Why is there so little trust in the mainstream media these days?

CNN ratings have been hovering close to record lows over the past few months. A recent Gallup survey found that 60 percent of all Americans "have little or no trust" in the mainstream media.

That was a record high according to Gallup. So why is this happening? Sadly, the truth is that the mainstream media quit telling the truth a long time ago.

The mainstream media has an agenda, and more Americans than ever are beginning to recognize this.

Once upon a time, control of the news in the United States was at least somewhat decentralized. But now there are just six giant media corporations that control almost everything that we see, hear and watch.

The version of "the news" that they give us is designed to serve the interests of those corporate giants and the other corporate giants that spend billions of dollars to advertise their products through those outlets.

Watching the news on television can be an extremely frustrating experience these days. Yes, there are little bits and pieces of the truth in there, but you have to wade through an awful lot of "infotainment" to get to those bits and pieces.

That is one of the reasons why the "alternative media" has absolutely exploded in recent years.

The American people are hungry for the truth, and they are increasingly turning to alternative sources of news on the Internet in an attempt to find it.

We live at a time when the world is changing more rapidly than ever before. Just about everything that can be shaken is being shaken, and anyone with half a brain realizes that we are heading for challenges that previous generations never even could have imagined.

There certainly is no shortage of news, but instead of focusing on the terribly important issues that we are facing, the mainstream media feeds us an endless stream of fluff, scandals and celebrities.

Just check out some of the headlines that I found on the front pages of major mainstream news websites today..

"Man Dies After Roach-Eating Contest"

"Ex-NFL Cheerleader Admits To Sex With Minor"

"Facebook Rolls Out Pinterest-Like Tool For Buying Stuff"

"Grumpy Cat Becomes Internet Sensation"

So what should the mainstream media really be talking about today?

The following are 28 good questions that the mainstream media should be asking..

1. Why is the IMF warning that there is an "alarmingly high" risk of a deeper global economic slowdown?

2. Why is Switzerland preparing for "major civil unrest" throughout Europe?

3. If the Spanish financial system completely collapses, what is that going to mean for the rest of Europe and the rest of the globe?

4. Is Turkey about to drag the rest of NATO (including the United States) into a war with Syria?

5. Why aren't people screaming in outrage about the fact that the U.S. national debt increased by more than a trillion dollars for the fourth straight year in 2012?

6. Should we be concerned that the U.S. government added more to the U.S. national debt on the first day of fiscal year 2013 than it did from 1776 to 1941 combined?

7. If temporary refinery problems can cause some gas stations to shut down and cause gas prices in California to skyrocket to all-time highs, what would a real crisis do?

8. Why are some analysts predicting that a "rapid collapse" is coming for the U.S. dollar?

9. Will the U.S. dollar soon lose its status as the primary reserve currency of the world?

10. Why is Marc Faber warning that the wealthy "may lose up to 50 percent of their total wealth"?



11. By keeping interest rates near zero, is the Federal Reserve crushing the retirement dreams of millions of elderly Americans?

12. Why do Barack Obama, Mitt Romney and most members of Congress continue to stand behind the TSA when nearly 400 TSA employees have been fired for stealing from travelers since 2003?

13. Why are nearly half a million employees of the federal government making over $100,000 a year?

14. How in the world can you have a debate about the economy that lasts for an hour and a half and never even mention Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve or quantitative easing?

15. Why are Romney campaign signs being smeared with excrement?

16. British taxpayers spent 57.8 million dollars on the royal family in 2011. U.S. taxpayers spent 1.4 billion dollars on the Obamas that same year. How in the world can this be justified?

17. Why does the U.S. government treat our military veterans like garbage? Many of them have given everything for their country. Shouldn't we treat them with more respect?

18. Why is the mainstream media ignoring a warning that an international gang of cybercriminals plans "to steal money from the online accounts of thousands of consumers at 30 or more major U.S. banks"?

19. The New England Complex Systems Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts is warning that rapidly rising global food prices could soon lead to massive food riots all over the planet. Is this something that we should be concerned about?

20. Why is the United Nations pushing to have the authority to impose "global taxes" on all of us?

21. How did we get to the point where sex trafficking is now at epidemic levels all over the United States?

22. Why are so many young people being arrested? Should we be concerned that 41 percent of all Americans have been arrested by the time they reach the age of 23?

