Yes, the title is an antagonistic teaser… and it probably has been the main reason for people to pan this book without even reading a single page. This is a sad fact, because Bernard Goldberg is relevant, honest and is skilled at writing in a common-sense manner that most everyone can appreciate … whether you agree with his position or not. Golberg also provides plenty of legitimate sources to back claims and maintains a level-headed approach to his opinions. This is the manner Golberg has written in all of his previous works … “A Slobbering Love Affair … ” is no exception.

What first must be pointed out is that this book is not an anti-Obama book … and you’d have to read more than the title to figure that out. The book is about Goldberg’s disgust in how mainstream media outlets have all but abandoned their principles of integrity and neutrality when presenting information to the public. Goldberg feels that the coverage of the past presidential campaign resulted in the media making “Faustian-like” deal in favorable coverage for Obama that may be disastrous for the media (and us) down the road.

“A Slobbering Love Affair …” isn’t groundbreaking and it isn’t an expose … it is simply a gathering of evidence that supports Goldberg’s belief that the media has sacrificed its integrity for the gain of power. The power gained is the ability to get the American public to vote for “their” candidate by ignoring or downplaying (relevant) issues (Reverend Wright/William Ayers), displaying unabashed adulation toward their candidate and making ridiculous proclamations all along the way (“the most intelligent man ever elected” and the comparison to Lincoln … even before being inaugurated). On the other hand, the media displayed no shame in displaying its effort to destroy the “opposition” (McCain) with an overwhelming majority of negative coverage, play-ground level name-calling (“ogre” and “troll”) and even the fabrication of harmful stories (McCain/lobbyist affair). Goldberg leaves no stone unturned in the quest to document his position … in fact, most all of the sources are readily available on the internet and archived eternally on YouTube.

Where the book becomes relevant is when Golberg thoughtfully asks himself of the consequences associated with such media power. In other words, they’ve sold their soul by pledging their allegiance to a virtually unknown man, got him elected to the most powerful position they could and now must stick with him, regardless of where he takes the nation (good or bad). What if he doesn’t live up to the grand hype and the country sinks into despair or unrest? How will that be reported … or, more importantly, will it be reported? The bottom line is what price will be paid for the power the media has gained? I think these are fair questions to ask … and Goldberg, being a former CBS man (and democrat as well) is in the perfect position to ask these salient questions.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
About these ads