Why Conservatives Opt for Propaganda Over Reality

[marshalt]

I have never seen you post an original thought of your own.

 

[Hard_Rom]

lots of people drinking the kool aid

You're either on the bus or off the bus.


A good debater can actually argue effectively his opponents point of view.

There are two sides to every argument.

Newspapers(and ilk) purpose is to sell newspapers (and accompanying advertisements).

The medium is the message. They can't be separated.

 

[Colonel Hogan]

From AlterNet:

AlterNet / By Amanda Marcotte

Why Conservatives Opt for Propaganda Over Reality

Conservatives are consuming a right-wing media full of lies and misinformation, whereas liberals are more interested in media that puts facts before ideology.

October 22, 2014

Pew Research set out to find what’s behind what it considers the increasing political polarization of the United States; why the country is moving away from political moderation and becoming more and more divided between liberals and conservatives. Its first report on the phenomenon, which examines where people are hearing news and opinion in both regular and social media, shows that this is happening for very different reasons among people moving to the right than for people moving to the left.

Or that’s the charitable way to put it. The less charitable way is to say Pew discovered that conservatives are consuming a right-wing media full of lies and misinformation, whereas liberals are more interested in media that puts facts before ideology. It’s very much not a “both sides do it” situation. Conservatives are becoming more conservative because of propaganda, whereas liberals are becoming more liberal while staying very much checked into reality.

That this polarization is going on isn’t a myth. Previous Pew research shows the percentage of Americans who are “mostly” or “consistently” conservative has grown from 18% in 2004 to 27% in 2014. During that same period, the percentage of Americans who are “mostly” or “consistently” liberal stayed a little more consistent, growing from 33% to 34% in 10 years. (These statistics don’t measure what you call yourself, but what you rate as on a scale of beliefs about various issues.) While liberals became more liberal, conservatives both became more numerous and more rigidly conservative over time. What gives?

Enter right-wing media, which has a nifty trick of convincing audiences it’s the other guys who are the liars, all while actually being much less trustworthy in reality. From conservative screaming about the “media elite” to Fox News’s old slogan “Fair and Balanced,” conservative media is rife with the message that everyone is out to get you, conservative viewer, and only in the warm blanket of right-wing propaganda will you be safe.

The message, the Pew research suggests, has really taken hold. Pew researchers gave respondents a list of 36 popular media sources and asked how much they trusted each one. Some were liberal, like The Daily Show or ThinkProgress. Some were conservative, like Rush Limbaugh or Fox News. Most of them are fairly straightforward news organizations with no overt political agenda, like NPR, various network news, CNN, and the New York Times.

The findings were astounding. Out of the 36 news sources, consistent liberals trusted 28, a mix of liberal and mainstream news sources. Mostly, liberal respondents generally agreed, holding out a little more skepticism for overtly ideological sources like Daily Kos or ThinkProgress, but not actually distrusting them, either. The only news sources liberals didn’t trust, generally, are overtly right-wing ones, such as Fox News, the Blaze, Breitbart, or Rush Limbaugh’s show.

Conservatives, on the other hand, saw betrayers and liars around every corner. Consistent conservatives distrusted a whopping 24 out of 36 outlets and mostly conservative respondents distrusted 15 and were skeptical of quite a few more. The hostility wasn’t just to well-known liberal sources like MSNBC. Strong conservatives hated all the network news, CNN, NPR, and the major national outlets, except the Wall Street Journal. Respondents who are mostly conservative fared better, but were still hostile to the New York Times and the Washington Post, as well as skeptical of mainstream organizations like CBS and NBC News.

The fact that conservatives are this paranoid should be alarming enough, but it becomes even more frightening when you consider who conservatives do trust in the media. Consistent conservatives only trusted 8 media sources--compared to the 28 liberals trusted--and of the eight, only one has anything approaching respectable reporting or reliable information. And that one, the Wall Street Journal, has good straight reporting but has an op-ed page that is a train wreck of right-wing distortions and misinformation. Most conservative people were a little more open-minded, trusting USA Today and ABC News, but still were supportive of openly distorting sources like Fox News or the Drudge Report.

The trust conservatives put in conservative media is utterly misplaced. For instance, both consistent and mostly conservative people love Glenn Beck, though he’s a well-known purveyor of outrageous conspiracy theories that percolate up to him from fringe characters. Breitbart and Sean Hannity also rated high, despite their shared history of championing right-wing fringe characters like Cliven Bundy.

