Blog #62 – Good Night and Good Luck
Choose three statements – one from each speech – and discuss how each statement can be applied to our world and political or social situations today.
” No one familiar with the history of this country can deny that congressional committees are useful. It is necessary to investigate before legislating, but the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly. His primary achievement has been in confusing the public mind, as between the internal and the external threats of Communism. We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men. Not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were for the moment unpopular. 
This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy’s methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result. There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully. Cassius was right. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Good night, and good luck.”
– See it Now broadcast, March 9 1954
If we confuse dissent with disloyalty — if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox — if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
– Ford Fiftieth Anniversary Show, CBS and NBC, June 1953
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.
Our history will be what we make it. And if there are any historians about fifty or a hundred years from now, and there should be preserved the kinescopes for one week of all three networks, they will there find recorded in black and white, or color, evidence of decadence, escapism and insulation from the realities of the world in which we live. I invite your attention to the television schedules of all networks between the hours of 8 and 11 p.m., Eastern Time. Here you will find only fleeting and spasmodic reference to the fact that this nation is in mortal danger. There are, it is true, occasional informative programs presented in that intellectual ghetto on Sunday afternoons. But during the daily peak viewing periods, television in the main insulates us from the realities of the world in which we live. If this state of affairs continues, we may alter an advertising slogan to read: LOOK NOW, PAY LATER.
For surely we shall pay for using this most powerful instrument of communication to insulate the citizenry from the hard and demanding realities which must be faced if we are to survive. I mean the word survive literally. If there were to be a competition in indifference, or perhaps in insulation from reality, then Nero and his fiddle, Chamberlain and his umbrella, could not find a place on an early afternoon sustaining show. If Hollywood were to run out of Indians, the program schedules would be mangled beyond all recognition. Then some courageous soul with a small budget might be able to do a documentary telling what, in fact, we have done–and are still doing–to the Indians in this country. But that would be unpleasant. And we must at all costs shield the sensitive citizens from anything that is unpleasant.
I am entirely persuaded that the American public is more reasonable, restrained and more mature than most of our industry’s program planners believe. Their fear of controversy is not warranted by the evidence. I have reason to know, as do many of you, that when the evidence on a controversial subject is fairly and calmly presented, the public recognizes it for what it is–an effort to illuminate rather than to agitate.
I do not advocate that we turn television into a 27-inch wailing wall, where longhairs constantly moan about the state of our culture and our defense. But I would just like to see it reflect occasionally the hard, unyielding realities of the world in which we live. I would like to see it done inside the existing framework, and I would like to see the doing of it redound to the credit of those who finance and program it. Measure the results by Nielsen, Trendex or Silex-it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to try. The responsibility can be easily placed, in spite of all the mouthings about giving the public what it wants. It rests on big business, and on big television, and it rests at the top. Responsibility is not something that can be assigned or delegated. And it promises its own reward: good business and good television.
To those who say people wouldn’t look; they wouldn’t be interested; they’re too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter’s opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost.
This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.
Speech at Radio-Television News Directors Association, Chicago, October 15, 1958.
Minimum word count after picking a quote from all three speeches and then analyzing them is at least 300 words. There should be plenty to talk about b/c even though Murrow said these words over 50 years ago, they still ring true.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.” This statement holds true very much in today’s society in relation to violence and the process in which suspects are being convicted. If there is not enough evidence to prove someone guilty of doing something then they are still considered innocent. That is where the phrase innocent until proven guilty comes in. Even in shows such as Cops, there is a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode that states, “…all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.” I think the statement that accusation is not proof also holds true in the way that people assume everything they hear is true. I believe this is most relevant in schools, as well as some news shows that will speak about rumors without solid evidence of truth.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.” Although this country was brought up on the basis of freedom and justice, there were many aspects of life that did not give this freedom. Two major examples in our past would be that of slavery of the African Americans, as well as the issue of women’s rights. A major milestone had passed when Abraham Lincoln had passed the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery. Although this happened, there were many restrictions to the African Americans that limited their freedoms. This included the black codes, as well as not having many of the same rights as white men did during this time. The thing I can relate this topic to most in today’s society would gay marriage in America. Although some states allow this, many have banned gay marriage. It is also relevant in the way that many women are treated inferior to men in other countries.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.” I think this is true in how most people are content with how television is mostly used to show reality shows, or news that does not emphasize on the important and merely talked about events in our world that we do not hear about as a result of watching television. I think this statement is also true in how shows and commercials show the ideal people of a certain demographic, and this gives people the idea that they need to look or act a certain way, which depletes individuality.
“The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have cause alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it- and rather successfully. Cassius was right. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but ourselves. “Good night, and good luck.””
I think that quote shows how people exploit fear and situations to their advantage. Murrow talks about how Joseph McCarthy did not create communism but bended it to his will to get re-elected. In my opinion this is similar to what Politician do everyday. People that platform for these problems did not create and had no concern for them until it benefited them. But they strategically attack or build them up for their benefit. These people work as figureheads, to look like the leader of a cause that has not front-runner. He ends the quote by quoting Shakespeare. This ending of the quote states that the problems in the world can be solved but some people choose to exploit them for their own personal gain. Such as today Dirty Politicians, Dictators, and drug lords.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us… confidence mane and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
I think at the time that this speech was made it referred to the oppression of many religions and the disgust of many races in the communist society. Today I think we could relate it to gay rights in our own society. In today’s society there is no rational reason for Gay rights to be illegal. You could argue that two friends could get “married” for financial purposes but also couldn’t friends of the opposite sex do the same? Conservatives stuck in their old ways don’t realize how they are hurting the American society. If we can band together and bring happiness to all Americans we will be able to prove the constitution correct but with the denial of gay rights we are standing against everything the constitution stands for.