23. Why are most Americans either overweight or obese or severely obese?

24. How was one Baltimore woman able to accumulate 30 free cell phones all paid for by the federal government?

25. Why are nearly 30 percent of all young adults in the 25 to 34 year old age bracket living at home with their parents?

26. Why has the birth rate in the United States fallen to an all-time low?

27. With the race for president incredibly tight right now, will the side that loses end up accusing the other side of using voter fraud to steal the election?

28. Is the U.S. Supreme Court about to make it illegal to resell our own stuff at yard sales, in thrift stores and on eBay?

Do you have any questions to add to this list?

I will answer a question with a question.

15. Why wouldn't you wipe excrement on a Romney sign?

I have the answer for that.
Because the Obama one already has a picture of a large pile of excrement on it.

Right Phil. Like your driver's license.

Another answer to #15: Because urine doesn't show.

And the answer to #27 is a resounding yes.

This is fun! Everyone answer a question!!

[This message has been edited by Bob Netherton II (10/10/2012)]

No. 23: Paula Deen's Krispy Kreme Cheeseburger Recipe.

[This message has been edited by poisonspaghetti (10/11/2012)]

No. 16

Because Yorkies are worth it.....



No. 10

So....?



[This message has been edited by ABE (10/11/2012)]

[This message has been edited by ABE (10/11/2012)]

I have many questions of my own. For example, ladies: If you shave your eyebrows off and then draw them back on, what the hell are you doing?

25. Why are nearly 30 percent of all young adults in the 25 to 34 year old age bracket living at home with their parents?

I'm not sure...let me think...oh, wait a minute!

26. Why has the birth rate in the United States fallen to an all-time low?

See question 25. Tough to have procreative sex (or any sex for that matter) in Mommy and Daddy's basement.

The answer to your questions is that you and many others don't agree with the mainstream media is because they don't say what you want to hear. Some of your complaints and questions are legit such as the
sensationalistic and entertainment crap that appears on front pages of papers. But most of your 28 questions show leanings toward
a right wing agenda. Remember FOX is also part of the lamestream
media even as they deny it.

17. Because House Republicans like Denny Rehberg vote to cut funding to veterans, despite efforts of patriots like Senator Jon Tester to help them.

This is kind of fun.

4. No, if Obama gets re-elected, yes, if Mitt gets elected.

13. That's below the poverty line, right?

19. The New England Complex Systems Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts is warning that rapidly rising global food prices could soon lead to massive food riots all over the planet. Is this something that we should be concerned about?

I guess not. See below.

23. Why are most Americans either overweight or obese or severely obese?

28. No.

It's fun and easy!

28. Is the U.S. Supreme Court about to make it illegal to resell our own stuff at yard sales, in thrift stores and on eBay?

Jesus, I hope so.

I hate garbage sales. And thrift stores. And eBay.

Come on, Fat Tony and the rest of you fascists! Make it happen!

I do think that news articles such as "Florida man dies after winning cockroach eating contest" are more newsworthy than "Marc Racicot praises Rick Hill" or "Paul Ryan defends Mitt Romney".

9. Will the U.S. dollar soon lose its status as the primary reserve currency of the world?

Only if Romney wins and replaces Andrew Jackson with the current LDS prophet on the twenty.

Do you have any questions to add to this list?

29. What if you are wrong and your fear of the future is totally misplaced?

30. What if the religious literalists are shown the error of their ways and as a society we recognize the good in others, our connectedness to each other, and our need to love others as we love ourselves?

31. What if we decided to focus on being more thankful for the bounty with which we are blessed rather than all of the "problems" which in some form are the result of greed and envy?

32. What if we spent more time listening to truly communicate with others rather than merely listening to reply to others?

33. What if we spent more time enjoying a beer or glass of wine focused on the blessings of having meaningful friendships with others and purposed to stop taking such relationships for granted?

