State of the Union address

[smittenbyu]

I wonder how many watch the whole SOTU address in its entirety and how many see it through the lens of media analysists - CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc.? I have watched President Bush's last one (my first time since I arrived in 2007), and everyone since then. I missed watching it live twice, but have read the transcript or watched it later. As I am doing now. And until I watch, I don't read any of the stuff, usually on NPR. I always remember Mr. P from my history class's voice urging us to "watch for yourself, judge for yourself, think for yourself, no one can take that away from you, unless you let them."

It goes with any speeches really, even when the RNC and DNC hold their events, I watch C-SPAN. Hubby loves switching from CNN & Fox News. All I hear is shouting and yelling and no one actually sharing the original source. But I also get that not everyone has time to sit and analyse. I feel they have abused the responsibility placed on them. Fox New is entertainment and no further comment from me on them and CNN has stumbled a few too many times in my book to watch.

I don't know the point of this post. I guess I did take a glimpse of CNN this morning when N turned it on. And I am just ranting/rambling. 

Comments

[tediousandbrief.livejournal.com]

I watch it on MSNBC and honestly they just show the actual speech and then digest it afterwords (including having guests come on who saw the speech live to talk about what may or may not pass).

[smittenbyu]

N reminded me it was during the RNC & DNC, conventions. The media corps would pick the candidates they like and then the parts they'd like us to hear/watch. You couldn't hear just the speeches and what the candidates had to say! N & I really followed 2008 elections. It was his first time following US politics and me too, really. So, we ended up on C-Span! :)

And I find myself at NPR & New York Times for reading and PBS for watching news. I don't like the 24 hour cycles. i think it pressures them to stretch and juice up their shows.

I think it's also my personality. All that flashy tech and all the yelling, it's like my daughter's behavior through the day. I need some peace and quiet, someone to talk in a normal voice like an adult, not shouting and yelling their opinions! :P

[musicpsych.livejournal.com]

I watched the whole thing. I don't get cable, though, so my options are more limited. I typically go with PBS, since they seem to do the best job with reporting, in my opinion.

[smittenbyu]

I find myself watching PBS more and more this past year. Maybe it fits my personality, no special effects craze, shouting/raised voices, just talk and presenting. I get enough yelling and screaming from my 4.5yo. Appreciating the calm and the quiet! :)