“There are, it is true, occasional informative programs presented in that intellectual ghetto on Sunday afternoons. But during the daily peak viewing periods, television in the main insulates us from the realities of the world in which we live. If this sate of affairs continues, we may alter an advertising slogan to read: LOOK NOW, PAY LATER.”
I think this out of all the quotes rings the truest today. T.V can be a wonderful informative thing that could in theory make us freakin’ geniuses. But most people (including myself) choose to watch the more fun and silly shoes because it insulates us from real life problems. Although there are newscasts and informational shows they are rarely watched by my generation. This needs to change now. With T.V being my generation’s main access to information we need to acquire knowledge not insulation.
“It is necessary to investigate before legislating, but the line between investigating and persecuting is a very fine one and the junior Senator from Wisconsin has stepped over it repeatedly.”
This quote, at least the first part, applies to our modern society because we have done such actions before, and it serves as good advice to how to operate and investigate properly. It is important to investigate fully before taking action because the effects and long-term outcomes tend to not be so good. Of course, we saw this with McCarthyism during the 1950’s, but we also saw some of this in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The attacks sparked a whole new idea that people cannot be trusted and we also started to racially profile people. We legislated first by instituting the Patriot act, which allowed our records to be tapped and allowed for random detainments, in which we racially profiled. We did this before even thinking of the fact that this act majorly defied some of our guaranteed constitutional rights. We also acted before investigating when we invaded Iraq. We declared war on terror and we falsely considered the consequences. We ended up not achieving much, and we lost many lives.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
This quote is relevant to us today because this is exactly what many people abroad have thought about us throughout our history, and what many still think about us today. Ever since the early 1900’s, we have been seen as a hypocritical nation, and that hasn’t really changed to this day. Many foreign people, especially those in the Middle East, don’t see the US as a peaceful, democratic nation, but rather a bringer of destruction. With our constant drone strikes and periodic accidental killing of civilians, those in that region don’t see as diplomatic, but rather as tyrants.
“But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.”
This quote is very accurate and reflects how our mass media and television is not being used to update and educate, but rather to saturate and entertain. Today’s television is very materialistic, and shows people what they will enjoy, but not what they need to hear. Very few T.V. shows still educate people on current issues, but most of TV is simply there to keep people occupied. For example, on a specific night, a story on the news about something overseas will probably get similar or less time then a selfie taken by famous people. Yes, our situation is that dire. I’m not saying entertaining T.V. shows should be rid of, but relevant news should be stressed as much.
“We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men.” This quote can be related to the issue of terrorist paranoia. The fear that swept the country in the wake of September 11, 2001 effectively took over the minds of many people. This resulted in a wave of paranoia-induced consequences such as increased security in public places and in some places unnecessary distrust of one another. These fears also presented themselves in the early 1950’s, except fear was directed at communism, not terrorism, and McCarthy capitalized on those fears.
“If we confuse dissent with disloyalty — if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox — if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.” This quote can be related to the issue of same-sex marriage. In this speech, Murrow is talking about racial inequality but the same issue applies, we brag that our people are free and equal regardless of race, gender, political views or orientation and if we don’t grant the freedoms to everyone, then American freedom can be seen as a myth and America can be seen as the world’s biggest hypocrite.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box.” This quote can relate to the use of almost every device ever made, ranging from firearms to the iPad. The devices can be used for good, or they can be used for evil or be completely useless.
From the first speech, “We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.” This has made an impact on several countries, including our own, in the past. Dissent is defined as hold or express opinions that are at variance with those previously, commonly, or officially expressed. So basically, not agreeing with the crowd, or not conforming to policies, etc. are all things that people should be able to do. They should be able to voice their opinion as they see fit, within reason of course. Thinking that a recently passed law or rule or regulation is not going to be good for the country, and you argue that it isn’t, you are not being disloyal to America as a country. You are probably trying to argue for the better of the country, if anything.
From the second speech, “Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.” This is under the same umbrella as the previous quote and examination. An American’s words should not be limited. They should be able to express their opinions on anything they want, obviously within reason. We call ourselves “The Land of the Free,” but is that really the truth? Like it’s said in the quote, our ancestors fought for our freedom to express ourselves through our voice, through the press. We should not be considered traitors or disloyal to the country for expressing concern and not conforming and agreeing with every law or regulation passed by Congress.
From the final speech, “We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information.” This rings very true in news media nowadays. Usually, newspaper or TV show headlines will be covered in a new celebrity being pregnant. Who’s the dad? Find out inside! Also, when a violent outbreak occurs, it is usually not as heavily covered in the news. Take, for example, the stabbing that just happened in Philadelphia. Some people might not even know about it. I haven’t seen a thing about it on the news since about two hours after it happened. We move on so easily from that kind of stuff, and it’s not nearly as important as if Kim Kardashian’s butt is fake or not.
“We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies.”
