Op-Ed Columns

Re "How was your Fourth" (H. Brandt Ayers column, July 13):

I have been very disappointed in the broadcast news organizations for quite a long time now. They no longer report the news; they drive the news stories in a direction that actually creates the news. The anchors and hosts — or whatever badge you want to place on the talking heads these days — want to be the story, not report the story.

I am saddened that the people of this country, whether Republican, Democrat, independent or none of the above, put their trust and faith in corporate giants that are out to make noise and make money. It used to be the norm that you got news from your local or regional newspaper, drizzled with some commentary and an occasional editorial that gave an opinion that would spark genuine discussion. Today, all that news stories seem to spark is debate.

This country was founded on the simple and respectful art of compromise. Without compromise we would have never ratified our Constitution, we couldn't have settled the Civil War, we would have failed miserably during the recovery from the Great Depression. The news agencies hold blame for taking the conversations in this country and turning them into a bitter rivalry.

When I was much younger, you would never hear of local television stations attacking each other for the content that was aired. Today, Fox News attacks CNN, and vice versa, on a daily basis, one calling the other liberal and the other trying to make its rival look idiotic.

This rivalry and hatred has spread to the political sector with an even more vengeful twist. It's no longer possible to discuss the issues and come to a decision based on what's good for the American people. Instead, the opposition is demonized with a mean spirit and cold heart.

My views lean liberal, my heart holds patriotism very sacred, and my mouth tries to stay shut because I don't want to spark a fight.

President Bush has damaged our reputation in the world with the policies that he has enacted and wars that we are fighting; the president is not fighting this war, our young men and women are. But I honestly believe his intentions were good. I feel the president had the best interests of the country in mind when he began these battles, but I also believe he has lost his way.

Why? He has no ability to communicate or compromise with Congress. Congress is as much to blame because it also refuses to reach out and truly work with the White House to resolve some of the major issues this country is facing.

Broadcast news organizations should beware: The public is becoming battle-weary from the vehement attacks on each other and the radicals on the left or right. The public is beginning to take notice that they are creating the news and, in many cases, are becoming the story.

I am an independent thinker, able to form an opinion without commentary; just the facts, ma'am. Forming opinions leads to ideas, ideas lead to conversations, conversations lead to compromise, and compromise leads to a greater nation than we had yesterday.

Dan Lewis lives in Oxford.