Political Rant: Cable Network Lies Keep Presidential Race in Artificial Dead Heat

Good Morning Bloggers - I would like to slam the corporate media for the manipulative "infotainment" they call news during this election, and how they're reporting a "tight race" at this time when all indications are that the race has already tightened and is favoring Obama by double digits.

From what I can observe, CNN and MSNBC are lying about the election at this moment. Yes, they're lying scum. Each continues to call Nevada, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida "swing states" despite the fact that the majority of polls in each of those states is now showing Barack Obama ahead of McCain beyond the margin of error - many by double digits. I won't bother to report on FOX. I don't even consider that to be "infotainment." I just consider it pure propaganda, or crap, whichever you prefer.

I know the networks have a job to keep their ratings up, but they also have a duty to the American people and the airwaves we allow them to use to tell us the truth. It used to be required by law, but since those regulations were gutted by Clinton and the Congress in the 90's I believe it's more of a pledge now. No matter, it's still a pledge.

They should not be allowed to lie, and they are lying to us, their customers. We don't allow package goods companies to lie on their labels (at least the regulated ones), so why should we allow media companies to lie in their news. Sure, Republicans can defend them by saying that if even one poll suggests otherwise then it proves they're not lying, but that's not the standard they use for their statistical analysis. I read through their standards and it is clear that those states should be moved into "leaning-Obama" based on their own criteria.

We all know the only reason they're not doing it is because they need to lie about a close race to keep their ratings up. Those "swing states" remain their only bread and butter. They need to keep those residents frothing at the mouth, creating controversy, and angry. That's the way to keep the rating's up and the money train flowing I guess. It also helps them to keep pumping the candidates for more campaign ad revenues. I think it's despicable, unfair to the campaign donors, unfair to the voters who seek the truth, and shouldn't be allowed to continue after this election.

The networks should have a public obligation to report honest facts during elections. If people knew that the race was going a certain way they might turn their attention to other problems. Keeping us continually in the grip of a fast and furious horse race is dishonest and distracting. It's also completely unfair to the candidate who is actually ahead. They should be able to see the fruits of their labor, and focus on sealing the deal. I hope we make some changes after this is all over.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political News: Two Reports Confront Oil Speculation as Cause of High Prices

A Congressional Research Service Report from August and an independent report by Masters Capitol Management clearly states that recent oil price increases for consumers stem from "downstream" costs, mostly related to oil speculation and markets. So I would like to say "stick it" to all those pundits and media hacks who have been defending oil prices as natural market fluxuations - the worst being Hannity, Cavuto, and Limbaugh - talking points parrots all.

From the CRS Report:
"...the increased price of crude oil since the fall of 2004, profits of virtually all firms in all segments of the oil industry have increased. However, the greatest increases have been in the downstream, or refining and marketing, segments of the industry. These increases in profit are apparent whether the major integrated oil companies, the independents, or refiners are considered, lending some credence to the viewpoint that industry profits are the result of factors beyond the elevated price of crude oil." (Report can be read at: http://www.usis.it/pdf/other/RL33021.pdf)

From the MCM Report:
"...investors poured $60 billion into oil futures markets during the first five months of the year as oil prices soared from $95 a barrel in January to $145 a barrel by July. Since then, these investors have withdrawn $39 billion from those markets as prices have retreated dramatically."

"We have clear evidence the fund flow pushed prices up and the fund flow pushed prices down,” said Michael Masters of Masters Capital Management. The reports stated that the amount of money moving into oil futures markets by large institutional investors in the early part of the year was “way off the scale.”

MSNBC reports that Masters said its analysis shows investors “began a massive stampede for the exits” on July 15 and that this caused the price decline. “These large financial players have become the primary source of the dramatic and damaging volatility seen in oil prices,” concluded the report.

I know many of you probably love any market conditions that earn those of us with money, money, but I try to look out for those who have less and believe that we must change this system. We must return it to a fair, supply and demand system. This should not be allowed to continue.

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