This quote has much relevance today. In order to truly defend freedom as we say we do, and we should (that is another debate for another time), we must act virtuously and honestly at home. America needs to remain and reinstate its status of a paragon of freedom and justice. Illegal, unconstitutional, and scandalous dealings at home and abroad destroy that reputation and take away the best quality that America has. In order to truly be the country that we were meant to be is to deal honestly and justly in all dealings, home and abroad.
“If we confuse dissent with disloyalty — if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox — if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
This one kind of ties in with the last, but draws out another point. Millions of people will soon bring their countries out of their developing stage and look to form a well-organized government. As is most commonly the case, they will look to current World powers to influence their decisions. If they see that the “land of the free” is, in fact, not free, we will most likely have lost a possible ally and democratic nation. Not only does the way our country operate influence our reputation, in can also impact the course that other nations choose.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.”
This quote has quite outlasted the period it was stated, and is even truer now. Television has almost completely ruined its potential to be a beneficial tool. We allow ourselves to be force-fed terrible news coverage, and terrible programs all over TV. Reality shows endlessly emerge and fall. News stations only give us what they know their viewers want to hear. All credibility, honor, and dignity have almost been lost. While there are good shows and programs out there, they are far outnumbered by junk-food of the mind. We don’t receive quality information because syndicates know we are comfortable. We don’t become upset when we find that a reality show is still on the air, or a news station reports on repetitive stories, and stations know that. Visual media has become a land of complacency, and because of that, we are a terribly insensitive, unresponsive, unprovoked, and uninformed nation that will eventually have an effect. You can start to see it in our younger generation now, and below us. Take a gander through Twitter, Facebook, or just talk to someone, and you’ll find we know very little about current events, and know very little about important national matters. We are the people who will run the country. Unless someone starts provoking us to start using our minds, our country will run to ruin.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men.” To me, this is relevant today socially. Socially, the fear of communism that later led to false accusations, reminds me of cyber injustices today. Today, with the internet, anyone can post anything. People search the web for everything and believe what each site says at face value. If things are put on the internet about someone, no matter how far out it is, half the people that read it will believe it and even if it’s complete hearsay, it could ruin that person’s reputation and social standing. This is exactly what was happening to those being accused of being communists in the setting of “Good Night and Good Luck”. Without any evidence or proof, sometimes without even a trial these so called “communists” were sentenced to crimes that they did not commit. This was during the Cold War which was the “fight against communism”. That is how we sold Americans on getting into another war right after World War II. We were “saving the world from communism” and protecting our way of life. This led to a wave of fear in Americans. Fear of communism, that it could sweep the nation like a deadly storm. Because of this, we began pointing fingers at one another. We accused innocent people with made up evidence. Those who fought communism on the home front, like Senator McCarthy became very popular, spewing lies about civilians and servicemen alike. “Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.” This is definitely true, not only here in the U.S. but in every country that says that it stands for freedom. This country was built on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. If we allow people to be persecuted, falsely accused, and stripped of their rights here then how to we expect to positively influence other countries? We’ve worked hard to gain the international influence that we have today and other countries are constantly watching us. We cannot say that we stand for freedom yet not even let people get due process. This still holds true for back then. We said that we were away fighting communism but at home we were being Nazis! We falsely accused innocent people, dismantling their homes and business and families. We singled out individual groups of people because of their race, backgrounds, or connections with another specific group of people. This quote is right because these actions could easily make people lose faith in us. People will begin to doubt the ability of Americans to keep their word and band together in high pressure or frightening situations. “We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.” Of the three, this quote is relevant to today’s America most. Today, with reality television, and media people don’t really watch the news anymore. Rarely, do people read at all, let alone a newspaper. Today’s technology is so advanced and we have so many simpler ways to connect with the world around us and to stay up to date with current events but as the passage says, tv today has made up complacent. We stay isolated in our little shells and fill our minds with garbage. In the time that the quote was said, tv was just becoming a popular part of American life but those who were wise already saw the dangers of what it could become. It has morphed into just what the early tv tycoons thought it would, mere entertainment. Instead of shedding light on the world around us tv blocks us from having to deal with real world problems. We use it solely for the purpose of entertainment.
As true as it was when first said, the quote “we can deny our heritage and history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result” still proves true today. Today, many Americans try to deny, escape or disremember what has happened and what acts they and their ancestors have done in the building of this country. For example, the taking of the Native Americans land and essentially everything else they ever owned or were. Although we foolishly like to think we’ve made up for this, we haven’t and most definitely never will. How do you pay for the destruction of 90-95% of a gene pool? How do you reimburse for the systematic destruction of culture and language and traditions they have endured from and because of Americans? We think “casinos are enough” and that getting free college and other things such as that will repay. However, we still ignore the fact that the Native American population also has a higher percentage of people who suffer from alcoholism, suicide, and poverty than most, if not all, other ethnicities in America. And where do we think this stems from? If you don’t think our ancestors and their actions, you are most certainly wrong. Amongst others races, like African Americans, Native Americans reap the repercussions of what Americas earlier residents have done. And although we can deny until the end of time what has happened in our history and continually make excuses for why it happened and how we have made up for it, we cannot ignore what the horrid outcomes were and need to take responsibility for the results before they progressively get worse. Like, if we don’t handle controversial problems and continue to deny them their rights to certain things, in 100 or so years our descendants will be looking back and thinking the same in relation to the first quote. Therefore, the quote “if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric, or unorthodox…[it] cost us the…confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for what our ancestors fought” still applies today. For example, the controversial debate over gays. If we continue to allow gays to be oppressed by part of our population, we will see certain patterns begin to repeat themselves. We’ll look back at this time in the future, and realise we were wrong and homosexuals are reaping the repercussions. Even if we think the individual and their doings are wrong, we still need to allow them to exercise their rights.