But what is really frightening is the reach of Fox News. Fox News rated as the only real news source for consistent conservatives, with 47% of them citing it as their main source of news. Nothing even came close to touching it, as the second most common answer, “local radio” was cited by only 11% of consistent conservatives. Eighty-eight percent of consistent conservatives trusted Fox News. Mostly conservative and even “mixed” people also liked Fox News.

The problem with this is watching Fox News actually makes you less informed than if you don't watch any news at all. In a 2012 study, Fox News viewers rated the absolute lowest in ability to correctly answer questions on a quiz about recent news events. People who didn’t take in any news programs at all did better on the quizzes. NPR listeners rated the best. Consistent liberals in the Pew research were big fans of NPR, by the way. It was the second most common outlet cited as a favorite by consistent liberals, topped only by CNN.

Fox News is one of the main factors, possibily the main factor, driving political polarization in this country. Huge chunks of this country listen mostly or solely to a relentless stream of misinformation coming from Fox News, coupled with warnings, implied or even baldly stated, to avoid listening to other, more factually accurate news sources. Unsurprisingly, then, more people are becoming conservatives and people who were already conservative are becoming more hardline about it. If you have any Fox viewers in your family, you probably already suspected this, but now Pew has given us the cold, hard facts to confirm your suspicions.

Amanda Marcotte co-writes the blog Pandagon. She is the author of "It's a Jungle Out There: The Feminist Survival Guide to Politically Inhospitable Environments."

Amanda is obviously deeply disappointed that the ranks of political conservatives have grown faster than those of liberals.

But that is little excuse for her taking an OBJECTIVE research study on the NUMBERS of people voicing their trust or distrust of specific NUMBERS of media outlets and forming the wholly SUBJECTIVE conclusion as to which side of the polarized mass believes in lies and which side is graced with the Shining Halo of Truth.

Nowhere in the Pew study is any media organization of group of organizations characterized as "straightforward" or as distributing a "relentless stream of misinformation." We have only Amanda to thank for that.

And yet even she is apparently unable to explain why mere exposure to the lies of a distinct minority of conservative media outlets result in an INCREASE of people who CHANGE their self-identity to conservative or why that change is, by her own words, "UNSURPRISING" in light of the greater number of "factually accurate news sources" we all are exposed to.

There are no surprises in the Pew study as to the fact that conservatives and liberals have their preferred sources of news and information. But neither Pew nor Amanda offer any substantiated hypothesis as to why "mostly or consistent" conservatism grew by 9% in the 10-year period from 2004 to 2014.

All we really know from reading such a polarizing piece of blatant propaganda is that Amanda Marcotte is this year's odds on favorite for inclusion in the political commentary division of the Crock-of-Shit Hall of Fame.

 

[unregistered]

 

[Colonel Hogan]

This is true.

Our current crop of conservatives are not really conservatives in the old political definition of the word. They are reactionaries who feel the government is obligated to preserve the lifestyle to which they feel entitled.

The feel like they are under siege by those who would take away their right to drive 80mph and burn cheap gasoline on a road that someone else paid to build.

When a person is in this state of mine, they'll believe anything that aligns with their prejudices or brings them comfort.

Are you suggesting this is only true for those in the state of Louisiana?

 

[kbate]

When you follow the link, you get to an opinion piece from a left-wing site that is basing its remarks on yet another left wing blog.

When you go to the actual Pew report and poll...



Well, let us just say that some of the analysis presented is a bit imaginative in its reading between the lines with the key consistent partisan measure being 12% Democrat and 9% conservative.



Now add in the 3% greater number of Democrats and you have an even divide, something we already know.

Even worse mostly liberal and consistently liberal is 34%, mostly conservative and consistently conservative is 27% putting, as KO want to present it, the PROPAGANDA ball actually further into the other court with a 7% advantage to the Liberals.

Lies, damned lies and STATISTICS!

When the facts do not fit the narrative - indict the source of the facts.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

When the facts do not fit the narrative - indict the source of the facts.

No darling, I went straight to the facts to see what they said. All I did was to follow the links.

 

[bronzeage]

Are you suggesting this is only true for those in the state of Louisiana?

I knew someone would catch that before I edited it.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Liberals are much less tolerant than conservatives of political opinions differing from their own, especially on social media, more consistently choosing to Unfriend, Block, Mute or sever friendships with those whose politics they disagree with.

Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/politics-...tudy-political-polarization.htm#ixzz3H5NfQaOX

Anyone can pick and choose which parts of the poll say something.

For example: liberals are proud that they read a variety of sources and look down on conservatives for using fewer sources. This is all fine and dandy unless all of your sources say the same thing.



