Viciousness in this Election Reaches New Low?
I would propose that this election is the most contentious in recent history. As vicious as the 2004 election was with the slew of “hate Bush” and “kill Bush” signs, I believe this election has far surpassed that level. I see two primary reasons that this year is much more charged.
First, media bias is perhaps the biggest reason and contributor. While the “mainstream media” certainly had a favorite in the 2004, 2000, and previous elections, in 2008 we see the so-called “news” organizations practically refuse to cover legitimate, negative stories on their candidate, while running with multiple front-page stories against their opponents–without research or facts in some cases. Now this bias in of itself I would call dishonest and unethical, but I would be hesitant to call it (in most cases) vicious or malicious. However, it does contribute to the distribution of false stories, rumors, and distortions we see so often.
Second, usage of the Internet has only increased over the last four years. Now, everyone seems to have a blog of some type or read one. Popular networking sites like facebook and myspace provide platforms for people to distribute their opinions. Forums and discussion threads about news stories often seems to just serve as a breeding ground for flames and supercharging viciousness. That is, good discussions almost always seem to escalate into flame-fests and at sites where the participants agree, their partisanship just fosters more of the same. It’s much easier to be filled with hate or malice when you’re reading the same on a regular basis. Sites like dailykos and huffingtonpost will post and promote anything negative, regardless if it’s true or not.
I initally set out just to compile a list of examples, but the project started to bore me and I simply gave up after a while. That hardly means there was a shortage of information–it just means there’s plenty more out there and this is only a tiny sample. Since I was going mostly off of memory and this election cycle has been so incredibly long, events that happened more than a few months ago have started to fade from my memory. I should note that in most cases, I’ve simply found a mention of the story via Google. Some are third-party blogs, others are actual news stories from their sources. If I cared more, I would link to the origin of the story, but you’ll get the idea. In other words, the intent of most links is to simply to jog memory.
I’ll start off with the Sen. McCain front page “affair” story in the NYT from months back. Perhaps a better example of bias than viciousness, it nevertheless set the stage for future stories. Congratulations to the NYT for printing a hit-piece with no facts, sources, or truth.
More recently, the LA Times is withholding a tape that could be very damaging to Sen. Obama. Somehow they found “ethics” now but had no issue releasing a private tape recording two years ago that featured Gov. Schwarzenegger.
Another story that was widely reported was about the “hate speech” occurring at McCain rallies. While I do think that some of it was over the top, it’s clear that the media was selectively hyping the situation when they’re reporting events that did not actually occur. This story could make another point that there is anger on both sides, though it’s much more pronounced on the left.
More news stories: A business rewarding Obama supporters that steal McCain yard signs. “Installation art” that portrays Palin being hanged, McCain being burned.
Actually, most of the viciousness in this campaign seems directed toward Gov. Palin. While the press has no problem printing negative McCain stories, it’s Palin that really attracts the hate. I actually don’t know the specific reason… perhaps some of it has to do with the only woman on the ticket being a republican and not a Clinton, but there seems to be much more to it than that. Regardless, it’s a topic for another time. There are so many stories with her, I’ll just briefly list the recent highlights:
- NYT front-page article regarding her wardrobe, glossing over the fact it’s not hers and that it will be donated. Of course there has been no criticism of Obama’s pricey custom-tailored wardrobe.
- False charges in the media that Palin attempted to ban books, among other false charges.
- Frequently called “Anti-Woman” among other things.
- The Palin family has been accused of some of the worst things imaginable. Todd Palin, her husband was actually accused of incest.
- Sarah Palin herself was accused of having an affair. Again, no facts and the story was disproven later.
- There was a conspiracy theory floating around that Palin’s son, Trig, was actually her grandson. Unbelievable.
- The chair of the South Carolina democratic party commented that it seems Gov. Palin’s primary qualification was that she did not have an abortion.
- Comparisons on the House floor of Palin to Pontius Pilate (and Obama to Jesus)
- General and typical Palin-hate on the web.
Finally, for the first time that I can remember, we have regular citizens being scrutinized/punished for simply asking questions. The now-famous “Joe the Plumber” was openly mocked by Obama himself (to the pleasure of his audience) and also investigated by someone in the government. The Orlando television anchor Barbara West was attacked by the Obama campaign after her questions to Sen. Biden. Now her family is under attack by the left.
My point is simply this: While there was anger and malice 2004, my feeling is that it was generally isolated to college campuses and lesser-known individuals. This year we see national politicians engaging in this behavior. Most of the media will not report objective news. The politics of personal destruction are now the norm. Questioning the system can jeopardize your future. The scale of the malice is simply larger and more widespread. In my view, this is a very dangerous and slippery slope we’re already fast sliding down.
One thing is certain. Regardless who wins this election, we will not easily be a unified country.
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