“Our history will be what we make it”. This proves true no matter what year, era or time we are in. Our actions now will decided our near, far and centuries from now future. When looking backs, our descendants will see what history we have made. We make history every day and are completely unaware – new found technology, like smart phones, evolution of cars to more fuel efficient one, and how we are treating our population. These three quotes are closely related, and show that overall, history is important. What we do and our every action are important.
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.”
When this is said in the See It Now broadcast, they are talking about how charging someone with communism should not be because they disagree with something you say. The broadcasters are trying to say that accusing and charging someone with communism should be based on fact and proof and evidence. This statement is very important in social situations today because people are very sensitive. Teenagers especially have an issue with this. When someone disagrees or gives a rebuttal to your opinion, there are a lot of people that would be offended and take it very personally but disagreeing is not the same thing disliking someone just like disagreeing is not the same thing as communism. Also in politics, people disagree all the time on everything but they are not disloyal to one another, most people have their opinions on what is best for the country; they aren’t disloyal.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
This quote has been true all throughout American history; people fighting for their rights will be an occurrence forever not just in America but all throughout the world. Native Americans, minority races, women, immigrants have all fought long and hard for their independence and rightly so as it says in our Declaration of Independence all men are created equal. This quote rings true today with gays and lesbians fighting for their right to marry. Laws against these people are keeping them from their freedoms that every man and woman deserves. By doing so, the government, as CBS and NBC says, is taking away their confidence in their freedom and their independence.
“For surely we shall pay for using this most powerful instrument of communication to insulate the citizenry from the hard and demanding realities which must be faced if we are to survive.”
This is true today because people are glued to their TVs whether they are watch something that will kill brain cells or one of the last educational programs that can be found on television. Everyone is so wrapped up in shows or pop culture on TV that everyone is overlooking the real issues in the world, wars in foreign countries, issues with politics right here in America, issues with the government’s foreign policy etc. This speech at Radio-Television News Directors Association was correct when they say that we will pay for using this instrument in the wrong way. The television is an extremely powerful instrument of communication that people take for granted.
“We will not walk in fear, one of another.” Today in the 21st century the feeling or fear and hate crimes should not be a feeling that is well known or known at all, but it is. Just this pass Sunday April 13, 2014 a gunman shot and killed 3 people on a Jewish Community property in Overland Kansas. A place that is known for being safe an environment for teens and adult to go and hangout, became a place of fear. Students and families inside the building were put on lockdown for 2 and half hours until the police announced the campus safe. The accused gunman happened to be the founder of the Carolina Knights of the KKK and served as the grand dragon. The accused gunman Cross also known as Frasier Glenn Miller ran for US Senate in 2006 and US house in 2010 and both times used a white-power platform, and in one speech in 2010 picking out Jews and saying “We’ve sat back and allowed the Jews to take over our banks our governments and our media” according to ABC news. Not only that, as he was being taking away he was shouting Neo- Nazi comments. All that evidence and more have led police official to believing it was a hate crime. The Holocaust ended about 70 years ago. I think its time that we learn how to live with other religions peacefully to accept each other differences and move on. America was home to millions religious refuges throughout the years and one of the reasons why America had settlers was because of pilgrims and puritans coming over to America for freedom of religion, so they didn’t have to live in fear of persecution in the motherland. We don’t just see hate crimes against Jews America as a country lives in fear or terrorist that we associate with Muslims and Arabs. Americans should not live in fear of hate crimes or racial discrimination we need to find away to become comfortable with what in the world in going on and move on.
“If we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox” For me, the best way I learn is to try and get something wrong so, I know in the future what is right. But today if something goes wrong or is wrong it could be “the end of your life” although it may not be a life or death situation. I see this everyday in high school with getting something wrong in class or getting a bad grade, doing bad on a test or getting something wrong has in our teenage mind a mental domino affect on our life because “if I get a C in a class that means my GPA drops which means I won’t be able to get into college which means I wont be able to get my dream job which means I will live on the streets”. I personally see a large gap between getting something wrong you’re your life being over, but I believe it is often neglected in our society. Getting something wrong is not the end of the world and many times leads to new discoveries. In experiments and in the process of elimination if you don’t do something wrong how can figure out what’s right? It also goes with the unorthodox or the unpopular because without the unorthodox how do you know what orthodox is, without the unpopular how do you know popular. You need both to know both, which is why we need an open mind to opinions and life and decisions.
“But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late” It is starting to be too late. We see it everyday on the News channels. The New channels get paid to show viewers what the government wants. On more then one occasion the news quickly glide over a story and show pictures or talk about the topics approved separating us from any gory details. Anything the government doesn’t want us to know is censored for TV. I think it is ironic that he uses “fat surpluses” in his speech because since the 1950s when the speech was given, obesity rose 214% according to livestrong.com. But besides that we let TV dictate how we feel, how we dress and how we act. We get reality and soap opera TV stars these days doing whacky stuff that tells easy to influence growing minds that getting pregnant at 16 is okay, smoking pot in high school is okay, doing illegal actions are okay because you wont get caught. I believe that Americans today live in this made up world dictated by what we see on TV. IPhones became popular because all the movie stars had them; clothing styles become desirable because Blair wore it on Gossip Girl. Conversations are being taken over by “Can you believe this happened last night on The Bachelor!?”, Instead of talking about how to fix problems and come up with new ideas. TV has become a distraction to the outside world moving everyone attentions to “wires and lights in a box”.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.”
