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Republican Rags

by: Ann Galloway

Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 06:33:05 AM EDT

Most of us already know that press censorship and propaganda have replaced a media that formerly served to inform the public. What may be less obvious to some readers is an additional "dumbing down" of the news, prompted by an apparent failure of our education system. An avid news hound and hopeless bookworm, I have become acutely aware of the fact that many otherwise good writers -- if you simply evaluate ideas or creativity -- no longer understand the concept of noun-verb agreement and also cannot distinguish between a noun and an adjective. In the latter case, politics have come into play. I recently submitted the following letter to two Connecticut publications; however, it is unlikely that either paper will print it, as my comments reflect poorly on the publications themselves. Here's the letter:

Ann Galloway :: Republican Rags

GRAMMAR ANYONE?

As a former textbook editor, I am appalled that our Connecticut media has become so accustomed to employing Republican "talking points" that they even have sacrificed the use of proper grammar in order to diminish Democrats. This past week, the Connecticut Post described a "Democrat Party endorsed candidate." And in announcing the Greenwich Town Committee's annual picnic, Greenwich Time referred to the DTC in its headline as "Democrat Group." Is it really possible that people who make a living generating the printed word no longer know the difference between a noun and an adjective? The alternative explanation - employing deliberate pejorative bias - is not appropriate on the so-called "News" pages of respectable papers; in the old days, opinions were reserved for the "Editorial" pages.

If Connecticut's papers want to play this ungrammatical game fairly, I might suggest a few labels for the "Republic" party as well. For starters, please give the following due consideration:

Public Cans - in honor of Senator Craig

Pub Licks - recalling our dry-drunk President

Repubie Cons - toasting adolescent right-wingers-in-training

Re-packaged Cons - for the likes of Romney, Guiliani, Thompson, Lieberman & Shays

[Additional suggestions are more than welcome]

Tags: Education, propaganda, Democrat, Republican, Connecticut Post, Greenwich Time, press censorship, Media, 4th Estate, (All Tags)

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Republican Rags | 6 comments

Have you heard back from the papers? (4.00 / 2)

This deserves a follow-up and pressure on both of them. Their use of the pejorative form is nothing but an insult, and they know it.

Way to go in taking those "professional journalists" to task for their snarky treatment of members of the largest political party in this state and in this country!!

by: thomashooker @ Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 14:57:48 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Published Today (0.00 / 0)

Greenwich Time published the letter today (9/24)-- absent the tongue-in-cheek suggestions listed above.

by: Ann Galloway @ Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 18:56:12 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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I think "Democrat Party" is here to stay. (4.00 / 2)

Thanks to Roger Ailes and Faux News, I believe their repeated use of Democrat Party has made it legitimate in the same way as bling-bling. It also doesn't help that our jackass president uses it in a daily basis.

I recently sent an e-mail to a reporter from the Norwich Bulletin admonishing him for using the phrase; I titled the e-mail: The suffix ic. I was hardly surprised that I received no reply. I wrote them back in May when they misrepresented the numbers of protesters when the Jackass-in-Chief spoke at the Coast Guard.

Bottom line: traditional media sucks.

by: snorwich @ Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 21:55:46 PM UTC

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Here to Stay? (0.00 / 0)

It was pleased to see that Keith Olbermann -- on his return to the air from his recent surgery -- made a point in his commentary of pointing out this (deliberate) offense. The Republican media machine is good, in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways, at diminishing Democrats at every opportunity. If further proof were needed, look at the massive campaign to assault MoveOn for an ADVERTISEMENT. The Ad itself was factually accurate; so they launched a very effective full-scale attack on the "headline," which while offensive to some people certainly was within the bounds of free speech. Yet look how many Democrats came on board. Apparently, only liars and right-wing organizations are entitled to cast aspersions and get away with it. Everyone else will be chastized and intimidated. Our choice is to ignore this obvious unfairness, or else to point it out and fight it with whatever tools still remain available; and the supply of these tools is fast diminishing.

by: Ann Galloway @ Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 14:26:11 PM UTC

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Here to say like "wap," "wetback," and "polak"? (0.00 / 0)

It's nothing but an insult, and any reporters who employ that insult should be called on the carpet. I'm not willing to sit by and have my party insulted by anyone.

We should give them hell!!!

by: thomashooker @ Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 17:02:06 PM UTC

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Give 'em hell (0.00 / 0)

I couldn't agree more! Thanks.

by: Ann Galloway @ Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 17:46:14 PM UTC

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