Today On This Day:
A Few Things About Media And Politics
In a world where we are inundated with information, separating what we hear that impacts our lives from items with intentionally distracting narratives fed to media contacts from Congressional assistants and special interest groups, the desire to sift through it all can be daunting. Coming into 2021 after 4 years of successful disinformation with the past year adding the Covid experience, we all are deciding what to take in and what to avoid. In your efforts to stay updated, here is a north star to assist you in contextualizing what you will hear from various news outlets, political talking heads and media personalities as well as what to consider when you hear it. My hope is it will help you hear what hasn’t been said and interpret what has been implied.
Narratives The Media and GOP Supporters Will Drive In 2021:
1. ”We must address the concerns of the 74 million voters” who’s candidate
lost the Presidential election (and encouraged a terrorist insurrection).
What They Won’t Say:
Remembering recent history, this discussion only occurs when Democrats hold the Presidency. Democrat Bill Clinton had the Blue Dog Dems who voted with the GOP 40% of the time while watering down policy. Under Barack Obama’s 2- term presidency, GOP supported zero efforts to reduce systemic and overt racism, inflamed racist and white supremecist supporters, supported the infamous Tea Party, refused to speak against conspiracy theories espoused by party members while watering town votes. 0h I must include the commitment by then Senate minority Leader Mitch McConnell to “make him a one term President’’ Lastly, somehow we all need to make sure we address their need to be coddled, consoled, considered as if they did not just vote to continue the worst 4 years in the past 50.
2. The Need For Unity (to satisfy concerns brought by terrorist insurrectionists, racists and corporations) and bipartisanship is critical to getting anything done legislatively.
What They Won’t Say:
The only way the Biden Administration can pass legislature in the Senate is through (D) Joe Manchin (W.V.), (R) Susan Collins (Me.) or (R) Lisa Murkowski (Ak.). What you will not hear is all three voted against removing #45 from office, for appointing Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite reports of abuse against women (Collins had everyone waiting with baited breath as her reelection campaign was not looking good then after a quick meeting with Mitch, scolded viewers for challenging Kavanaugh’s qualifications),and have a long partnership supporting (R) Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
3. The new President of the Senate, VP Kamala Harris is the tie-breaker for votes along party lines creating an expected Democratic win.
What They Won’t Say:
Joe Manchin will not vote with fellow Democrats without getting special demands met for his state. When he does not support Democrats, there will be no vote tie.
4. Majority Rules In The Senate so Democrats will take the lead in deciding what gets voted on,
What They Won’t Say:
The specific opposition by Republicans to any specific consideration for Black Americans is so fierce, no one discusses it, including Democrats outside of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Wi), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-Ma), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mi) and Corey Bush (D-Mo)
5. GOP negotiation strategy is pretty straightforward so Democrats are expected to win big.
What They Won’t Say:
GOP tactics are harsh on even procedural issues. They will:
a. Create extreme, even unreasonable negotiation points.
b, Delay, delay, delay on every issue.
c. Play the negotiation out in the press.
d. Even when you lose the argument, create legal amendments that water
down your opponent’s desired outcome.
e. Ultimately even after adding amendments, they still vote against the
bill when it is brought to the floor.
The impact of the political debates this year will affect the same people most affected in the last 3 presidencies (the poor and marginalized). You will never hear major media outlet anchors applying history to the politicians with questionable integrity beyond their last public statement.
Many reporters, tv news producers and pundits have political views and personal sentiments that would have them vote GOP so their point of view in covering stories, their sources and information base is right- centered. Thus they are more tolerable when it comes to Republican nonsense,
Now go forth enlightened……….
@michaelacanty is a Social, Political and Entertainment Commentator, Human Development and Leadership Consultant, creator of weRwideopen an initiative established to openly discuss issues of race and equality, blogs, “Movies, Music, TVPlus” and “Politics Is Not a Bad Word” as well as author of the upcoming book, “Today On This Day: Meditations To Live and Love By”