This can be applied to today and our current social situation. With all the violence and crime that goes on in today’s culture it’s hard not to bring up the current fear that has been place upon society by the constant media exposure. We can always turn on the local news and see the recent kidnappings, murder, and other ruthless crimes, we can get up to date notifications on the case and how fare along it is. This puts fear in public by constantly seeing what “crazy’s” are capable of causing people to be pressured into “telling” and pointing fingers with no type of proof or evidence. This can also be related to the statement “innocent until proven guilty”. My quote basically describes this statement before it was popular.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable, and complacent. We currently have a built in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information”
This quote really stuck out to me because I feel that in basically describes America, and the American way of life like it is today. To other countries America is known as the “fat” country, as should we being at the highest obesity rate in the world. However I don’t think that in this speech the author was talking about weight then that said this, I think they were talking about money and how we as a country are so fat with greed and a need to have more and us being so comfortable being greedy and taking. The allergy to unpleasant of disturbing information describes our ability to lie and make taking right and okay in our minds and shielding it from the public.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the… confidence of men and women who aspire to that.”
I feel like this speaks directly to gay right and marriage equally. This relates to the questionability to the patriotism of those gays in the country. When we limit gay people of the right to be happy it cause them to rethink why they celebrate and are confident in a country that doesn’t allow them to be happy, and do what they please.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine; and remember that we are not descended from fearful men.” When Trayvon Martin was shot by George Zimmerman, the world immediately raced to convict. Cries of racial injustice and bigotry surfaced immediately and Mr. Zimmerman was practically convicted before he was even tried by a jury of his peers. After several weeks of trial, he was found innocent much to the dismay of the many people, both white and black who watched the trial and had already come to their own conclusions without hearing the evidence. That is why we are innocent until proven guilty. I do not know if I agree with the verdict but again, I did not listen to all the evidence or did I sit in the seats of the jurors. That is why our forefathers provided for jurors and courts – so that people are not accused and judged merely out of fear and hate but can have their day in court.
“There is no way for a citizen of a republic to abdicate his responsibilities. As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.” When the towers fell on 9/11, I was only two years old. But many people who were older than me felt obligated to do something. Pat Tillman, an NFL football player, left his high paying professional job to join the armed forces to defend this nation against terrorism and to protect its freedom. He was killed doing this. His story was repeated time and time again. Many people felt a need to do something in that terrible time. I do not know what I would have done had I been old enough to help. Would I have had the courage to join others in the armed forces or by joining other groups devoted to protecting the ideals of this country or would I have turned my head and ignored this attack on our freedom? I would hope I would have had the character to do something to protect the freedoms that our nation had fought so hard for and not fall to the forces of evil that attacked this great nation. These actions of Americans standing up to the tyranny and oppressions of outside forces have been repeated throughout the relatively short time our nation has been around from the revolutionaries in 1776 to the civil war heroes to the men and women after Pearl Harbor. The words in this speech are a call to action written in a time of turmoil and while maybe not directed to those listening in this fashion, strikes a chord even today for those who wish to protect America and its right to live free.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” In this last part of Murrows speech, I think he is trying to tell the listeners what a powerful tool that television can be. What would he think of television now? Some of the programming on television, in fact most of it, has no real worth other than to entertain the masses. Sure there are many television shows which purport to be “news” and “information” but even those have an element of “show business” in them. I remember my dad would sit and watch Fox News. He would get so worked up listening to these reporters and analysts talk about news. Is that what the first newsmen wanted? I don’t know. I think they wanted to have the ability to convey information not opinion. Leave the opinion making to the people. I think most of television is a bunch of crap…yes, I do watch my fair share of it and quite honestly laugh at some of the most ridiculous things that are put out there. I don’t think Mr. Murrow would approve of most of the cable shows be it “Dance Moms” or “Keeping up with the Kardashians” or the “Fox News with Shepherd Smith” for that matter. Television is very powerful. It can shape people’s views in an instant and can be directed toward liberal or conservative views. It is a heavy responsibility to be a news person or a television executive. People must be leery of what they watch on television and take what they see with a grain of salt. I think Mr. Murrow would caution people today to watch carefully and make decisions as to what programming they watch or let their children watch. That being said, I will still watch my silly shows and crack a smile at something someone says on some dumb show – which according to my mother are most of the things I watch. But I will try to watch other shows with the view that Mr. Murrow had wanted knowing that this is a very important tool not to be taken lightly.
” No one familiar with the history… Good night, and good luck.”
