[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Right on Cue

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Right on Cue
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1236828814.shtml


   Another election, another President wanting to be remembered for
   improving education. Barack Obama continues the tradition, giving an
   address Tuesday night. You can find a good analysis by [1]Chad the
   Elder at Fraters Libertas. Bill Bennett, Secretary of Education under
   President Reagan spent over an hour on it the following morning on his
   radio show, including multiple segments each with Jay Greene and Rick
   Hess. Everyone was respectful and measured in their reporting and
   reactions.
   Then we have the Wednesday morning edition of the Minneapolis Star
   Tribune made to order for the occasion. "OBAMA: WE MUST CHANGE
   EDUCATION" says page one, above the fold. "The future belongs to the
   nation that best educates its citizens," said Obama, re-quoted proudly
   above the headline. Below that are two upbeat file photos, new
   students, new graduates, each with highlighted quotes from the
   President's speech. Below that a skyward-looking pose of Mr. Obama,
   presumably taken at the speech.
   Oh yes, a story, too! Scott Wilson's byline from the Washington Post
   is reasonably fair except that there was no reaction from Republicans
   or experts like Jay Greene who propose different solutions. This was a
   scheduled speech. There was time to arrange to get such reactions from
   the loyal opposition. Bill Bennett did.
   A sidebar on page A7 recounts local reaction, subtitled "Obama's
   speech broadly applauded..." Again, the article was reasonably fair,
   but again, devoid of any real criticism. Nobody wondered if Obama has
   enough credentials or experience to be making such grand proposals.
   Nobody questioned further expanding the federal role in education.
   Nobody objected to the significant spending increases President
   Obama's plan will require. Nobody challenged the timing, what with a
   major recession with huge deficits in progress, federal and state.
   In what could be the waning days of this newspaper, it's sad to see it
   again kissing the DFL Blarney Stone. Four of nine voters did not vote
   for Obama. That's a lot of market share to neglect. Are we asking so
   much? A little balance, you know, both sides of the story?

References

   1. http://www.fraterslibertas.com/2009/03/making-box-bigger.html