Have you ever wondered if your parents influence your political beliefs? Both of my parents and their families are hardcore democrats, as am I. I often wonder if I would be a republican/conservative if I lived in a different family. Does anyone else feel the same way? Or is it just me?

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Originally posted by redrepublican:


Fine that's great. That's the way it should be. But why not show the soldiers military offenseiv campaigns agains the insurgents.

Because that would take up too much time. Furthermore, there is no need. It's not really relevant to most americans is it?

I think what Red is trying to say is that the media reports only our soldiers' losses and not their successes: reporting only the American deaths and not balancing it out with the enemy deaths or the number who lived in a battle.

Ex.: "Two Soldiers Lost After Insurgents Ambush X Company" (while mentioning that a company is about 25-50 soldiers)
or "Ten Soldiers Die to Eliminate Insurgent Machine-Gun Nest" -A victorious, heroic-type story.

I don't know. I mean, sure I'm like you Blue, but my parents will say things about Republicans and I'll think "You know...that's mean. And wrong."

So, honestly, I don't know. I try not too think to hard about it because then it interferes with all the rest of my....deep thoughts...

lol.

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That's what they always talk about; death. To ignore it would just be...un-news like, especially during a war.

Look at my post ICE. I'm not saying that we should ignore it, that would be wrong to. But to report soley the deaths has put a strain on the American people.

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The focus is on our soldiers and their lives, not much else, and that's how it's always been in previous wars.

Fine that's great. That's the way it should be. But why not show the soldiers military offenseiv campaigns agains the insurgents.

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I live in a democratic state and the news coverage even here isn't negative, in fact it's positive in supporting our troops and efforts there...so I don't know where you saying it's negatively biased at large really comes from.

Reactionary posted a great link in another topic about Media bias. I suggest you look at that.

Red, the thing is that people mostly care about the negative news. It is great that schools are being built, but mostly people want to hear about our soldiers.

The elections were a huge positive and they were widely covered.

-----"""Somthing other than "Suicide Bombs kill 23," or " 'Iraq is a Qaugmire""""---

That's what they always talk about; death. To ignore it would just be...un-news like, especially during a war. The focus is on our soldiers and their lives, not much else, and that's how it's always been in previous wars. I live in a democratic state and the news coverage even here isn't negative, in fact it's positive in supporting our troops and efforts there...so I don't know where you saying it's negatively biased at large really comes from. Remember that a lot of people were just in opposition to the way the start of the war was handled, and now just want us to do well.


Now to get back to the original subject of the board a little...my parents did not influence my political beliefs. They weren't the most involved parents, which was sorta lame, but I always liked it that they really didn't force any of their personal beliefs or opinions onto me, because I can see people whose parents have done that, and it annoys me, because they're not thinking for themselves. In fact I pretty much knew my own political beliefs before I knew my parents.

Fine report "the blood". I'm not saying make this war look overly positive. But reporting positive stories isn't going to hurt.

One saying I've heard about the media is that "nobody reports houses that don't burn." It's not a political slant that leads to negative coverage of the Iraq war, it's the belief that where there's blood, there's a story.

What I am saying is that there should be a more objective approach to this war. I am pretty sure that everoyne agrees with my that the coverage on this war has been largely negative. I just iwsh they'd talk abou tschools being built or more abou thte offensives that are being engaged in throughout Iraq. Somthing other than "Suicide Bombs kill 23," or " 'Iraq is a Qaugmire', Kennedy says"

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Originally posted by redrepublican:

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People supported Bush at the start of the war with the liberal media

At the beginning of the war there wasnt much else to report. I am not advocating that the media agencies should be turned into propaganda departments of the government., But by only reporting the bloody aspects of this war, people's opinions have been based soley on an unfair represnetation of the facts.
I would make the bet that if there wasnt any violence in Iraq for two weeks, there would be no front page reports on Iraq for two weeks.

Yes because there wouldn't be news. Unless you go missing, you're not going to be on the front page either. Does that mean the media hates you? Why don't they report when you win at a video game or hit a home run? UNFAIR I SAY!