I think Edward R. Murrow really nailed this broadcast. He has a captivating tone in all his speeches that really give him a sense of sincerity and non-bias. In each of these quotations, I am compelled as a listener/reader to really contemplate the things that he is saying. This must come from his experience as a broadcaster. His word choice is very careful so as to ensure an egalitarian tone. He also consistently presents triplets of complex adjectives to capture a condition – whether it be that of the American television viewing public, of Joseph McCarthy’s wrongdoings or that of the abilities of the television itself. Not only do I think his style of speech is amazing, I also found the content to be timelessly impressive. I agree that there is never a time for the minority (at least in terms of power) to remain silent. He adds that we can deny our history and heritage, but not the responsibility for the result. In essence, we’re the way are for a reason, and much of what America is (and was then) comes from people speaking out against what they thought was wrong. If the early American revolutionists had remained silent, who’s to say where we’d be now? If the blacks had stayed silent in the years after this broadcast, what of their fate? I love the way he adds the supporters of McCarthy to keep even-handed. It is just as important for the opposing side to voice their opinion as well. This is how a true democracy must function. The way his argument applies to every side brings it just that much more strength. I believe this is because he is not arguing necessarily against McCarthy, although his tone is relatively clear, what he is really arguing is an age of informational suppression, and along with it the sacrifice of the peoples’ rights. It’s just so poetic the way he does it. It’s a great speech.
The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully. Cassius was right. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” Good night, and good luck.”
I personally love this statement due to how easily manipulated people can be and how outrageous it seems. I can’t honestly give an example of a political leader of my time that manipulates to the level at which McCarthy had, but instead I can give my personal opinion on how businesses exploit media to attack and profit off other Americans. Looking back on when I was a kid, and I would see an infomercial for some new toy, or one of those commercials where they say they’ll help you out with your credit score. In truth, maybe someone would want one of these such things, but the length that these people go to exploit the consumer, even when they have nothing to lose and are indebted as it is, they sink to an all new level of low, and reap profits from those who need money to survive. The same goes for the crazy ads that appear on your screen talking about how they can give you this free health insurance, or that you won a TV, or that there’s a new trick to lose weight but you have to “click here to find out”! These scumbags attempt to profit off the flaws in people, and infect our computers with viruses and take advantage of us in any tangible way, and it absolutely terrifies me. Every time I see one of those ads I think about my 68 year old grandmother who hardly knows how to operate a computer in the first place, yet these people could easily manipulate her with something as innocent as “healthy new dieting”.
But in a twisted way, it can sometimes be our fault. We allow ourselves to want things to an unhealthy level, inducing us.
Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
Very simply, this passage states that any time somebody passes a law that constrains the principle of freedom that our very country was founded upon, it’s downright shameful as thousands had died to secure it, and then we go and exploit it like it’s not that big of a deal
This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.
The television itself can be used as a weapon of propaganda, allowing people like McCarthy to exploit and use it for selfish purposes, such as how you see the infomercials and other advertisements in modern day. But he also states that it doesn’t have to be such a vain tool and there’s actually hope for it, but when we the believe the propaganda, it’s ridiculous because it’s just a box of lights.
“As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.” This quote is referencing that we must make sure our sense of freedom is alive and well before we can spread freedom and democracy elsewhere. This applies to the modern era with all of our foreign wars in Vietnam and in the Middle East trying to spread freedom and democracy, but freedom and democracy was not alive and well during Vietnam because of segregation and the actions against the civil rights movement. This also relates to the attacks on the twin towers in September 11, 2001. After we were attacked instead of keeping our country safe we sent our troops to fight in the Middle East.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.”This quote is referencing how TV is used as a distraction from real world problems, and to hide us from things we don’t want to hear. This reflects to today because most shows are comedy and stupid distractions and even news outlets don’t report important news even if we don’t want to hear it, instead they report meaningless and “uplifting” stories when we just need to hear what is really going on in the world.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” This quote can relate to our misuse and good use of every device that has been made in the modern era. Computers, cell phones, and guns. These items can be used to help expand our intelligence and protect ourselves, and make our lives better, but they can also be used for evil and pointless use.
“As a nation we have come into our full inheritance at a tender age. We proclaim ourselves, as indeed we are, the defenders of freedom, wherever it continues to exist in the world, but we cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.” This quote is referencing that we as a nation cannot go out and fight, weather it was communism back then, or terrorism now, we cannot go out and fight these things and forget about these things on our home turf. Give the war in Iraq for example. We went in thinking terrorist had weapons of mass destruction; the nuclear bomb, but we left our own home undefended from these people. We learned this on the terrible day of 911, or September 11th, 2001. This was the day that commercial planes were high jacked and sent to destroy (by suicide) some of our nation’s most important buildings.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.” This quote relates to today in the same fact that television is not being used to its full potential. It use to be, between the eras or when this speech was made, and now, but not anymore. It use to be used to tell our history, the news gave correct and factual information. Now the history channel is filled with cop shows, nothing about history. The news channels report on “good Stories” that will give them the most ratings. Look at CNN right now. They have been reporting on this Malaysian flight non-stop for weeks now. Don’t they think there is something better that the public may need to know? Maybe like the shooting we had at fort hood in Texas, which might be something they should report more about.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.” This statement heavily relates to today. It is basically a statement that our entire judiciary branch is made off of. A person is not guilty until proven innocent. These words may even be a large reason to why we may call ourselves “free”. Many people in many other countries don’t even have the right to be proven innocent. Someone accuses them and they are just guilty, no trial, no nothing. I think this is something that we as Americans all take for granted. It is something that we should all realize and cherish.
