The Real Problem with Red America
by RonChusidThere’s been quite an uproar over Red America, including charges of plagiarism and questions of fairness. I don’t think any of these arguments are really what is making liberals upset. The real problem is the adversarial tone of Domenech’s blog.
Domenech started his blog with an attack on the left and claims, which I previously refuted, that his reviews represent the majority. Such a tone is common in the blogosphere, but is not what one would expect at a web site for a major newspaper.
Even here at The Democratic Daily, while we often get into partisan battles, I have shown respect for conservative views and have had many posts with favorable comments when I have agreed with articles from conservative publications. Neither side has a monopoly on good ideas. If I had the opportunity to blog at The Washington Post I would likely reduce partisanship further–primarily in the hopes of increasing the acceptance of my writings.
Rather than start out with an outright attack on all conservatives, I would more likely start out with a topic such as the scientific support for evolution, the ways in which the war in Iraq has undermined our national security, or needed changes in health care. While conservatives might not agree, this would not be the same as an outright attack on conservatives as being (as he called liberals) “unhinged.” If Domenech had simply argued for his viewpoint on an issue, liberals would have disagreed, but would not have felt compelled to argue so much against the existence of his blog.
UPDATE: Ben Domenech has resigned. Washington Post.com is investigating charges of plagiarism in order to maintain their journalistic integrity. Should they decide to hire another conservative blogger, or blogger of any viewpoint, I hope they also consider the type of blog Domenech decided to write and question if this is also consistent with the standards of a major newspaper. While the web site is actually a different entity from the newspaper, there is no doubt that what is posted at the site reflects upon the entire newspaper.
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What do you find wrong with partisanship.
I do not find much wrong in partisanship in the pursuit of stopping business and religious abuse enabling that the Republican Party does.
If people call me partisan in calling for progressive legislation including increasing the minimum wage to 10 dollars an hour, repealing the meager prescription drug discount and replacing it with a real one, or
removing the 88,000 dollar taxable income cap on FICA to fund social security better
then call me partisan.
Join the Campaign for progressive legislation.
“Because just blogging or complaining about Republicans will not get you anywhere significant.”
Browse http://www.boycott-republicans.com
The real problem with the WA Post hiring Domenech was the Post did it because it was under fire from the rightwing.
There was no “balance” to be achieved.
The Post caved into pressure, plain and simple.
Of course there was no balance (as was noted in previous post). A partisan conservative blogger does not constitute balance for a liberal columnist who follows standards of journalsim in his columns.