The exceptionalism grates on me, but I don't think it is easy to fix. It is a deep rooted ideology, taught from kindergarten on. Now, it should be noted that most countries are the same way, it's probably only the US and China (maybe Russia too) that are large enough to sustain the myth in such a comprehensive manner. I guess I would recommend that open-minded individuals from the US should examine Chinese exceptionalism and perhaps it will throw some light on their own ideology.
However, I think for me the sheer amnesia (which again certainly occurs in my own country also) is for me the really scary part. Whenever Iran is discussed, particularly on dKos, it seems there are plenty of commenters from the US who don't remember how the Iraq saga unfolded and continually make the same remarks:
"There's no solid evidence that the Bush admin wants war. There's other people involved in this, how can you say Bush is the prime mover, everyone agrees Iran is a problem."
They don't seem able to remember saying the same things over Iraq or if they do, their attitude is so ahistorical as to think that what happened last time is not relevant to what is happening now.
Heh, you say that while I am semi-absent for months and barely publish even a diary a week on average (minus the train diaries)... DeAnander is a frontpager-in-hiding, but I come pretty close. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Does that make me ET rolling stock?
particularly on dKos, it seems there are plenty of commenters from the US who don't remember how the Iraq saga unfolded and continually make the same remarks: "There's no solid evidence that the Bush admin wants war. There's other people involved in this, how can you say Bush is the prime mover, everyone agrees Iran is a problem."
It was probably that fight that prompted this because it was so memorable (amd memorably bloody - McJoan didn't post for weeks after).
I think the real problem is their tradional media. TV is staunchly republican when it's not positively neo-conservative. The sunday talk shows are laughable models of (un)fair and (im)balanced.
Meanwhile the two major national papers, the NYT and the Washington Post seem incapable of printing anything without checking it first with the WH.
So the background noise is all right wing and the cultural consencus is always endorsing GOP talking points. It really must seem like the Brave New Blue Pill World over there and unless you really make an effort it must seem overwhelming.
It's easy to mock here in Europe where we have such diverse media. Reaching your own opinion doesn't require effort, just willingness to look. I admire the fact that there are still 48% strong enough to resist at the last election when every medium was telling them to succumb. keep to the Fen Causeway
I would have to respectfully disagree with your charectarization of the American news media. While I'm sure there are examples of conservative leaning articles in the NYT and WaPo, those two papers lean pretty strongly to the left. (btw, there is no question in my mind that the average poster on Daily Koz would agree 100% that NYT and WaPo check everything with the White House.) Of course this is my opinion, and I realize that any example I might choose can be criticized as not reflecting the opinion of the a paper in general,,,but I would point out that the last time the Editorial section of the NYT recommended a Republican for President was in 1952. That means that when Ronald Reagan was elected to his second term in 1984, and 49 of 50 states voted for Reagan,,,Minnesota being the home state of Walter Mondale being the exception,,,,that the NYT went with Minnesota and Mondale. This seems like an Editorial Board that is pretty clear on their political views, does it not?
The Wall Street Journal Editorial page is certainly very conservative. And the Chicago Tribune is conservative, though forced to be balanced because they are in a "blue" state (Illinois), and a "blue, blue" city (Chicago).
I would argue that the bastion of Conservative thought tends to be radio, and specifically "talk radio", where though there are a few liberal talk shows, this media is very dominated by the right. Air America is trying to regain some balance in this area, but it's been a difficult fight so far--they are making headway in some cities.
As to the big Sunday talk shows, ABC's George Stephanopolis certainly does not lean toward the Republicans--a former member of the Clinton administration. Tim Russert seems pretty balanced. The Fox show is very new compared to ABC, NBC, and CBS in terms of Sunday Talk shows. These big 3 have been around for, say 50 years or so. Fox' Sunday Show, maybe four years? something like that. Fox is of course conservative.
Though the blogosphere has sites representing all parts of the political spectrum, IMHO the views from the left are dominating that,,this,,,media. Though certainly there is choice. And I would argue that just like in Europe,
here in Europe where we have such diverse media. Reaching your own opinion doesn't require effort, just willingness to look
