The need to know vs The right to know
As a baby boomer child of the sixties I grew up with the idea that we have free speech rights. I grew up through the Water Gate scandal toppling a President, the NYT releasing the Pentagon Papers, Saturday Night Live went after everyone (and were still funny), 60 Minutes actually doing investigative reporting, Meet The Press hammered everyone with intelligent questions and a government protecting Cold War secrets.
The turmoil of the sixties set into place a distrust for authority especially government, we thought we had the right to know the truth about everything. I first thought the media was the point of the spear investigating and questioning government authority.
Over all I thought they were doing a great job because at the time I liked what they were saying. I began to see a bias but so what they were "stickin' it to the man" so I didn't mind at the time.
My father was in the Army in the Battle of the Bulge, my brother was a Marine in Vietnam and I had a Selective Service draft card in my wallet.
I had pier pressure from my hippy friends, opinions from WW2 and Korean War vets at work. I was faced with the question of what would I do. Enlist, wait for a draft notice or find a deferment. There were good arguments on both sides. I had to decide what to think about the whole deal, but I had access to the arguments.
Yeah, John Kerry was against the establishment before he was its spokesman.
There was a lot of division back then but we could still have a conversation. People were actually more informed back then.
Many things about me have changed over the decades. Many of my opinions have changed and many have been fortified but my constant curiosity to know what is true has not. I want to know no matter what. I want to trust my government but their arrogant "need to know" approach doesn't work fo me I have a "right to know"and I'm not an ignorant peasant.
The latest example is their approach to the pandemic. They have not been open about anything. This is the answer "because we are the government" still doesn't work for me. I want to know your reasoning, convince me with evidence and answer our questions, I have the right to know.
Maybe it is my generation but where did this simple principle go? The media is no longer curious or they have become a government mouth piece. Where are the investigations? Why are only some voices being silenced by social media? Why aren't we really pissed off?
I have avoided the Republican vs Democrat thing but why don't we all want more speech, a relentless media, open debate and a demand for the truth.
I want to know "the story" not " a story". Don't dumb things down challenge me, make me think! This silly crap you call news is geared to spoiled children.
Challenge and inform us, ask probing intelligent questions and please ask a follow up question. If you think people aren't informed why don't you accept some of the blame. Perhaps you want us uninformed?
I doubt if any news anchor or a social media billionaire will read this blog but I now distrust you far more than government. Government is by nature secretive and dishonest but you are the fourth estate, enjoying the protection of the first amendment. You have a charge to inform us about what they are doing.
Why do you spout virtue, openness and free speech but then you hide the truth and tell us lies.