Now you're going to have to explain pietism to Cheryl...

http://theeconomiccollaps...-be-asking

[This message has been edited by souix (10/11/2012)]

10. Because Marc Faber is Dr. Doom & Gloom.

I don't know why everyone assumes I am a religious zealot. I have actually worked with a major Televangelist and 10 years later a leader in the Christian Entertainment Industry through former jobs(which meant I have spoken to people like Lou Dobbs) and I can assure you that they do not care one bit about people's souls, just about how they can spin things so that they can get your last dime "contributed for Jesus". They can easily pull down 2 million dollars in a weekend religious conference in Florida selling books and pamphlets TAX FREE. You would not believe the lives of wealth and priveledge these guys live as they cash in the last 10 shares of IBM stock sent by a pious, poor starving widow. To say that I believe ANYTHING those evil men try to tell people is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has met them that has an IQ over 70.

That said, I still believe in God. But organized religion, as in the "Jesus Mafia"? No, not so much. That's why I didn't respond to that odd thing someone posted to tell me what I should read about Lou Dobb's predictions about an Obama Presidency. That, and I had no time to deal with it. However, here is an interesting read from the "Black Agenda Report by a (black-non racist) man with a PhD:

Here are a few highlights of what Barack Obama has inflicted on the nation and the world:

Preventive Detention

George Bush could not have pulled off such an evisceration of the Bill of Rights, if only because the Democrats and an aroused street would not have allowed it. Bush knew better than to mount a full-court legislative assault on habeas corpus, and instead simply asserted that preventive detention is inherent in the powers of the presidency during times of war. It was left to Obama to pass actual legislation nullifying domestic rule of law - with no serious Democratic opposition.

Redefining War

Obama "led from behind" a 7-month Euro-American air and proxy ground war against the sovereign nation of Libya, culminating in the murder, after many attempts, of the nation's leader. The president informed Congress that the military operation was not subject to the War Powers Act, because it had not been a "war" at all, since no Americans were known to have been killed. The doctrine was thus established - again, with little Democratic opposition - that wars are defined by the extent of U.S. casualties, no matter how many thousands of foreigners are slaughtered.

War Without Borders

Obama's drone war policies, greatly expanded from that inherited from Bush, have vastly undermined accepted standards of international law. This president reserves the right to strike against non-state targets anywhere in the world, with whatever technical means at his disposal, without regard to the imminence of threat to the United States. The doctrine constitutes an ongoing war against peace - the highest of all crimes, now an everyday practice of the U.S.

The Merger of Banks and State

The Obama administration, with the Federal Reserve functioning as a component of the executive branch, has funneled at least $16 trillion to domestic and international banking institutions, much of it through a virtually "free money" policy that could well become permanent. This ongoing "rescue" of finance capital is unprecedented in sheer scope and in the blurring of lines between Wall Street and the State. The routine transfer of multi-billions in securities and debts and assets of all kinds between the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Reserve and corporate accounts, has created de facto structures of governance that may be described as institutional forms of fascism.

These are world-shaking works of Obama-ism. Even Obama's "lesser" crimes are astounding: his early calls for austerity and entitlement-axing (two weeks before his inauguration) and determined pursuit of a Grand Accommodation with the GOP (a $4 trillion deal that the Republicans rejected, in the summer of 2011) reveal a politician intent on ushering in a smoother, more rational corporate hegemony over a thoroughly pacified civil society. Part and parcel of that pacification is the de-professionalization of teaching - an ambition far beyond de-unionization.


http://blackagendareport....as-wrought

Cheryl wrote:

However, here is an interesting read from the "Black Agenda Report by a (black-non racist) man with a PhD:

That is just excellent phrasing.

I don't know why everyone assumes I am a religious zealot. I have actually worked with a major Televangelist and 10 years later a leader in the Christian Entertainment Industry through former jobs(which meant I have spoken to people like Lou Dobbs) and I can assure you that they do not care one bit about people's souls, just about how they can spin things so that they can get your last dime "contributed for Jesus".

Like it or not, your writing style is full of Jack Van Inpe "Armageddon speak". That is probably why the assumption.

Went to the "black agenda report". Was presented with numerous headlines proclaiming the awesomeness that is Hugo Chavez. Read excerpt of article detailing how awful Obama was for trampling on people's civil liberties.

Later, cleaned monitors of brain matter and other assorted effluvia resulting from my head exploding due to the excessive levels of cognitive dissonance.

#28 is a great question. Not ALL of the Government treats the Vets poorly.