“I used to think the left wing was the home of tolerance, open-mindedness, respect for all viewpoints…
But, now I’ve learned the truth the hard way.“
The big lesson for me [working at NPR] was the intolerance of so-called liberals. I say intolerance because I grew up as a black Democrat in Brooklyn, N.Y., and always thought it was the Archie Bunker Republicans who practiced intolerance. My experience at NPR revealed to me how rigid liberals can be when their orthodoxy is challenged. I was the devil for simply raising questions, offering a different viewpoint, not shutting my mouth about the excesses of liberalism — a bad guy, a traitor to the cause.
Juan Williams

 

[contrifan32]

Do you take it seriously that you're a cunt?

Even if it's the truth and you know it?

A comment like that from the likes of you... umm no in fact I don't

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

A comment like that from the likes of you... umm no in fact I don't

Just a performance alt...

 

[RobDownSouth]

No darling, I went straight to the facts to see what they said. All I did was to follow the links.

You went straight to the facts, cherry picked a few that fit your preconceived political bias, trumpeted them loud 'n long, and smugly declared "victory", which you did until someone (kbate, in this case) points out your duplicity, and then it's "victim time".

 

[Sean]

Liberals are much less tolerant than conservatives of political opinions differing from their own, especially on social media, more consistently choosing to Unfriend, Block, Mute or sever friendships with those whose politics they disagree with.

Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/politics-...tudy-political-polarization.htm#ixzz3H5NfQaOX

Anyone can pick and choose which parts of the poll say something.

For example: liberals are proud that they read a variety of sources and look down on conservatives for using fewer sources. This is all fine and dandy unless all of your sources say the same thing.



“I used to think the left wing was the home of tolerance, open-mindedness, respect for all viewpoints…
But, now I’ve learned the truth the hard way.“
The big lesson for me [working at NPR] was the intolerance of so-called liberals. I say intolerance because I grew up as a black Democrat in Brooklyn, N.Y., and always thought it was the Archie Bunker Republicans who practiced intolerance. My experience at NPR revealed to me how rigid liberals can be when their orthodoxy is challenged. I was the devil for simply raising questions, offering a different viewpoint, not shutting my mouth about the excesses of liberalism — a bad guy, a traitor to the cause.
Juan Williams

LOL...

