The only truly effective argument against Nader's candidacy is that the media refuses to take him seriously. Thats a good argument. They do refuse to treat him seriously. Why is that? Geez, I wonder. They tell me that they are not part of a corporate culture. They tell me they are not told what to do by their corporate headquarters. They tell me that they are "slaves to the wire" and yet they never seem to reprint stories from the wires about third party candidates. How the Hell can they justify or rationalize ignoring a guy who is polling 6%? What are they so frightened of? Democracy?
If I was to believe that corporate media isn't overrun with corporate agenda, Nader's total media shutout would make no sense at all. The placement of today's article shows us where our corporate paper's metaphorical bread is buttered. If a presidential candidate came to Mayberry and the "Mayberry Banner" buried the story on B7 or didn't look at the visit as a windfall, I think the townspeople would be incredulous. I hope the Post-Star's lackluster coverage and their purposeful ignoring of Ralph Nader shows us all "the wizard". Corporate media (even small local corporate media) refuses to cover a guy with 6% in the polls on purpose. Thats not right and it smacks of agenda.
If Ralph was covered by the media, people would be aware of his candidacy and would read about his issues. When was the last time you saw an article comparing presidential candidates' positions on the issues of the day? How about ... never. All we hear about is the horse race between the corporate puppets. They're not informing us, they are demanding through their purposeful burying of third party candidacies that we, the vigilant electorate, not take candidates without corporate support seriously.
Just imagine that Obama or McCain came to Glens Falls ... it will never happen but feel free to imagine it, nonetheless. Do you think that there would be one advance story buried on page B7 or would reporters and editors be falling all over themselves trying to cover the historical event? There would be a dozen stories chronicling who they are and what they have done.
The media will only cover two-party candidates. Ron Paul was polling 5-8% and he got some media attention (because he is a two-party candidate). Nader was polling 18% in early 2000 and he didn't get covered by the media at all. They ignored him then, too. So, this has nothing to do with poll numbers. It has to do with purposeful manipulation of our electoral process. Is no one else offended by this manipulation? I sure hope they plan to do more than this and prove me wrong!
Ralph Nader to speak in Glens Falls
GLENS FALLS - Independent presidential candidate and progressive activist Ralph Nader will return to Glens Falls on April 26 for an appearance at the Charles R. Wood Theater at 8 p.m.
Nader's visit will be hosted by the Adirondack Progressives, a group of area citizens interested in fostering local dialogue on today's issues.
Nader is expected to speak about his campaign for the presidency, media reform, the Iraq war, the threat of corporate power and its dangerous convergence with government and the role of third parties and citizen activism in the political process. There will be a question and answer period at the theater, time allowing.
Prior to Nader's appearance will be the local premiere of "Awake From Your Slumber," a short film created by members of the Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center.
"Awake" is comprised of three basic elements: a speech given by Nader when he visited Albany in 2005 on the Democracy Rising tour, the music and words of punk-poet Patti Smith (accompanied by local musician, Michael Eck); and footage of the human costs of the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
Copies of the film will be sold in the lobby to benefit the Sanctuary for Independent Media. Tickets are on sale now at Rock Hill Cafe, 19 Exchange St., Glens Falls). The suggested donation is $25.
A free loaf of Rock Hill bread will be provided to every ticket holder, and refreshments will be served "pay what you wish" with all proceeds going to the Sanctuary for Independent Media's capital fund to aid them in re-opening their doors in Troy.
There will be a vegetarian dinner fund raiser, with all proceeds going to Nader's campaign, at Rock Hill Cafe prior to the theater event.
The suggested donation is $250 per person, though scholarships will be made available to those for whom this may be a hardship.
Those interested should contact Matt Funiciello at 361-6278.
2 comments:
Even Ron Paul only got mostly the same kind of minimizing 'coverage' Ralph gets. His candidacy was always 'quirky' and 'longshot.' His fans 'rabid.' But he was an anti-establishment, anti-corporate candidate too.
The Post-Star's excuses are a joke. Even if the story on his upcoming visit wasn't on A1, couldn't it have been on B1?
This is a paper that regularly puts 'stories' on its front page about such critical issues as a bridge in Scotland that dogs like jumping off and famous musicians attending drug counseling in the area. But a visit by a presidential candidate is buried.
Typical.
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