“We will not walk in fear, one of another”. This can be applied to our world in social situations . This is applies to a political aspect as well. Social situations because it is explaining how not to let people walk over you and push you around. Also not letting other people intimidate you into not believing in what you believe in. But this is mainly saying don’t be afraid of your common peer. We are all the same people in the same community so why think different of each other because in the end we all are working for the same thing in life. To be successful and to live the, “American Dream”.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought”. This almost explains the first quote but is a little different. This one is more of political freedom because I think it is saying some of the laws and restrictions that are being made are getting out of hand and are too much. Back in this time, you were different by breaking the law, dressing “inappropriately”, or not respecting your elders. So many laws were being made it was to the point where American citizens basically had NO freedom. It also says what our ancestors fought for which was our freedom but they fought and made sacrifices for nothing if we have none.
“Our history will be what we make it”. Lastly, I think this is a great quote to end with because is shows both political and social standpoints. What i get from it is that we are still making history and we are every day. From the first black president to in the future when we find a cure for cancer. It is all up to us. It goes on to talk about how the nation was in moral danger; this was up to us to get the nation out of this danger (even though we weren’t really in any) by making compromises and decisions and most importantly, HISTORY.
In the movie Good Night, and Good Luck, the main character Ed Murrow try’s to expose senator McCarthy for all his wrong doings to people that he called Communists. From the See it Now broadcast, March 9 1954, “This is no time for men who oppose Senator McCarthy’s methods to keep silent, or for those who approve. We can deny our heritage and our history, but we cannot escape responsibility for the result.” When Ed Murrow said this I personality thought that not only is he taking to the people that oppose his accusations or approve them, but all the people such as the children of communists who might not like the idea and people who want to leave the past and try to start a new life. Especially people who’s reputation was ruined after McCarthy called them communists. From the Ford Fiftieth Anniversary Show, CBS and NBC, June 1953, “We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.” We can not just sit and not do anything about what is going on around you. You have to act even if it might not seem like the right thing to do. This quote also makes you think that you have to work for what you get and that life is what you make it. That you can not sit around while others do the work for you, while you sit and collect the money. Because change is the thing of today and a society without change is a society that will not be a lasting one because people will want different things. From the Speech at Radio-Television News Directors Association, Chicago, October 15, 1958. “This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” This quote talks about how television is just another way to distract us from the reality of what is happening around us wether it is good or bad. That we should always have some knowledge of what is happening in the world we live in.
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.”
In America today, we are lucky to live in a time of relatively free speech. We can dissent to the government, dissent to the law, and dissent just about anything, as long as it doesn’t do harm or threaten to do harm. The limits of free speech have been contested endlessly throughout history, and continue to be debated today. The mentality in the 50’s was if you aren’t for what the government is doing, then you are against it, and therefore a communist. The second part of the statement is the idea of innocent until proven guilty. Every day in courts all around America, prosecutors and defense attorneys fight for justice all around this single core principle. It is the measure that we use for sending someone to jail, it defines the job of the jury, and is always the goal of the prosecutor.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us”
America has always tried to stand as a beacon of liberty and democracy all around the world. We cannot do that if we persecute or obstruct the rights of those in our own country. The freedom of people to live as they please in this country has been threatened. After 9/11, Muslims were persecuted and labeled as terrorists, making their freedoms limited. After Pearl Harbor, Japanese were taken to internment camps, only because of their heritage. The fight for liberty did not end in 1776 with our Declaration of Independence, or when the Constitution was instated, and it did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation. The struggle to remain free is ongoing in America, but we are lucky because it is only that we have so many rights that there are so many to lose.
“Our history will be what we make it. And if there are any historians about fifty or a hundred years from now, and there should be preserved the kinescopes for one week of all three networks, they will there find recorded in black and white, or color, evidence of decadence, escapism and insulation from the realities of the world in which we live.”
Networks today do not give us the whole truth. Nor, was it ever likely that news was presented in its fullest form. Either fluff pieces to hold the interest of audiences not looking for anything serious, or they amplify fluff pieces to make even the dullest news stories seem exciting and alive. More often than not, networks are decidedly biased toward a specific political party. Every piece of information you hear from them will have been altered by some perspective, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to root out the truth.
“We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.”
This statement is not only pertinent to America or the time period. This extends to most of mankind. It is our duty to be skeptical of claims made against someone and we must uphold that anyone accused is innocent until proven equal. We have a right to be convicted by evidence and due process of law, even if this process is flawed. Sometimes guilty men walk away innocent or innocent men walk away guilty but we still must allow for proper trial and judgement for all. Whether the accused is a former convict and the accuser is the president, it is understand that in America you have as fair a trial as can be had. People like Joe McCarthy took that right away from people, as have people more recently. People who use racial profiling and discriminate against individuals for a variety of reasons, real and unreal.
“If we confuse dissent with disloyalty — if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox — if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status.”
The statement above is saying how some Americans have taken the rights of the first amendment away from other Americans and other people around the globe. The first amendment to the United States Constitution is one of the very most valuable. It is guaranteed by the government. Senator Joe McCarthy attempted to take that right from many Americans. Being a Communist is a decision. A choice in views. Whether it is correct or incorrect is not for anyone or organization to say. Since Murrow’s statements, the United States has on numerous occasions deemed another countries politics or ruling party to be incorrect. While I agree people should have their safety, that was not always the government’s chief reason in intervening. It is unlikely that we know of most, let alone every one of the governments interventions. The CIA has rigged elections, assassinated leaders and attempted to put as many pro-American governments in place worldwide. Much of the time they put the wrong people in power and would be better off if we followed the first amendment whether we are inside or outside of our borders.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends.”
