Ignorance, American Media and Partisan Polarization

[The New Sea Territory]

Hello. *clears throat*

I just got back from a somewhat heated conversation with an elder relative of mine. In a conversation she was not a part of, but butted into, she claimed that Homosexuality in America became an issue when Birth Control became legal (how the fuck are those related? ), Vladimir Putin is a Communist, and the Hobby Lobby case was about taxpayer funded abortions.....Also, she remarked that everything Bill O'Reilly says is true and everything MSNBC says is false, lies, communist (what?!?!) and atheist.

This phenomenon seems to be observable for both Democrats and Republicans, but it takes a more...socially unacceptable turn within GOP ranks because of shit like this. Demonizing your opposition is very common in politics, but the Religious Right, which the individual I described above is the hardest of hard Catholics, takes it to new heights daily when they say Putin is a fucking communist

The individual I spoke to said she hates communists. I asked her: Have you ever met a Communist? "No." Have you ever read any communist literature? "No." This proves ignorance. The individual I spoke to also claimed that Jesus was not left-wing at all...The face palms of this conversation are unending.

To get to the questions here:

Does mainstream media foster ideological ignorance?
Can the Media be somewhat blamed for increasing partisan polarization?
Why does the Religious Right throw the word "Communist" around like McCarthy is running for president?

My Opinion:

Fuck yeah it does. People who worship (Stupid As) Fux News are so ignorant of what communism, atheism, liberalism and even Christianity is and stands for. Also, they demonize Democrats as "communists".....when Democrats are centrist. How in the name of Buddha do you back up such a claim: "Obama, MSNBC, Vladimir Putin and Homosexuals are Communists!"

Footnotes:

This thread isn't about communists, but I use the word because it's something that Fox viewers throw around lightly...as if anyone who is not far-right wing advocates for a stateless, classless and moneyless society where the means of production are collectively owned and social hierarchy is torn down. I apologize for using it so much in the above paragraphs...but the conversation I describe basically consisted of her denouncing her opposition as communist, even calling me a communist and yelling at me for not supporting social conservatism.

[Geilinor]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

[Kriegers]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

Indeeeeed.

[The New Sea Territory]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

Yes, but this is something different. This is too far. I understand some people use them lightly, and I'm somewhat guilty myself.

But to make the claim the Homosexuality in America wouldn't be an issue if we didn't legalize Birth Control and that Putin is secretly a Marxist is so far overboard, how can these beliefs be part of the one of the largest groups of Republican party voter base? (Granted, the old fuckers who believe this shit are dying off slowly, literally).

[Marcurix]

Hello. *clears throat*

I just got back from a somewhat heated conversation with an elder relative of mine. In a conversation she was not a part of, but butted into, she claimed that Homosexuality in America became an issue when Birth Control became legal (how the fuck are those related? :facepalm: ), Vladimir Putin is a Communist, and the Hobby Lobby case was about taxpayer funded abortions.....Also, she remarked that everything Bill O'Reilly says is true and everything MSNBC says is false, lies, communist (what?!?!) and atheist. :facepalm:

It's an opinion.

This phenomenon seems to be observable for both Democrats and Republicans,

Or really any opposing party in any opposing country.

but it takes a more...socially unacceptable turn within GOP ranks because of shit like this.

Depends on the topic, i find.

Demonizing your opposition is very common in politics, but the Religious Right, which the individual I described above is the hardest of hard Catholics, takes it to new heights daily when they say Putin is a fucking communist

As people also demonize the religious right, I don't think i can say all or even the majority of them think Putin is a communist.

The individual I spoke to said she hates communists. I asked her: Have you ever met a Communist? "No." Have you ever read any communist literature? "No." This proves ignorance.

Not necessarily.

The individual I spoke to also claimed that Jesus was not left-wing at all...The face palms of this conversation are unending.

Now that particular topic depends on interpretation.

To get to the questions here:

Does mainstream media foster ideological ignorance?

Depends on the country, and the media.

Can the Media be somewhat blamed for increasing partisan polarization?

Yes, I suppose.

Why does the Religious Right throw the word "Communist" around like McCarthy is running for president?

Do they? You might need to prove that one.

My Opinion:

Fuck yeah it does.

People who worship (Stupid As) Fux News are so ignorant of what communism, atheism, liberalism and even Christianity is and stands for.

Can you prove that?

