From what I understand, there was a time when the American free press served as a watchdog and defended democracy by keeping a close eye on people who actually had the power to get things done. If the power was abused, the press reported and in some cases fanned the flames of public outrage.
I came in on the tail end of things, my serious interest in political stuff beginning in 1969 and building in intensity with the Watergate scandals and eventual resignation of Nixon. Over the last thirty years, it seems like the news media lost interest in being watchdogs, and now market their "product" to people who are also grand-scale consumers of television reality shows.
As if additional proof were needed, two recent "news" stories concern Hillary's laugh and Obama's missing lapel pin.
When confronted with an idiotic question from "the news media" or a stupid accusation from a political rival, Hillary has started laughing in their faces. What's called Hillary's cackle is a deep chuckle that conveys the message "You're so f-ing ignorant, I have to laugh." Anyone who's ever been ridiculed for saying something incredibly dumb will recognize that laugh.
Barack Obama was recently asked by a "reporter" why he wasn't wearing the customary American flag lapel pin. This is what passes for probing journalism in today's world. Obama answered to the effect that he thought the lapel pins had become a shallow form of patriotic display, and he believed he could demonstrate his love of country in more substantive ways.
Actually, I agree with Obama. The pins lost any symbolic value they had for me the first time I saw Tom DeLay wearing one.
On my scorecard, Hillary's laugh and Barack's missing pin have earned them bonus points. Politicians showing contempt for banality and superficial exhibitions of patriotism are a rare commodity.
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