This statement says how although the television can be used for good, we do not use it for good. Despite this, we have built our society so thoroughly around money that T. V. stations and networks do what they can to make the most money they can, rather than inform the public. There is a place for entertainment in T. V. but it is not the sole purpose of television. Television and mass media could be the greatest agent for positive change but instead is used to see what is the latest with Kim. Gotta keep up with the Kardashians! We would really hurt without quite as many reality shows or if the news actually reported news.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently an allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflects this. But unless we get up off our fat surpluses and recognize that television in the main is being used to distract, delude, amuse and insulate us, then television and those who finance it, those who look at it and those who work at it, may see a totally different picture too late.” This is a large quote but every point made here is extraordinarily true about how our culture works today. America, for the most part is a very easy place to live and the media does play a large role in this. America definitely knows more about what is going on outside of our township than a few decades before now but still, our knowledge is censored. We are able to live “care-free” because we are blocked out from horrifying news like a parents blocking out the truth about death from infants to keep them young and innocent and able to feel oblivious and care-free. The media has improved past the point that it was at in the 1950s and we know more about worldly news than we would have way back when. Nowadays it is quite easy to go on the internet and read about what is happening in Syria, and it is terrible, but we are still censored to information about military advances and other things that I don’t know about because how would I, its censored.
“Accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence” This quote reminds me of how people will believe just about anything that they hear, and in present day this is just as true as it was back in the 50s. People gossip, read false excerpts from new articles, and spread things before finding proof. If it starts a good conversation or if it just sounds juicy and interesting people will not think twice before passing it on. This is true both in mass media, like magazines, and in social media, like twitter. People bring drama and excitement by reading about other people’s lives, that are more interesting but they do not care if it is true or not, they just care if it will make a good story.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. There is a great and perhaps decisive battle to be fought against ignorance, intolerance and indifference. This weapon of television could be useful.” This, to me, expresses how television is very manipulative and it is easy to use it poorly and in the wrong ways. Like every superhero movie ever “With great power comes great responsibility” This is true even for television and it is also more realistic. The ways we are using television today is embarrassing: Toddlers and Tiaras and watching a family of untalented Kardashians who became famous for, well, the wrong reasons. But, also there are things that are useful on TV, and also TV show you the world, along with the internet it is impossible to experience going to China if you don’t have the money but you can easily see video of it and it paints a picture of the world in your mind. The point made still rings true that TV is manipulative and, if used the wrong way it can make people believe just about anything.
I read a few other students’ blog and the same idea often came up, that TV nowadays is crap or it’s the government lying to us and I tried to stay away from this because it’s not all crap and there are still people like 1950s CBS who are trying to open people’s eyes. I think TV, along with other media like the internet, is very useful and it can spread information. But it can just as easily spread the wrong information and I believe TV hasn’t don’t the best job doing so but it could be worse and there are still good areas of media. The main job that people who work for media is to entertain and we can all agree that, even if it is crap, even Honey Boo Boo entertains people.
“The actions of the junior Senator from Wisconsin have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies abroad, and given considerable comfort to our enemies. And whose fault is that? Not really his. He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully.” We can relate this quote to the present because it is similar to how a lot of people and politicians ecspecially use certain situations for there own personal gain. People don’t create the fear in the situation but they explot that fear to help themselves.
“Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the . . . confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.”
Individuality and freedom are supposed to be the most important things in America. Back in the 1950’s that freedom and individuality was compromised when people were investigated and prosecuted for voicig their opinions because it was somehow and a lot of the times distantly related to communism. A present day example would be gay marriage. The law and a lot of society doesn’t recognize gay marriage as legal and america is being hypocrtytical. We are the “land of the free” and everyone should be free to love who they want.
“We are currently wealthy, fat, comfortable and complacent. We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this.”
This first scentence of the quote directly relates to modern America. We obviously have an obesity and laziness problem in America. Americans like to ignore any piece of information that doesn’t sound pleasant to us. Ignoring the problem won’t help anything. Mass media should help this by making the problems be heard so they can’t be ignored by the wealthy, fat, comfortabl, and complacent people in this country.
He didn’t create this situation of fear; he merely exploited it — and rather successfully. This quote from the See it Now broadcast on March 9, 1954 can still be applied today. When I read this quote I thought about terrorism. With the 9/11 attacks and more recently the Boston Marathon bombing and what they caused. These caused fear and terror among people. Many political leaders used the attacks to bolster themselves by saying how they would work to make sure this never happened again. They point at their opponents saying it was somehow their fault. When people are scared they point at anyone. This inevitably causes good people to be shunned and unaccepted.
“if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox” This quote applies to today because so many people want to conform to what society and the media says is normal. People don’t act the way they want to because they think it is wrong or because it is not popular. People essentially deny themselves the right to be themselves. They fear being on the outside of what everyone else thinks. This fear causes people to try to be like everyone else not who they really are.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends.” Looking at this quote I am reminded of all the garbage that is on TV now. Reality television really has no value but to show people be dumb. Even the news can be un-illuminating by being super biased. There are some shows that can contribute to society but they are never as popular. People tend to like the shows where people do dumb things and feel good about themselves instead of shows they can learn stuff from.