[Geilinor]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

Yes, but this is something different. This is too far. I understand some people use them lightly, and I'm somewhat guilty myself.

But to make the claim the Homosexuality in America wouldn't be an issue if we didn't legalize Birth Control and that Putin is secretly a Marxist is so far overboard, how can these beliefs be part of the one of the largest groups of Republican party voter base? (Granted, the old fuckers who believe this shit are dying off slowly, literally).

We'd have to poll the Republican voter base to see how large the group who believes those things is.

[The New Sea Territory]

Yes, but this is something different. This is too far. I understand some people use them lightly, and I'm somewhat guilty myself.

But to make the claim the Homosexuality in America wouldn't be an issue if we didn't legalize Birth Control and that Putin is secretly a Marxist is so far overboard, how can these beliefs be part of the one of the largest groups of Republican party voter base? (Granted, the old fuckers who believe this shit are dying off slowly, literally).

We'd have to poll the Republican voter base to see how large the group who believes those things is.

I guess my view of it is flawed. I live in Tennessee, so the dominant voter group here is the Religious Right.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

The liberal media fosters a lot of ignorance for the truth. It is often like Animal Farm.

[The New Sea Territory]

The liberal media fosters a lot of ignorance for the truth. It is often like Animal Farm.

...I know that you just found Orwell. I would like to remind you he was a democratic socialist and fought for the communists during the Spanish Civil War.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

The liberal media fosters a lot of ignorance for the truth. It is often like Animal Farm.

...I know that you just found Orwell. I would like to remind you he was a democratic socialist and fought for the communists during the Spanish Civil War.

Orwell was also a critic of Stalin.

[The New Sea Territory]

...I know that you just found Orwell. I would like to remind you he was a democratic socialist and fought for the communists during the Spanish Civil War.

Orwell was also a critic of Stalin.

How is that related? I'm saying you are quoting someone that you have proven on other threads you are very, very opposed to.

[Costa Fierro]

Does mainstream media foster ideological ignorance?
That depends. Corporate media in the US certainly does, but the media here doesn't, and goes out of its way to explain why x is y to the viewers. Which is a pity, seeing as said viewers are probably the stupidest idiots alive.

Can the Media be somewhat blamed for increasing partisan polarization?
That also depends. Generally speaking, if someone is born and raised in a conservative family with conservative values, they will likely retain those values into their own lives. Yes, there are exceptions but generally speaking, people will tend to believe what they agree with more that what is right.

Why does the Religious Right throw the word "Communist" around like McCarthy is running for president?
Because "hurr religious people hurr". No other reason other than their own stupidity.

[Death Metal]

Ideological ignorance in American politics was first fostered decades ago by the HUAC and their censorship of media.

Cold War propaganda and mainstream media pretending not to be mainstream media (looking at you Limbaugh) have only perpetuated it.

[The Serbian Empire]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

I prefer using the word authoritarian as a replacement for fascist.

Ideological ignorance in American politics was first fostered decades ago by the HUAC and their censorship of media.

Cold War propaganda and mainstream media pretending not to be mainstream media (looking at you Limbaugh) have only perpetuated it.

Damn Joseph McCarthy, the man who has created the image of anti-Communism as an alcoholic from Wisconsin.

[Death Metal]

"Communist", "socialist" and "fascist" have become insults that people throw around without regard for definitions.

I prefer using the word authoritarian as a replacement for fascist.

Ideological ignorance in American politics was first fostered decades ago by the HUAC and their censorship of media.

Cold War propaganda and mainstream media pretending not to be mainstream media (looking at you Limbaugh) have only perpetuated it.

Damn Joseph McCarthy, he's ruined America and shall receive damnatio memoriae.

HUAC was way before McCarthay. It was founded to root out Nazi sympathizers.

[The Serbian Empire]

I prefer using the word authoritarian as a replacement for fascist.


Damn Joseph McCarthy, he's ruined America and shall receive damnatio memoriae.

HUAC was way before McCarthay. It was founded to root out Nazi sympathizers.

McCarthy was not in HUAC as he was never a member of the House of Representatives, but more famous for the Army-McCarthy hearings where the senator claimed the Army was being infiltrated by Communists.

[Death Metal]

HUAC was way before McCarthay. It was founded to root out Nazi sympathizers.

