But the news industry is almost hopelessly left-wing. In any subject that the media feels is important to them, the bias will shine through, with rare exceptions of real reporting rather than opinion pieces emerging from the cloud.
Adding to my mistrust is the failure of the media as a whole--after eight years of war--to learn anything about military history or the military itself. How is that possible for a "profession" that wouldn't cover an Oscars night without understanding Hollywood, fashion, and film?
Two stories fairly recently highlighted the bias of our media. Surely you remember the "jobless recovery" under President George W. Bush and the horror stories of coatless waifs in two Americas? No piece of economic news could be reported without stressing the bad parts or wondering how long the good news could last if the news couldn't be spun bad.
That was then.
Now, losing your job can be "funemployment:"
Yes, millions of Americans are distressed about being unemployed, but a few of the jobless are embracing their layoffs and buyouts as a time to enjoy life for a while before rejoining the cubicle life.
Kept afloat by savings, spouses, severance, unemployment checks and sometimes their parents, these mostly 20- and 30-somethings are traveling, volunteering, going back to school, doing home repairs and generally just chilling.
The world may call them unemployed. They prefer to see themselves as "funemployed."
It's an opportunity for some, you see!
But don't think the benefits of joblessness are confined to a lucky few! Oh no! You see, life expectency increases during economic downturns and this one should be no exception!
These same factors likely hold true during the current recession, though there are significant economic and societal differences between now and the 1930s, Tapia Granados told LiveScience.
He did note, though, that while overall population health and life expectancy may improve during down times, that might not be the case for any particular individual, especially someone who is unemployed or serious worried about getting laid off and suffering attendant stress.
The overall rise still happens, despite potential health declines in those who have lost their jobs, because the majority of the work force is still employed (or retired and receiving benefits), he explained.
Sure, these are extreme examples. But it is hard not to notice the focus on hope in today's economic news rather than looking for the bad kernels even in any good news.
The difference is in the attitudes of the reporters, who expect their man in the White House to improve the economy. They knew the last occupant was wrong on everything. So the story lines just about write themselves.
Which is why I've mistrusted the media on any subject of war over my adult lifetime. I always assume I need to interpret what the news tells me based on my own knowledge of history and the military. Which is strange for an attitude about a "profession," isn't it? I know I don't approach advice from my doctor, electrician, or plumber with the same degree of skepticism.
UPDATE: Here's a more subtle example:
Even with an economic revival, many U.S. jobs lost during the recession may be gone forever and a weak employment market could linger for years.
That could add up to a "new normal" of higher joblessness and lower standards of living for many Americans, some economists are suggesting.
See? If unemployment doesn't drop, it's nobody's fault! (Certainly not the president's fault--this time.) It's just the new normal. Who could do better?