Reactionary05, for one. Maybe more.
Anyway, I wasn't making much of a direct response to you, but a lot of it was venting, because there are people that DO feel that way. Also, I'm not arguing against you--I'm not really arguing with you, either. I'm trying to put a damper on things, or maybe adding to everyone. Whatever, it's my opinion, take it how you like.
though this country was formed by people with Christian beliefs, it doesn't mean that non-Christians should feel threatened (like you said, Red). That's why we have a separation of church and state--so that everyone can feel welcome and safe in this country regardless of their religion. However, there are people who think that since there are more Christians than everything else combined in the U.S., then Christianity should be named the national religion. I say that there is no need for that--EVERY religion is the national religion here.
Anyway, you keep missing my main points. My point is that this was a nation founded by Christians for everyone, and I used what you posted from the State Constitutions to back it up. I'm not posting against you. I just thought that maybe everyone could agree on something for a change.
Anyway, about the polls--sure, people change their minds, but the fact that they feel the way they do should trouble those in power, and not 'trouble' as in 'feel threatened', but thinking 'why do they feel that way?' If negative, ask "Why is that, and what can I do?" If positive, take note, and try to follow suit. You're elected by the people, you should listen to the people.
One factor in my disapproval is that he doesn't care about polls. How else is he going to know how people feel? That's why we have polls! And there are many, many different polls to choose from. If you aren't sure about those results, pick another poll, and another, and when you get enough, average them together, weed out the extreme one, and you get a good composite of the American people. That is how you SHOULD read polls, and if I knew that the president at least personally paid attention to some sort of independantly operated poll, I'd feel better.
Unless you can read minds, or have someone on your staff that does. That would be cool. ... ... ...Not really. Mind readers **** me off. Besides, you'd need a diver that has met most of the American people--Un. Nevermind.

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I made that post because there are people on this board, and you know them, who believe that there shouldn't be any other religion in the US but Christianity--or worse, a specific form of Christianity. And then there are people who think that we should pass laws and legislate according to the Bible, which is also wrong. I mean, we could, but pig farmers would go out of business.
Just pre-empting.

Intresting. I dont see anyone on this board who is advocating legislation from the Bible, or the oppression of other religions. I don't see anyone who is suggesting the deportation of all Muslims to Saudi Arabia or the deportation of all Hindis to India.

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People supported Bush at the start of the war with the liberal media

At the beginning of the war there wasnt much else to report. I am not advocating that the media agencies should be turned into propaganda departments of the government., But by only reporting the bloody aspects of this war, people's opinions have been based soley on an unfair represnetation of the facts.
I would make the bet that if there wasnt any violence in Iraq for two weeks, there would be no front page reports on Iraq for two weeks.

I made that post because there are people on this board, and you know them, who believe that there shouldn't be any other religion in the US but Christianity--or worse, a specific form of Christianity. And then there are people who think that we should pass laws and legislate according to the Bible, which is also wrong. I mean, we could, but pig farmers would go out of business.
Just pre-empting.

People supported Bush at the start of the war with the liberal media.

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So you believe that Bush is still popular among the majority of America?

No im saying that the American people are fickle. The slightest bit of good ness from the media, and they'll be back on Bush's side.

But thats the problem right there. The media.

I must add this...

WE are a christian Nation. But that snot to say we are only Christian. By me saying that we are a Christian nation soley because the majority of people in the country are Christian. it doesnt mean we are a theocracy. THat could change. If we had a dominant Muslim population, then we would be largely a Muslim nation. I guess that was a bit ambiguous. Normally when you think of a Muslim Nation you do think of a theocratic regime.
I'm talking demographics, not politics.

So you believe that Bush is still popular among the majority of America?

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It is not ours to say, "This is a Christian nation, so tough it!" No.

My point in posting this wasn't to say, 'We are a Christian Nation, and all who arent can get the hell out.' My point in posting this was to further prove my point that America has Christian Heritage and no one, with a decent understanding of our origins as a country can say we dont have Christian heritage.