With our economy experiencing a significant down cycle we are hearing the newspapers and broadcast industry screaming that they are losing their shirts financially. It is your Commander’s opinion that they have nobody to blame but themselves, because they are under-delivering what should be a quality product.
Let us look at a few examples to highlight my point. We frequently read or hear about a political figure being involved in some unethical or illegal behavior, and then the story falls off a cliff never to be heard of again. Why? I suggest it is due to the fact that our media outlets have cut-back on funding investigative journalism in an effort to save money. On the other hand, is it possible that our main-stream media is so enthralled with the political leadership that they are just giving them a pass or even covering up their misconduct? For example, it was long rumored that Gov. Mark Sanford (R) of South Carolina was having an affair. Not one news outlet took the time to investigate.
Where are the anticipated actions of either the House or Senate Ethics Committees on so many of the reported transgressions of political figures. I smell cover-up. Where are the expected actions by our Attorney General Eric Holder against government officials who are breaking the federal laws? Is it not against federal law for local governments to declare their City as a Sanctuary City where illegal aliens are protected? These cities include San Francisco, CA, Denver, CO, and El Paso, TX along with the entire States of Alaska, Oregon, and Maine. Didn’t Eric Holder take an Oath of Office to uphold the laws of our country? I suggest that it just might be political motivation, or am I over-reacting?
Your Commander thinks one of the most outrageous cases of political corruption, and in-action is the story behind the employment of Michelle Obama by the University of Chicago Medical Center back in 2002.
Surely you have heard, but let me quote from a recent email I received:
Subject: Replacing Michelle in Chicago
At the top right hand corner of page 17 of the New York Post of January 24th, 2009, was a short column entitled “Replacing Michelle” in the National Review “The Week” column. Here it is, word for word, as it appeared:
“Some employees are simply irreplaceable. Take Michelle Obama: The University of Chicago Medical center hired her in 2002 to run “programs for community relations, neighborhood outreach, volunteer recruitment, staff diversity and minority contracting.”
In 2005, the hospital raised her salary from $120,000 to $317,000 nearly twice what her husband made as a Senator.
Oh, did we mention that her husband had just become a U.S. Senator? He sure had. And that he immediately requested a $1 million earmark for the UC Medical Center, in fact?...You betcha by golly…He surely did. Way to network Michelle!
But now that Mrs. Obama has resigned, the hospital says her position will remain unfilled. How can that possibly be??? Especially if the work she did was vital enough to be worth $317,000?
Oh, by the way, let me add that Michelle’s position was a part time, 20 hour week job at $317,000 per year!! And to think they were critical of Blagojevich’s wife for taking $100,000 in fuzzy real estate commission.
Question is…How did this bit of quid pro quo corruption escape the sharp reporters that dug through Sarah Palin’s garbage & kindergarten files?
You get 3 guesses & the first 2 don’t count. Bingo!! – You’re right. Bring on 2010 & 2012 elections…
“IN GOD WE TRUST!!” – we better because you sure can’t trust your elected officials.
“I’ll keep my freedom, guns & money…You can keep the change!!”
Wow! Obviously that is a very partisan article, but the facts are true and clear. Why was this story not followed up by reporters, and why was there not a committee investigation held in Washington for the misuse of earmarks dollars? I suggest that our main-stream media is so complicit and misty-eyed with the Obama administration’s illegal and unethical shenanigans that they are failing miserably in the performance of their duties. Or, are they walking on eggshells because Obama is our first African-American President, afraid they will wear a racist label?
If the newspaper and television stations really want to solve their financial and audience problems, a good investigation reported story on the front page or prime-time newscast would serve them well. Just report the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Rooting out corruption and unethical conduct will improve our economy, and the image of our once great democracy. For our media to do less is to under-serve the hand that feeds them.
COMMANDER GRANGER
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3 comments:
I had no idea about Michelle's job working part time and earning over $300K. The position seems so important that I'm amazed it's not filled already. Main stream media hasn't reported this one bit and it seems it should be a lead story. Great blog, Commander!
It is not so much a conspiracy at work. There are still curious people in the media who would be happy to investigate any politician or party. Obama is not immune. It's just that the larger media outlets have so many fewer people employed, the curious have little time for big inquiries. Many issues will be missed. There is a great reluctance to "investigate" because it takes more time and potentially legal expense if the subject chooses to sue. Even if the media outlet is entirely accurate, the threat of a lawsuit can easily be enough to spike a legitimate story that managers were willing to support before. It is not just at the national level. Your local officials could easily be getting away with murder.. who would ever find out? Maybe if business improves, you'll see better product return.
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