Today's MTP: A textbook example of what is wrong with our press

First, let me say I love Paul Krugman. He is a great writer and has been one of the best, most forceful critics of Bush in the mainstream media. I hope he writes for years to come and is on TV lecturing us about economics for years to come.

The roundtable today was Krugman, Kate O'Beirne of the National Review, Joe Klien of Newsweek, and Mike Allen of the Washington Post. I admit to not knowing the bios of all these people but I don't think any of them are particularly known for having studied foreign relations, only Krugman is an economist. Yet all four were talking about Social Security and foreign relations. Why not have people who really know what they are doing discuss these things? There are leftist, centrist, and rightists who are able to speak intelligently on the economy and other leftists, centrists, and rightists who can do so on foreign relations. Outside of Krugman on economics why should these people's views be newsworthy?

This is one of the big problems with our press. It really isn't bias since all points of view were represented here, but it is destructive none the less. It equates real experts such as Krugman on economics with non experts like O'Beirne. It is part of the he said/ he said or she said/ she said culture they like to promote. We should demand better.

about the issues. It is often people talking who have no expertise beyond the average person pulled off the street when it come to the issue they are discussing. How do we change that? Letters to the network?

i recall the 'inside information' joke (on the simpsons, maybe) where the source was 'some guy in the bar' lol

no they weren't !!

did anyone talk about how the U.S. assassinated numerous heads of state to pursue the trans-national corporate agenda ??? i didn't think so ...

what passes for "full spectrum coverage" in the MSM is always played between the 40 yard lines ... anything more than 10 yards from mid-field is relegated to the internet and the Social Workers' Party's newsletter that's handed out on street corners ...

of Social Security and Iraq.

and the corporate agenda is very relevant to Iraq ...

anyway, my main point is that you will never see anything but mainstream views on MTP or any other MSM ...

Who everybody knows are "affilated" with a certain viewpoint. Why not gets some professors who've done studies, or some acknowledged experts in their fields, preferably people associated with non-partisan groups. One of the reasons I don't watch the Sunday shows anymore is that I already know exactly what is going to be said on them! All it is these days in partisan bickering: Like you said, the "he said, she said" culture.

point of view.

Like Kate O'Beirne (old grey mare she aint what she used to be) would ever spout anything except a right-wing talking point. If she said anything negative about Bush the Earth would stop spinning on its axis.

just boilerplate GOP blather. I can't believe Russert has been using her - there is no value in listening to this woman.