If You Feel a Loss of Mental Acuity, You Must be Watching Television News

 

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

 

When I was much younger, I was an admirer of Edward R. Murrow, John Chancellor, Walter Cronkite, and other men who were respected and honest reporters. These men were legitimate journalists who offered the facts without inuendo, without personal opinion, or any intent related to financial gain. Today’s pretend journalists are paid millions of dollars and are required to report what television executives instruct them to tell their viewers. Like Fox News, all network broadcasts are more concerned about advertising revenue than the truth.

I followed the 2016 campaign with a combination of fascination and fear. After the most disgusting and embarrassing primary season in history, our country was left with two options.

Hillary Clinton was undeniably the most qualified presidential candidate in history. She remains a lifelong public servant who will be remembered by historians as a woman who worked to improve the lives of all Americans.

Her opponent, Donald Trump, was a failed businessman known more for his controversial business practices and alleged sexual misconduct. His accomplishments were zero, having used other people’s money to live the life of a pretend billionaire. He will be remembered as a complete failure as the worst president in history who led a life of crime and tried to overturn his own government.

The campaign season was more revolting than the primaries. Lies and baseless personal attacks filled television screens across America. Ms. Clinton led in the polls consistently.

However, our government was aware of one fact which altered the results and prevented the voting public from knowing the truth.

In October, prior to November 8, 2016, a meeting was held in the Oval Office between the leaders of both parties. Moscow Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Chuck Schumer, and Nancy Pelosi, joined President Obama, Vice-President Biden and the heads of our national security agencies. The subject was a confirmation of efforts by Russian President Vladimir Putin to interfere in the upcoming election in favor of Donald Trump. They made a decision which continues to confound and frighten me seven years later. They agreed to keep the information a secret. Once again, our government considered themselves more important than the American people’s right to know the truth. It also proved to be the cause for a division in our nation which can never be repaired. Trump succeeded in bringing an end to the once Grand Old Party, and nearly brought an end to the United States of America.

The media refused to report the facts. Apparently, they believe that money is more important than the people of our country. All men and women who claim to be journalists today care about in the 21^st century are their personal ambitions.

They have the means to know everything which happens in America but refuse to offer their viewers the complete truth. They have protected Trump since 2015 and continue to give him airtime. This is trash journalism and the reason the fourth estate no longer exists.

There is one sad fact which greatly disturbs this 77-year-old man. None of this can be repaired. Money is more important to our nation’s millionaires and billionaires than the future of an entire nation. That will never change. We have moved on from a capitalist society and become a plutocracy.

21,951,000 people in the U.S. have a net worth of $1 million or more. There are currently 724 billionaires, a number which increased over the pandemic. This small number of American citizens control the future of all 330 million people.

The men and women who offer the “news of the day” are all members of the millionaire’s club. Think about it.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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