An illustration of media bias

[Loren Pechtel]

At the end of the day, media outlets are for-profit enterprises and always have been. They cater to the biases of their audiences because that’s what sells. What’s odd is that with so much consolidation in ownership, many of the same companies are essentially selling to both sides of those biases at once.

That's not odd, it's just your basic abandonment of any pretence at morality, in favour of making money. It's a foundational principle of the United States of America.

It's not just the US.

 

[Gospel]

At the end of the day, media outlets are for-profit enterprises and always have been. They cater to the biases of their audiences because that’s what sells. What’s odd is that with so much consolidation in ownership, many of the same companies are essentially selling to both sides of those biases at once.

That's not odd, it's just your basic abandonment of any pretence at morality, in favour of making money. It's a foundational principle of the United States of America.

You’re right that by for-profit standards it’s not odd at all, it’s exactly what you’d expect when chasing money above everything else. But it is odd from a civic or ethical standpoint, where you’d hope institutions shaping public opinion would show at least some consistency or responsibility. So yeah, normal under capitalism for media corporations to profit from selling opposing biases at the same time, but it’s profoundly strange if you’re the type that builds trust & integrity, and work for the public good.

Some here (like Loren) consider that naive. Truth is, I know damn well the world isn’t wonderful because I’ve been fucked by it more times than I can count. I just refuse to let that turn me into a shitty person like they are. Even if that means being called antisemitic, race-obsessed, or whatever other garbage people project my way.

 

[Tigers!]

There are a lot of people who think the answer is in muzzling Israel, doing nothing about Hamas.

Is anyone here saying that?

Well if you criticise, scold, complain about everything is Israel is doing or trying to do, yet barely mention Hamas then perhaps it might be true.

No one here is arguing that Hamas is the good guy. If there were, I'm sure they would be criticized, scolded, and complained about too. What is it about that that your side doesn't understand?

I've said numerous times there are no good guys in this war.

You and others, do say that Hamas are not the good guys. Yet you steadfast refuse to want to truly hold Hamad to account. It is all just talk.
How, IYHO, could Hamas be removed from
a) attacking Israel again as was done on Oct 7th?
b) subjugating the inhabitants of Gaza to a dreadful existence where they are held down and not masters of their own destinys?

The only ones i.e. Israel, who are trying to hold Hamas accountable are constantly accused are genocide, disporporiate response etc.
What are your solution(s) to free the Gazans?

This is not to say that Israel is blameless. The flinging of 500-1000lb bombs into Gaza like they are now is too monstrous. They need to be far more diligent and careful.

It does seem to me that whilst you (very occasionally decry) Hamas' activities you are conetnt with the status quo, that is, Hamas being in control of Gaza.

 

[laughing dog]

There are a lot of people who think the answer is in muzzling Israel, doing nothing about Hamas.

Is anyone here saying that?

Well if you criticise, scold, complain about everything is Israel is doing or trying to do, yet barely mention Hamas then perhaps it might be true.

No one here is arguing that Hamas is the good guy. If there were, I'm sure they would be criticized, scolded, and complained about too. What is it about that that your side doesn't understand?

I've said numerous times there are no good guys in this war.

You and others, do say that Hamas are not the good guys. Yet you steadfast refuse to want to truly hold Hamad to account. It is all just talk.

Of course it is just talk - this is a discussion board.

 

[ZiprHead]

You say that, but you continue to say the only solution is for Israel to quit doing anything beyond guarding the border. Ignore the bully who is trying to kill you.

When have I ever said that?

Your "answer" is always to stop Israel to break the cycle.

Again, when have I ever said that?

 

[Loren Pechtel]

This is not to say that Israel is blameless. The flinging of 500-1000lb bombs into Gaza like they are now is too monstrous. They need to be far more diligent and careful.

Hamas' own statistics show the casualties skewing more towards military age males than in the past. Israel is doing a good job.

And watch some of the strike video--it's clear they fuse their bombs to explode in basements or underground, the blast and debris mostly goes up. That video that Derec keeps posting shows it clearly--you can see the initial blast went mostly up, the secondary was clearly above ground and spread out as well as up.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

You say that, but you continue to say the only solution is for Israel to quit doing anything beyond guarding the border. Ignore the bully who is trying to kill you.

When have I ever said that?

Your "answer" is always to stop Israel to break the cycle.

Again, when have I ever said that?

You present their actions as a response to Israeli wrongs.

 

[laughing dog]

You say that, but you continue to say the only solution is for Israel to quit doing anything beyond guarding the border. Ignore the bully who is trying to kill you.

When have I ever said that?

Your "answer" is always to stop Israel to break the cycle.

Again, when have I ever said that?

You present their actions as a response to Israeli wrongs.

Technically, that does not answer the question. Perhaps if you presented a citation and quote to illustrate your point, participants might be able to understand or even accept your unsubstantiated claims, rather than dismiss them outright.

 

[bilby]

you can see the initial blast went mostly up, the secondary was clearly above ground and spread out as well as up

Like a propane tank?

 

[Loren Pechtel]

you can see the initial blast went mostly up, the secondary was clearly above ground and spread out as well as up

Like a propane tank?

Couple of problems with that:

1) Making such a device requires that the explosives be very near the propane tank.

2) The secondary blast came from within the building, thus if it was a fuel-air blast it's from one room. And propane won't burn above 10%.

That secondary boom was explosives or possibly rocket motors, not propane.

 

[bilby]

you can see the initial blast went mostly up, the secondary was clearly above ground and spread out as well as up

Like a propane tank?

Couple of problems with that:

1) Making such a device requires that the explosives be very near the propane tank.

2) The secondary blast came from within the building, thus if it was a fuel-air blast it's from one room. And propane won't burn above 10%.

That secondary boom was explosives or possibly rocket motors, not propane.

Well, you're the expert. Presumably.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

you can see the initial blast went mostly up, the secondary was clearly above ground and spread out as well as up

Like a propane tank?

Couple of problems with that:

1) Making such a device requires that the explosives be very near the propane tank.

2) The secondary blast came from within the building, thus if it was a fuel-air blast it's from one room. And propane won't burn above 10%.

That secondary boom was explosives or possibly rocket motors, not propane.

Well, you're the expert. Presumably.

You don't need to be a n expert to see many of these things. Just look for the inconsistencies. A room full of propane doesn't go up with a boom anything like even the smallest of aircraft-delivered bombs. Look at things for an eye towards what is the most likely explanation rather than an eye towards how is Israel responsible.