Rambling Rhodes

Homer, The Media, And Iraq

Media: Absorb this information on Iraq, but beware that you may not be getting the whole story.

Homer: Ooh, that's bad.

Media: But our stated purpose is to inform people.

Homer: That's good!

Media: The Iraq war has disolved into an ominous quagmire with no apparent exit strategy.

Homer: That's bad.

Media: But Saddam and his torturous, oppressive regime and the Ba'ath party have been deposed.

Homer: That's good!

Media: But no weapons of mass destruction have been found.

Homer: That's bad.

Media: But Iraq is acting as a theater that attracts terrorists and keeps them from threatening U.S. soil and has resulted in a decrease in terrorism worldwide.

Homer: That's good!

Media: But U.S. soldiers have been abusing prisoners.

Homer: That's bad.

Media: But U.S. soldiers and contractors have been rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure, including schools and water treatment plants across the country.

Homer: That's good!

Media: But the religious tensions between Shia and Sunni Moslems has given rise to a radical cleric named al Sadr who encourages anti-U.S. uprisings in such places as Falluja.

Homer: That's bad.

Media: But most of the country is moving on peacefully and embracing the post-Saddam environment.

Homer: That's good!

Media: But this is an election year, with the presidency on the line, so everything you read will be slanted more and more towards opposing political viewpoints and the personal opinions and agendas of those of us in the media will continue to color the tone and message of supposed news and Iraq will become even more of a political football.

Homer: . . .

Media: That's bad.

Homer: Can I go now?

Posted by Ryan at May 20, 2004 11:19 AM