William F. Smith: “here is a recent Washington Post article describing vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney's speeches: ``Bash. Bash.…”

“here is a recent Washington Post article describing vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney's speeches: ``Bash. Bash. Bash.'' The reporter quotes Cheney as saying that the country was ``weary of the Clinton-Gore routine,'' but then adds, ``even if no one else is'' but Cheney. No, these sarcastic opinions are not from an editorial. They are from a news story that is supposed to be objective and impartial. What it reveals is the bias of a reporter who is trying to tell us what to think. Why does the media display such a liberal bias? Simply because journalists are more liberal than the rest of us. Peter Brown, an editor at the ``Orlando Sentinel'' conducted a study that discovered a profound cultural disconnect between journalists and readers. He found that reporters are far more likely than other Americans to approve of abortion on demand, to express disdainful attitudes towards the suburbs and rural areas, and to identify strongly with people who see themselves as victims of society. They are also less likely to go to church or do volunteer work in their communities. But what is the answer? We need to tell the media, give us the facts, and let us make up our own mind.”