Phoenix is alive. Really. Anyone listening?
A couple of weeks ago, we posted a rumor sent to us by someone who seemed authentic, describing how the Phoenix engine plant and all work around it had been dropped. Perhaps foolishly, we ran it — as a rumor, not as a fact — noting that it was a single source. In the past, we’ve never really been mis-led by such sources. This time, though, we were.
Numerous sites picked up on the rumor, and it gained a strong currency, which appears to have had repercussions on the project itself. We apologized before (and we’re doing it again) for the consequences of this article, even though it was always pegged as a rumor.
What I don’t understand, though, is why, when we ran the retraction, some of the others who picked up on the cancellation of the Phoenix didn’t seem to notice. Jim Press even directly addressed it; and while some outlets picked up on that, others didn’t.
We’re waiting… (tap tap tap).
Yeah, well, welcome to the mass media world. They only prints what they wants. Retractions do not generate the “right” type of response from their readers/viewers, so unless they are literally nailed to the wall by their partners in miss-leading reporting, it don’t happen.
This from a group of “news” people that should hang their collective heads in shame after the election. I have never witnessed such open endorsement of one candidate/party during what they laughingly referred to as “news” in my not-all-that -short lifetime Yes, the media, like all of us, have the right (and duty) to express their opinion IN THEIR EDITORIALS. Obama is indeed the first Black Man to be elected President, a distinction that I would prefer to see deemphasized as racist (I prefer to believe the best man, nay, person, won). What should be noted for its deviousness is that Obama is the first president to be elected by the media. I do not mean to argue the results nor do I want to indicate any displeasure of same (who I voted for is my business). But the media grossly overstepped their bounds and guess what? They don’t care, they think its their God-given right to say anything they want and that’s it. Period.
Oh Walter; Why hast thou forsaken us?
We have long discussed the “mass media” situation that exists in the world, not just this country. Huge conglomerates owned and operated by those that more resemble the clearly “mad” guy in a recent James Bond Movie who not only wanted total media control, he sought to “make” the incident to be able to control the world. Better they should come out like the “NATIONAL ENQUIRER” which clearly doesn’t give a good toot whether what they report is true, maybe true, clearly false, or is just a made up lie, as long as people continue to purchase the damnable thing, they will continue in the mode that sells the garbage. Well, they do make a pass at appearing to be genuine, there are others out there that just are outright ludicrous.
Some of the so called “major” media outlets outright editorialized their stuff right into “news” spins. Disgusting. As well as being even more LUDICROUS! Even when “nailed” they go right on, with no concerns that they are NOT doing anyone any justice, or even concerned that their perception as a reliable source is dead, gone and buried. One major outfit based in NY City, has so clearly gotten out of control that it has no credibility. But in the face of the actuality, people continue to buy the rag, advertise in it, and cite its lamentable slanted editorials.
Unfortunately, because of the posting of this singular ALLPAR article, which was taken at face value, now, other postings, from reliable sourcing, are getting questioned and may even be held back unless the poster has cited where the information came from. While many may say that this is exactly what they want, and what is needed, it does give pause to normally credible sourcing from putting forth a good post.
Retraction is no where near as interesting as a sensational NEGATIVE story. 100,000 attaboys are totally destroyed by one “aw s##ks” [cleaned up by me, but you know what I mean) and that one instance will carry forth long and far. That does NOT mean that there is no obligation to make that retraction. And ALLPAR deserves unqualified credit for facing the situation and squarely stepping out to plant firmly its credibility. There are many that appreciate it, even when there are so many that just ignore it for whatever reason they have.
As for EDITORIALS…… Well, and this is MY OWN OPINION, and nothing should reflect upon this site, way too much is editorialized with no consideration of the FACTS. In fact (construe as you wish) if the situation being summarized in editorial columns does have some factual base, MOST will ignore those facts, and make up their own “facts” to suit their own dispositions. And if YOU submit a counter to such outright spin based editorials you will be met with a slew of threatening responses, aside from the being derided in the most vile, negative way.
Even today, my least favorite, but ONLY newspaper has a column “my word” which offered up that “truth” in political ads would not be tolerated in “truth” in advertising of products. Which makes we wonder just how much he understands about product advertising that enables him to jump into political content. He started to make an interesting case, up until he attacked talk radio. Naming a prominent talk show host, labeling him the consummate liar, and advocating removal of such people and programs from the public. Notwithstanding that unless the Supreme Court changes in the next couple of years to personify the current elected administration/congress outlooks, hopefully such instances of implementation of such a policy would be outside the Constitution. I am NOT taking a position, I am only expressing a genuine ALARM that going after basic tenants of Constitutional Protected Speech/rights is the tip of the ice berg of a long slippery slope into the abyss, which will do NO ONE any good over the LONG TERM, despite the short term satisfaction of stifling of opposing views.
