Shot in The Dark

Over the past 2 months I've had a little bit of time on my hand. I had a minor back surgery which has kept me sidelined from the sheer invigoration of my job in the insurance industry. Ever since I was a kid I've had a general fascination with world events, both present and historical.

I've always wanted a form to express my viewpoint, and to engage in conversation with others. Well after lying on the floor watching every political show on planet earth for a few months, I've realized something. Many of these experts are just wrong, and further they are motivated more by hyping up a particular story, than helping the listner learn about the issues.

My diet of TV news included, Chris Matthews, Keith Oberman (the only one worth a dime), Wolf Blizter, Sean Hannity, Bill O'reily, Jim Leher, and Tim Russert.

The great majority of on air perspectives really seek the entertainment angle first. These networks are under pressure to draw viewers, and sell ad space. This pressure causes our media to put an emphasis on the entertainment value of important political and social issues, therefore eliminating the possiblity that proper time is allocated sifting through what are very complex issues.

In the end we end up making our judgements on inaccurate information - keeping the electorate uninformed, and unmotivated to seek improvement where improvement is needed.

Is blogging our only cure? Is their any productive value to this method of communication?
How can we improve our access to succint accurate information on social, economic, and historical issues?

There has to be an answer or opinion somewhere.