Why the Media hates us so

Trying to explain why the mainstream media has such a pathological hatred for those of us who live in flyover country or as the president said four years ago, those people who "cling to guns or religion" is easy in some respects and yet more complicated than many would like to consider.

I was thinking about this in light of the wasted news week where everyone seemed taken up with Rush Limbaugh's intemperate remarks. Seriously, there is a continuing and growing threat in the Meddle East, gas prices have spiked, unemployment remains high, and everyone is talking about a fake press conference staged as a media event and a conservative talk show host who got suckered into using  language the Left uses all the time while telling conservatives to lighten up.

Rush has since apologized and Bill O'Reilly has proven the young lady to be a part of an organized White House plot to distract everyone from their efforts to scrap the First Amendment. Meanwhile the media ignores the White House's insulting behavior toward the Catholic Bishops and expects every lapsed Catholic to consider Nancy Pelosi to be more doctrinally proficient than the bishops themselves. Oh well perhaps we have gone down the rabbit hole. (For those unfamiliar with the phrase, it is reference to Alice in Wonderland.)

But back to my point. Most of those in the national media have adopted lifestyles that require them to operate on a certain set of "givens."  These givens do not allow for transcendent truths, much less absolute ones, and require belief that all of us are selfish and only really interested in ourselves. They believe that they are by their education and position "in the know" and smarter than the rest of us. They are especially smarter than those poor souls who actually go to church and worship "God."  They display a smug arrogance and  play on people's fears and emotions. Instead of addressing real needs and finding ways to solve these problems, the focus is on the failure of those who are suppose to help.

How much of this mentality relates to the failures in their own lives that bleed into their work, who can say. But one thing is clear. They are not really very happy. Their religion is politics - the politics of liberalism - and they have embraced that reality with a vengeance to behold. Forgoing any sense of objectivity, the talking heads have in the main become a shill for the Obama administration. I expect the constant drone to be until election time 1) how "wonderful" the economy is doing; 2) we all just didn't realize how BAD it was when Obama took over and 3) if he had not done what he did, it would be so much worse. If war does break out in the Middle East, then Israel will be blamed and that is the reason gas prices are $6.00/gal. (But at least we are not Europe). And no one will want to talk about the deficit or Obama-care, or anything that reminds us how government continues to encroach into our lives.

So get used to the attacks on religion - especially on the Catholic Church. The press will dredge up some old 20 year old scandal to try to shut the bishops up on this Religious Freedom/ First Amendment concern they have mentioned. The press will try to frame it about contraception - but everyone knows that 's a crock.  If the bishops develop a backbone, they might actually tell some politicians that their souls are in peril. Now that could be a teaching moment. Some major public prayer events would be nice. Perhaps a day of prayer where instead of going to work, we all go to church and pray of  our country. We shall see.

But in the end the best thing we all can do is turn off the television, cut the cable and meet your children, or your spouse or who ever lives with you. Call the sponsors and tell them that your dollars are not following their dollars. Add a few extra dollars to the collection plate or toward the food bank and thank God that He believes in us more than we believe in Him. We might also ask for forgiveness for our apathy and seek His will in our daily lives. Oh and for you media folks, we heartland folk call that prayer.

A Two Man Race - Santorum v. Romney

When the dust settled and the last of the pundits finished their columns and blogs this morning, it was clear that the Republican primary has been and now continues to be a two man race. Mitt Romney, the front runner and heir apparent according to the Washington-New York-Boston Beltway, defeated Ron Paul in Virginia and easily won Vermont and Massachusetts. According to the last glance in Ohio, he had eked out a razor slim victory after outspending his opponents as much as six to one. His 38 per cent win meant that 62 pr cent of the Republicans who voted do not want him as the nominee.  Romney has still not sealed the deal and his inability to close can only raise more questions as to what he truly believes and how he can connect with the average Republican voter. He did improve his position as the candidate who could defeat Obama and among those who voted for him, it is clear that was the main  reason for even considering him.

Rick Santorum continues to impress with victories in Tennessee, Oklahoma and North Dakota. his campaign excites the passions of those who act the role of true believers. His campaign  shows signs of greater sophistication. However his lead in Ohio disappeared when the Romney machine went to work over the weekend. While he must be pleased with his performance, he cannot help but be frustrated on what could have been a clear victory but for the Newt contingency. hose states next on the list give him a great opportunity to prove he has the ability to take it all the way to the convention.

As for Newt, he needs to realize tat he continued presence in the race will only serve to help Mitt Romney. This is the same Mitt Romney that Newt battled and lost to in Florida in a contest that became pretty ugly. And there is no love lost between the Governor and the Speaker.

So why does Newt continue?

If he thinks that he can pull something out over the next month, he is sadly mistaken. He iwll not be the consensus candidate in a brokered convention. He is not going to win. Republicans do not think he can beat Obama. He has too much baggage.  And while he has helped frame the issues and sometimes put the media on its heels, it is time to end his race.  He could wait before endorsing anyone, though an endorsement of Rick's candidacy would insure him a role in the future and perhaps a cabinet post of some kind. But he needs to realize that for the good of the party, now is the time for him to announce that he is suspending the race.

Rick Santorum is the only candidate who can challenge Obama on Obama care.  He is the only candidate who can appeal to blue collar and Reagan Democrat voters. He can focus not only on the economy and jobs but also the threats in the Middle East. Finally he reminds us that liberty is at stake. He paints a compelling picture of why we must stop the encroaching federal government which will overshadow everything we do if we do not stop it now.

Rick Santorum can go toe to toe with Obama. First he needs to go toe to toe with Romney. Then the Republican party can see his metal and who is indeed the best man to challenge Barack Obama.