A fully-funded, paid for and bi-partisan "Veteran's Jobs Act" of 2012 was defeated on Sept. 19, 2012. 60 votes needed to advance. The vote was 58 to 40. All of the opponents were "R" Senators.

Well let it be known that I have a vast skepticism for anything in a book written over 2000 years ago and edited by a formerly Pagan Emperor who became a Christian because he won a battle after praying to "the Christian God" (Constantine) on the advice of religious leaders that wanted to use the people's religion to control them, as it was much more effective than just telling them to do things his way. Whatever the original message was, it has been translated so many times that the current Bible in English probably bears no resemblence to the original scrolls written mainly in ancient Greek. The personal translations put into place by legions of religious leaders who added their own "rules" and told their (probably illerate if not downright gullible) followers that their words "came from God" or were in the Bible makes it even less believable. That is the main reason I take most of the passages in Revelations with a grain of salt....the number 666, for example, was used in conjunction with the Emporer Nero, not anything from the modern age (so maybe that was 'Armageddon" as fortold in the Bible).
http://en.wikipedia.org/w..._the_Beast

Still-the world is controlled by a bunch of psychopaths who have totally messed things up, hoarded most of the money in the World (and have presumably built underground shelters, or in the case of Bush, 100,000 acre ranches with military bases near the largest fresh water aquifer in the world in Paraguay, South America). Some say they would not mind triggering WW3 as a way to seriously reduce the population of people who don't agree with them or may come after them for their crimes. THEY might call it Armageddon. http://divinecosmos.com/s...al-tyranny


Whatever it is, it wouldn't hurt to prepare by storing 3 months worth of food and finding a way to defend it. Don't sell your family ranch to some corporation-it is more valuable than American Dollars at this point. Seriously, if there weren't signs all over the place, I would not even bother (especially here, where only 4 or 5 people seem to be posting and when anyone else does those 4 or 5 people love to shoot them down with the same tired arguments gleaned from FOX News or CNN). I only post here because I think people need to pull their heads out of the sand and stop being lulled into a false sense of security that the worst thing that could possibly happen to them is if Rhianna and Chris Brown start dating again.....

I bet Cheryl's a real blast at a party once she gets a drink or two in her.

No poop. Everyone knows Chris Brown and Rihanna are back together.

Cheryl, I agree with you on many of your points, even the religous ones.
As far as no confidence in the media,, if anyone was smart they wouldn't have any. A large percentage of it (even the manner it's presented) is so bias. I do believe that people drawn to that (news media) field are of course very outgoing verbal personality types,,, predominately liberal, hence the "loud mouth" references. There you have it, a good example would be the previous Presidential election. Obama had close to 70% (not quite) more media coverage than McCain. I still feel that the media forced that election and are certainly trying again, although it not as bad as last time.

Yeah, we liberals tend to be well-educated, articulate and able to make judgements based on facts. Some of us even do research ourselves and aren't dependent on whacko of the month web sites for "information."

Does it sound crazy? It probably is.



http://editorialcartoonis...fm/115755/

[This message has been edited by Amorette Allison (10/11/2012)]

I don't believe I guoted anything from the internet Ms. Allison. Or even someone elses material.

Yeah, if you want an example of a waco of the months web site,,, check out any of Amorette's posts.

No, no. WHACKO of the month. I insist on correct spelling.

You're absolutely right,, I missed that! In a bit of a hurry and didn't look back.

While we're at it, you spelled "moron" incorrectly on the Obama/Romney topic. (10/6/12 5:08:54)

[This message has been edited by Phil Shifley (10/11/2012)]

[This message has been edited by Phil Shifley (10/11/2012)]

Why isn't the Press questioning recent moves by the World's Superpowers?

http://occupycorporatism....nd-russia/

US and Israel Prepare to Declare WWIII Against Iran, China and Russia

Definite plans on striking Iran have been leaked. The document reveals that the Zionist regime has a coordinated scheme to attack Iranina power plant facilities as well as "internet, telephones, radio and television, communications satellites, and fiber optic cables leading to and from critical installations - including underground missile bases at Khorramabad and Isfahan - will be taken out of action."

Israeli targets in Iran include:

 The nation's electrical grid
 Internet access
 Mobile phone network
 Emergency communications for firemen and police officers

In response to the Zionist regime's preparations for war with Iran, Russia and China are combining forces to support Iran. Obama and Netanyahu thwart diplomatic efforts while Ahmadinejad continues to say publicly that there is an ever-present threat of military strike.