Actually, he probably would have been in the lovelynice camp.






~~~~~~~~~


Petey, I'm just done with you for a while. Get back to me when you can stop acting like a Democrat and act like an adult.

 

[RjThoughts]

Example of GOP's "reality", as shown by Ted Cruz's Deputy Chief of Staff:

 

[BotanyBoy]

Glad the left never just conveniently ignores reality to suit it's political goals

They have never fucked up or done anything malicious....EVER!! They are perfect in every way just ask the likes of Rob and RJ....all fuck ups are 110% GOP's fault and Obama is absolutely BEYOND reproach or question, so much so it's suddenly cool to drop bombs in Iraq. Patriot act that they wanted to impeach bush for? Totally awesome now....Drug war? The fuckin' bomb kid!! Just say NO!!

American politics are a fucking joke....we are going to lose our place in the world because stupid partisan pissing contest while we become a 2nd rate shit hole of a country on the brink of if not on and off civil war.

 

[RjThoughts]

Glad the left never just conveniently ignores reality to suit it's political goals

One party doesn't mind Creationism being taught in public schools in Science class.

 

[*professorx*]

You're either on the bus or off the bus.


A good debater can actually argue effectively his opponents point of view.

There are two sides to every argument.

Newspapers(and ilk) purpose is to sell newspapers (and accompanying advertisements).

The medium is the message. They can't be separated.

WHAT is the debate ,,,,,,,,,,,, no debate about the decline of society in general

 

[bronzeage]

WHAT is the debate ,,,,,,,,,,,, no debate about the decline of society in general

The decline of society?

Things are pretty good in my neighborhood. We have running water and flush toilets. I don't ask for civilization to provide much more than that. I can take care of the rest.

 

[BotanyBoy]

One party doesn't mind Creationism being taught in public schools in Science class.

That doesn't mean (D) is altruistic and pure as the driven snow and the (R) some diabolical force out to destroy the nation and it's people.

See what I mean? You won't even acknowledge as much.....just ignore it "BUT BUT (R) said some stupid shit!!"

Well guess what...(D) says/does some stupid fucking shit too....if you weren't such a political hack die hard DNC cheerleader you might understand the reality that the (D) is marginally better at BEST.

They have FOX...you have MSN....both compete on a regular basis to see who can put the most lies out, and MSN has won a few if not several years for the biggest fucking liars in news media.

For every shitt fucking RW policy of derp the DNC follows up with another.....maybe not the same subject/issue but it doesn't ever take them long to drop the ball with "WTF kinda stupid fucking shit is this?" it's liburhul stupid fucking shit. I know you don't believe that's possible but I assure you it is...just move to SF, liburhul HQ....plenty of retard happening on the left side of the camp. Not that you could ever believe such slander against your precious.....but if you did you wouldn't be the raving LW zealot you are now would you??

 

[AllyRose]

Ah Creationism.

Lewis Black: "Whenever someone says they believe the earth was created in 7 days, I grab a*fossil*and say, "Fossil."

 

[*professorx*]

The decline of society?

Things are pretty good in my neighborhood. We have running water and flush toilets. I don't ask for civilization to provide much more than that. I can take care of the rest.

AMEN to that .......... but for now ,,,what others do ...have a large effect on "our" inner circle

 

[RjThoughts]

That doesn't mean (D) is altruistic and pure as the driven snow and the (R) some diabolical force out to destroy the nation and it's people.

See what I mean? You won't even acknowledge as much.....just ignore it "BUT BUT (R) said some stupid shit!!"

Well guess what...(D) says/does some stupid fucking shit too....if you weren't such a political hack die hard DNC cheerleader you might understand the reality that the (D) is marginally better at BEST.

They have FOX...you have MSN....both compete on a regular basis to see who can put the most lies out, and MSN has won a few if not several years for the biggest fucking liars in news media.

For every shitt fucking RW policy of derp the DNC follows up with another.....maybe not the same subject/issue but it doesn't ever take them long to drop the ball with "WTF kinda stupid fucking shit is this?" it's liburhul stupid fucking shit. I know you don't believe that's possible but I assure you it is...just move to SF, liburhul HQ....plenty of retard happening on the left side of the camp. Not that you could ever believe such slander against your precious.....but if you did you wouldn't be the raving LW zealot you are now would you??

Labeling me as a LW zealot is incredulous. Because I prescribe to certain views of the Democratic party, you assume I follow every single thought they have?

Because I favor a woman's right to chose, makes me a zealot?
Because I favor lowering student loan interest rates?
Because I favor Same Sex marriages?
Because I favor background checks for gun and ammo purchases?

I gave one instance of the GOP lunacy, that makes me a liberal zealot?

I could have easily said that one party wants to tighten school lunch programs, not have so many choices available.

But I didn't. And I'm labeled a LW'er.

 

[RobDownSouth]

That doesn't mean (D) is altruistic and pure as the driven snow and the (R) some diabolical force out to destroy the nation and it's people.

See what I mean? You won't even acknowledge as much.....just ignore it "BUT BUT (R) said some stupid shit!!"

Well guess what...(D) says/does some stupid fucking shit too....if you weren't such a political hack die hard DNC cheerleader you might understand the reality that the (D) is marginally better at BEST.

They have FOX...you have MSN....both compete on a regular basis to see who can put the most lies out, and MSN has won a few if not several years for the biggest fucking liars in news media.

For every shitt fucking RW policy of derp the DNC follows up with another.....maybe not the same subject/issue but it doesn't ever take them long to drop the ball with "WTF kinda stupid fucking shit is this?" it's liburhul stupid fucking shit. I know you don't believe that's possible but I assure you it is...just move to SF, liburhul HQ....plenty of retard happening on the left side of the camp. Not that you could ever believe such slander against your precious.....but if you did you wouldn't be the raving LW zealot you are now would you??

Ah, Botany Choi is peddlin' his balance equivalency derp once more. The Republican Derp outnumbers the Democratic Derp by at least a 10 to 1 ratio, but that doesn't stop our boy from clutchin' his pearls and yammering how "both sides do it".

*snicker*

 

[RobDownSouth]

Labeling me as a LW zealot is incredulous. Because I prescribe to certain views of the Democratic party, you assume I follow every single thought they have?

Because I favor a woman's right to chose, makes me a zealot?
Because I favor lowering student loan interest rates?
Because I favor Same Sex marriages?
Because I favor background checks for gun and ammo purchases?

I gave one instance of the GOP lunacy, that makes me a liberal zealot?

I could have easily said that one party wants to tighten school lunch programs, not have so many choices available.

But I didn't. And I'm labeled a LW'er.

He's just tryin' to position himself "above the fray" with smug bitchy meta-commentary. Kinda like kbate, but with slightly less hair on his legs.

 

[PoppingTom]

A comment like that from the likes of you... umm no in fact I don't

No offense. I just ask.

If you're not into truth, there's no reason to take any bad press against you seriously. So don't expect it from people having an agenda opposing truth.