Respectful Journalism?

I have some things on my mind that I must set up with some background information-

1. Rodney Dangerfield was a stand up comedian who was renowned for his catch phrase “I get no respect”. He would then go on to give some examples in his on stage performances to prove this working theme.

2. Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?”
http://afroamhistory.about.com/library/blsojourner_truth_womanspeech.htm



In recent days, Fox News made reference to Michelle Obama as Presidential Hopeful Senator Barak Obama’s “Baby Mama”. I am wondering where are the boundaries between political coverage, social banter, and blatant insult. It was not an infringement of FCC regulations, but morally it was not journalism with the greatest integrity possible.

What have we really heard about Mrs McCain during these elections? And if we put it beside what we have heard about Mrs. Obama, how would the coverage of these political spouses compare in tone and accuracy?

Next, I would like to see some comparison to both of their backgrounds in relation to what they have to offer, to not only the campaigns of their spouses, but the potential governing years in the White House. I would argue that the harshest critics of the Obamas’, for the most part, have not come close the level of accomplishment of the Obamas’. The bar is raised the higher up the food chain you go, so it stands to reason that anyone participating on politics on this level has to meet certain criteria. That is a given.

But they are both this close to the White House and I want to know more about who I might have to look at for the next 4 or 8 yrs. Is Mrs. McCain as educated as Mrs. Obama? Who is more accomplish in their personal career? Wasn’t McCain married to someone else when he started seeing his current wife? We know Mrs. McCain comes from money, but is she more than arm candy? Or is this the main qualification for the potential first lady?

Fox News boast of offering coverage that is “fair and balanced”, but what does that mean, and who decides where this balance takes place? So--------- is this election about “home-wrecker” vs “baby mama?” I want to know from Fox News where is the other side of this fair and balanced coverage?

Then I would like to draw your attention to the concept of the American Christian Value System. If the policy of the leader of this country is connected to their person Christian belief system, is there a connection to family values? How many times has McCain been married? How many times has Obama been married? How will this affect their policy making? And if we say that we want more traditional nuclear families in this country because that represents our value system, doesn’t it stand to reason that the first family of this country has some potential to affect the model that American’s follow in creating their own family???? Wouldn’t an increase in traditional nuclear families alleviate some of the strain on Social Services?

When I think of Nancy Reagan, I think of a woman that stood by her man. She was more of a silent soldier. I think of Ronald Reagan’s leadership as being enhanced by the level of companionship shared with his wife. I believe that she is respected to day, because of how well she carried herself as First Lady.

Back to Fox News------It might have been a slip of the tongue, but have no question that it was taken to be a derogatory reference. Mrs. Obama has been married to Senator Barak Obama since 1992. Michelle Obama as not been, nor is she now, some tawdry secret rendezvous of procreation….she is the WIFE of Barak Obama, and should be respected as such. She has to potential to be the first lady of this country and deserves the same respect that any other man’s wife, and any other government leaders wife. What is this kind of news coverage saying about the concept of family in the United States of America? What is this kind of news coverage saying about the view of the Black Marriage in the United States of America?

This election has frustrated me on many levels, simply because in many ways it feels quite polarizing. I think that many of us were hoping that it wouldn’t happen this way, but over time it is starting to feel like it is forcing some issues that shouldn’t be primary in a political campaign of this day and age. Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech concerning the American Promise is just as relevant today as it was during a phase of extreme social tension that took place decades ago.

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/speeches.hom/650315.asp


A former seminary professor of mine always told us that a person’s actions toward other people were a direct reflection to that person’s relationship with God. If there is some validity to this thought process, are there some areas where we still need to seek closer relationship to God? Are there still some areas where the reflection of our morals and values are calling us to further prayer and meditation?

In a world of Utopia, every human-being should be able to celebrate their own God given individuality and rich cultural ethnicity. God’s creation proves that God loves variety, because we don’t all look the same. And when we look at how many different types of plants and trees and animals there are in this world, the signs are everywhere that the Creator created with variety. In the midst of variation, there are some common laws of order that still reign.

The evolution of how we ‘form a more perfect union’…..leads us to greater potential. Various states go back and forth with some controversy over the display of the Ten Commandments----- but I wonder if anyone would support displaying the 42 divine principles or the virtues of Ma’at?

http://www.nubeing.com/unblind2/42.htm

http://cuip.uchicago.edu/schools/woodlawn/2_virtues.html