All of a sudden there are a flood of rumors that are getting rehashed by analysts and so called experts. Many of these experts are in academia. Often times that is as far away from the real world as one can get. Dave has pointed out that the World engines produced in Dundee, MI are of Korean origin. Half of that facility remains unused because of there is little demand for the Neon’s replacements or the current midsized cars. The other reason the facility remains half empty is both Mitsubishi and Hyundai got cold feet on using engines built there. Now it wouldn’t surprise me if Cerberus was chasing down all the parties who were originally involved in this GEMA enterprise. Then when this drama is discovered by the analysts the rumors circulate. “Dogchow Motors Ltd. in secret talks to purchase Desoto from Chryslerllc.” Follow the money. The analysts are paid by investment bankers to produce information for decision making. Investment bankers are the same people the taxpayers paid 3/4 of a Trillion dollars to get their butts out of the sling they have wrapped themselves into.
John,
Actually you could say and be entirely truthful that Obama is the first half-white person elected to the Whitehouse. If we are going to be so hung up on race instead of looking at a person as an individual instead of a group identity then you can look at this from several perspectives. He is representative of so many Americans that have a mixed heritage. You are spot on about the media in general. The final straw for me was the CBS forged documents. I told a friend that it was a shame that the democrat lost this election. He looked at me kinda of puzzled. I explained to him that I thought of John McCain as a traditional democrat. Conservative on some things and progressive on others. Obama is a different thing altogether. It remains to be seen whether he will govern center, center-left, or extreme left. But I don’t expect the media to do anything but fawn over him.
Curtis, the NATIONAL ENQUIRER lately has done some very solid investigative reporting and has beaten the major media to the punch on several stories. I don’t know if that reflects well on the ENQUIRER or jus badly on the major media.
If you really want to get technical, you could say that the victory of the son of an African and a white American is somewhat irrelevant to the descendants of slaves. However, … I personally would not have believed in the 1970s and 1980s and even in the 1990s that we could have a dark-skinned president. When I went to school, people segregated themselves by skin color — whites sought whites, blacks appeared to seek blacks. One of my best friends from high school explained that he was as nervous in an all-white crowd as I would probably be in an all-black crowd.
I don’t think of McCain as a traditional democrat - not any more. Not since, in 2004-06, he started turning back on his prior middle of the road beliefs and pandering to his base. Perhaps this will cause some soul searching among Republican leaders; I miss the pre-Reagan Republicans.
Let me repeat: Some of the so called “major” media outlets outright editorialized their stuff right into “news” spins. Disgusting. As well as being even more LUDICROUS! Even when “nailed” they go right on, with no concerns that they are NOT doing anyone any justice, or even concerned that their perception as a reliable source is dead, gone and buried. One major outfit based in NY City, has so clearly gotten out of control that it has no credibility. But in the face of the actuality, people continue to buy the rag, advertise in it, and cite its lamentable slanted editorials.
ADDED TODAY: The WASHINGTON POST newspaper, who’s Ombudsman unapologetically announced that of course they wrote more favorably about one presidential candidate over the other, going out of their way to paint a negative view of one candidate. Which in my view, negates them for a credible source of “news” because they clearly engage in spin, therefore, have set aside truth for yellow journal writings, and totally cannot be trusted for reporting anything.
As for the NATIONAL ENQUIRER, they do deserve credit because they make no effort to hide what they are. Which is a LOT more than you can say for the majority of the current crop of MASS MEDIA. The “outing” of a certain presidential candidate having an alleged sexual affair by the NE does not establish their credibility any more OR any LESS than the lack of the MAJOR MASS MEDIA for NOT outing it! So in the sense that windswords sets forth, he agrees with me.
I also agree about the “traditional” Democrat. I think myself that Harry Truman might have been about the last one….. until McCain came along. Perhaps he and Joe Lieberman should both switch sides! But, there are not too many around that would relate to the values espoused by the Democrat Party as it presently manifests itself as opposed to what it used to be.
Can you explain how McCain has principles of Democrats? I must be missing something there.