[NYTr] Media Coverage is a Joke; not Dennis Kucinich

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by econdemocracy - activ-l

National Ledger - Nov 12, 2007
http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272617183.shtml

Dennis Kucinich is Not a Joke

By Mary Shaw

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is once again running for president. But
you wouldn't know it from the mainstream media, which have been
spending all their time focusing on Clinton, Obama, and sometimes
Edwards. It seems like the only time we hear about Dennis Kucinich is
when the talking heads make fun of him. They ridicule Kucinich's short
physical stature and his elfin appearance, and they make creepy
comments about Kucinich's gorgeous young wife.

First of all, this is supposed to be an election, not a beauty
contest. Kucinich may not have Obama's height or Edwards' good
looks. But what he does have are ideas that are often much more in
line with what the American people really want. But, for some reason,
we can't get past the jokes and get down to the issues.

Unfortunately, the ridicule took on a new dimension when Kucinich
admitted, during a recent debate, that he had seen a UFO -- an
unidentified flying object. From the reactions I've seen, you'd think
he had admitted to seeing little green men inside that UFO.

Yes, that's a little weird, but did that question even really belong
in the debate?

Is it any weirder than the fact that former presidents Jimmy Carter
and Ronald Reagan had also seen UFOs?

Is it any weirder than the fact that Ronald and Nancy Reagan consulted
an astrologer before making major decisions?

Is it any weirder than the fact that George W. Bush believes that God
speaks through him?

[Actually it isn't anything weird at all since he only saw an
UNIDENTIFIED flying object -- could be classified military or could be
some beautiful comet debris etc..it would only be "As weird" as the
astrologers with the Reagans if he said he saw little green men
etc...BIG difference between that and "unidentified flying object"
which in her biased account Shirley M turned into what she indirectly
insinuated it was something she fantasizes about --alien life etc]

No, what's weird is that the issues are being ignored in favor of
schoolyard-style ridicule. If the pundits and the Congress could get
past the nonsense and focus on the issues, Dennis Kucinich might have
a chance to bring about some of the change that the American people
have been more and more impatiently waiting for.

Like bringing our troops home from Iraq.

Like holding the Vice President accountable for his manipulation of
the intelligence process to deceive Americans in the run-up to the war
in Iraq, and for threatening aggression against Iran absent any threat
to the U.S.

Like keeping jobs here in the U.S.  Like protecting consumers.  Like
promoting the development of clean, safe, renewable energy sources.

Like taking care of our sick.  And like enforcing our country's ideal
that all persons are created equal.  But those things are hard
work. It's much easier to just sit back, collect money from the
special interests, and ridicule Dennis Kucinich.

Because he's short.  Because he's not so telegenic.  Because he's
married to a beautiful redhead.  And because he speaks for those of us
who have a heart.

[Mary Shaw is a Philadelphia-based writer and activist.]

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