Iran has involved Syria in their military exercises with China and Russia to prepare an estimated 90,000 troops, 400 aircraft and 1,000 tanks in joint maneuvers along the Syrian coast line. It was also reported that Russian "atomic submarines and warships, aircraft carriers and mine-clearing destroyers as well as Iranian battleships and submarines will also arrive in Syria."

As part of the WW III scenario, NATO forces are proclaiming their alliance with Turkey against Syria in a direct threat designed to incite an escalation of tensions in the region.

Dimitry Rogozin, Russian representative for the envoy to NATO, asserts that: "NATO is planning a military campaign against Syria to help overthrow the regime of President Bashar al-Assad with a long-reaching goal of preparing a beachhead for an attack on Iran."

Last week it was discovered that the Free Syrian Army are being armed by Saudi Arabia. The attack in Aleppo was actually funded with ammunition and weaponry from the US-aligned Middle Eastern nation. The Free Syrian Army deny knowledge of how they came to obtain thisshippment from Saudi Arabia; however it is fairly obvious that the Salafi extremists in their country are supporting the US-backed terrorist faction. Saudi officials have also declined comment thinking that refusal to speak will correspond with their ignorance. Yet, Saudi ammunition has been used since the inception of the CIA-trained "rebels" paid for my "foreign aid" from the US and British governments.

This subversive supplying of weapons to terrorists has resulted in the use of IEDs and car bombs to destroy the intelligence headquarters of the Syrian government in Damascus.

Terrorist plots carried out by CIA-trained men on behalf of the Zionist regime are murdering untold numbers of Syrians. This devastation coincides with the preparations for military strike against Iran. Ultimately, the Zionists are setting the stage for a massive depopulation scheme with the manipulation of super-powers and their allies.

Phil, the oddball spelling of "moran" is a inside joke on milescity.com.

In a bit of a hurry and didn't look back.

That's a huge surprise

Hugo and Phil are obviously old white people who will someday die, and be replaced by younger voters who are not gripped in paranoic fear of the "others".

I hope your grandkids can keep you happy in your dotage, dudes. Meanwhile, the world is ready to march on....

TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER!!!!!

Regarding # 28...Rest assured in the future you will still be able fill your yard with worthless crap, allowing complete strangers to paw through and buy it for a fraction of what you payed for it. This is a GOD-GIVEN RIGHT! End of story.

The history of the word "moran"

http://knowyourmeme.com/m...ain-morans

Phil, the oddball spelling of "moran" is a inside joke on milescity.com.


Got it, I'm pretty mew here, must have been a while back.

Well Gunnar, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were from Glendive, but since I went to school with you (you old fart ) I know better. Even in school you never knew when to keep your mouth shut.

Oh, and Buck,,,,, you're really one to talk.

BobL. Thanks, I checked it out,,,, classic!

[This message has been edited by Hugo Stiglitz (10/12/2012)]

What I want to know is why didn't the press report this this year? Only the NY Times reported it.

http://www.nytimes.com/20....html?_r=0

Steve Sullivan wrote:

What I want to know is why didn't the press report this this year?

Umm, maybe because it happened in 2009?

News mean recent. History means past. We in the news rarely report history unless you are me and are writing a history column.

I have some more questions. I'm using letters just to be contrary.

A) There is a constitutional crisis in Kenya. How will this effect anything anywhere else?

B) The Nobel Prize winner for literature writes in a style called 'hallucinatory realism.' What the heck is that?

C) There is a weird and creepy sex scandal in England regarding a weird and creepy dead entertainer. Why is no one up in arms about that?

D) Why does Janna Taylor, the state legislator who has gotten more in farm subsidies than anyone else in the state lege, oppose government subsidies?

E) Why do people watch that revolting Honey Boo creature? Should that be a sign of insanity?

[This message has been edited by Amorette Allison (10/13/2012)]

D) Why does Janna Taylor, the state legislator who has gotten more in farm subsidies than anyone else in the state lege, oppose government subsidies?

At least you aren't living in her district. She's a real piece of work. I wish more people could make the Mike Taylor connection.