mind...
I bet a lot of people were thinking the exact same thing but wouldn't jump out in front of everyone and say it....
Sooooo politically "incorrect", eh~~~
A Guiness for you lad!