McCarthy was not in HUAC as he was never a member of the House of Representatives, but more famous for the Army-McCarthy hearings where the senator claimed the Army was being infiltrated by Communists.

...I know who McCarthay is. I'm saying he wasn't the start of the ignorance.

[Cyrisnia]

Does mainstream media foster ideological ignorance?
Can the Media be somewhat blamed for increasing partisan polarization?
Why does the Religious Right throw the word "Communist" around like McCarthy is running for president?

1. Somewhat.
2. Yes.
3. Because, "JESUS WAS A CAPITALIST"!

[The Serbian Empire]

McCarthy was not in HUAC as he was never a member of the House of Representatives, but more famous for the Army-McCarthy hearings where the senator claimed the Army was being infiltrated by Communists.

...I know who McCarthay is. I'm saying he wasn't the start of the ignorance.

I think one can date it back to Woodrow Wilson actually.

[Othelos]

I think the media has some effect, but a lot of it is because some conservatives are becoming more fundamentalist as the rest of society liberalizes.

[Estado Paulista]

Does mainstream media foster ideological ignorance?

Not inherently.

Can the Media be somewhat blamed for increasing partisan polarization?

Oh, definitely.

Why does the Religious Right throw the word "Communist" around like McCarthy is running for president?

For the same reason the left throw the words neo-liberal and fascist like Mussollini is running for president.

[Death Metal]

Also, an interesting thing I want to bring up, and it's the buzzword of "mainstream media".

First off, let's be realistic here: Every significant news media source in the Western world gets their information from one of two agencies, either the Associated Press or Reuters.

Every news TV personality works for a station affiliated with CBS, ABC/Disney, NewsCorp, Time Warner, NBC, or Viacom. Major, billion-dollar media empires.

Every news radio personality works for a station affiliated with CBS, ABC/Disney, Clear Channel/iHeartRadio. All major media empires worth millions of dollars. This includes Alex Jones, the debatable coiner of the buzzword.

Virtually every book published by a politician or news media personality has been published by one of six publishers: Hachette, Macmillan, Penguin Group. HarperCollins. Random House, Simon & Schuster. All multi-million dollar empires, all with bestselling novels in their ranks.

And finally, every blog sources, or at the very least gets their information from, at least one of the above sources.

In other words ALL news comes from mainstream media. This isn't a good thing nor is it a bad thing. It just... is.

However, demonizing mainstream media, a phenomenon that again, comes from people within the mainstream media, is nothing more than a polarization tool that is only exacerbating the problems with today's media culture. These demogauges are a virus, not a vaccine, and are best left ignored.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

Orwell was also a critic of Stalin.

How is that related? I'm saying you are quoting someone that you have proven on other threads you are very, very opposed to.

Stalin was a leftist who had control of the media. Orwell had some good points.

[Death Metal]

How is that related? I'm saying you are quoting someone that you have proven on other threads you are very, very opposed to.

Stalin was a leftist

Nope. Stalin was a reactionary with a state-capitalist/corportatist economy with lots of meritocracy thrown in.

[The Serbian Empire]

Also, an interesting thing I want to bring up, and it's the buzzword of "mainstream media".

First off, let's be realistic here: Every significant news media source in the Western world gets their information from one of two agencies, either the Associated Press or Reuters.

Every news TV personality works for a station affiliated with CBS, ABC/Disney, NewsCorp, Time Warner, NBC, or Viacom. Major, billion-dollar media empires.

Every news radio personality works for a station affiliated with CBS, ABC/Disney, Clear Channel/iHeartRadio. All major media empires worth millions of dollars. This includes Alex Jones, the debatable coiner of the buzzword.

Virtually every book published by a politician or news media personality has been published by one of six publishers: Hachette, Macmillan, Penguin Group. HarperCollins. Random House, Simon & Schuster. All multi-million dollar empires, all with bestselling novels in their ranks.

And finally, every blog sources, or at the very least gets their information from, at least one of the above sources.

In other words ALL news comes from mainstream media. This isn't a good thing nor is it a bad thing. It just... is.

However, demonizing mainstream media, a phenomenon that again, comes from people within the mainstream media, is nothing more than a polarization tool that is only exacerbating the problems with today's media culture. These demogauges are a virus, not a vaccine, and are best left ignored.

I think the fact it all comes from two sources is not good at all. It means a rich man slips AP and Reuters money and the rich man never gets bad press.