Where can I educate myself politically?

[candycorn]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Not here for damn sure.

If I were to give advice, just rely on your common sense. If something sounds moronic, it's probably not worth listening to and a republican probably said it. Like using an AC-130 gunship for riot control and the decision not to use it equates to "treason". Hokiest bunch of BS ever uttered.

 

[JWBooth]

Not here for damn sure.

If I were to give advice, just rely on your common sense. If something sounds moronic, it's probably not worth listening to and a republican probably said it. Like using an AC-130 gunship for riot control and the decision not to use it equates to "treason". Hokiest bunch of BS ever uttered.

It keeps the interwebs alive though......

 

[GuyPinestra]

Not here for damn sure.

If I were to give advice, just rely on your common sense. If something sounds moronic, it's probably not worth listening to and a republican probably said it. Like using an AC-130 gunship for riot control and the decision not to use it equates to "treason". Hokiest bunch of BS ever uttered.

So you're saying that a gunship is overkill when our Embassy is attacked for HOURS with mortars and RPGs?

Would you have them throw ROCKS?!?!?

 

[jwoodie]

Gather information from as many sources as possible and evaluate their assessments as to the validity of their argument and logical application of facts. You will become a conservative in no time.

 

[Qantrill]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

If you're thinking about a political science major in college...BEWARE. All you'll get is an indoctrination (read that brainwashing) in SOCIALISM at most universities and colleges. You may as well rely on Chris Matthew and Rachel Madcow at MSNBC to educate you in the finer points of Marxism. And I'm serious as a heart attack when I say that.

 

[Oddball]

The Law, by Frederic Bastiat

The Road To Serfdom - Abridged

The Road from Serfdom - Reason.com

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Columnists offer opinion. Editorial Pages are opinion. Blogs are almost useless unless you already have a grasp of what the blogger is writing about. Media bias exists, but there are a few media outlets on the right and very few on the left that have a stated mission of balancing a perceived bias -- which means they are heavily biased themselves. A truly balanced media outlet does not spend much time criticizing what others are doing -- they just out out their product -- news.

Reputation counts. The WSJ and NYT (wall street journal and new your times) amongst other media get criticized as being ideological. The most basic critical thinking skills should make one aware that it is their editorial pages that are so ideological, not the straight news.

Magazines often state their ideological bias up front.

balance. look to balance out what you think you know, and above all else have a sense of perspective: opponents and not enemies -- that is how to view others.

lotsa luck

 

[JWBooth]

The Law, by Frederic Bastiat

The Road To Serfdom - Abridged

The Road from Serfdom - Reason.com

Our Enemy The State

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Anywhere but here...

Take a few critical thought and logic classes and apply them to everything you read, see, or hear.

In the end, all of it is nothing more than opinion, and like assholes, everyone has one.

tooAlive:

be very, very careful, as most of the far left and far right posters here tend to think logic is god. logic may have been good for Spock on Star Trek, but that character was only HALF human. Most of the stories show how logic alone can lead one astray

look up
nuance -- distinctions with a difference -- cognitive dissonance -- echo chamber -- group think

 

[Qantrill]

Here is a prime example of the difference between most conservatives and most democrat socialists: Lying

http://www.usmessageboard.com/politics/258377-christie-goes-off-message-praises-obama-and-disses-romney.html

 

[Procrustes Stretched]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'm not sure whether to congratulate you or feel bad for you!

My recommendation is to do what you can to get the whole story, so that you can make your own decisions and form your own opinion. And if you truly want to be on top of the political scene, there is unfortunately no one place to go to get the whole story. No matter what a network or website claims, it's highly likely that it leans in one direction or the other. So you have no choice but to reference several different sources.

Whether you're watching/listening to a "news" broadcast (where they're claiming to be giving you the news and not opinion), or an admitted advocate (Limbaugh, Maddow, Hannity, Schultz, etc), ask yourself these questions:

• What information are they leaving out of what they're saying in an effort to sway my opinion?
• What information are they spinning or distorting to sway my opinion?
• Where can I go to get an opposing view?

Then all you can do is gather as much information as you can, synthesize it on your own, and form your opinions. Just remember - Networks and publications and web sites that claim to be unbiased probably are not. I guarantee you, there's a decent chance that whomever you're watching or reading or listening to is bending the story one way or the other. The right wingers will tell you that you can get the straight scoop from Fox and the National Review; the left wingers will tell you can get the straight scoop from MSNBC and NPR. Don't believe it, get several sources.

Be curious, always. Be intellectually honest with yourself. And holy crap, good luck.

.

NPR? I love your post, but comparing NPR to MSNBC is ridiculous. Some shows on NPR are definitely left, but their news is very similar to BBC.

Wait! You'll accuse BBC too....

 

[Oddball]

The Law, by Frederic Bastiat

The Road To Serfdom - Abridged

The Road from Serfdom - Reason.com

Our Enemy The State

Anarchy, State, And Utopia - Robert Nozick

 

[LeftofLeft]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

Understand that there are two medias; each with bias. Watch MSNBC and Fox News. Look for the same stories and see how it is covered by each outlet. Read The New York Times and The Washington Times. Again, follow the same story and see how it is covered. From there, you will be able to pick a source (not necessarily any of these media) for your political news and perspective.

 

[eflatminor]

...I want to educate myself.

Good on you. You really have to think for yourself, draw your own conclusions. In my experience, there are a few books worth reading that do not take the traditional Liberal vs Conservative route. They lay out the history of individualism vs central planning. You make the call which is best or which version of big government works for you, if any.

I recommend:

The Road to Serfdom, Fredrick Hayek [ame=http://www.amazon.com/The-Road-Serfdom-Fiftieth-Anniversary/dp/0226320618]The Road to Serfdom: Fiftieth Anniversary Edition: F. A. Hayek,Milton Friedman: 9780226320618: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

Ludwig Von Mises, Liberalism [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Liberalism-Ludwig-von-Mises/dp/1469971917/ref=la_B000APA2Y4_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351619139&sr=1-4]Liberalism: Ludwig von Mises: 9781469971919: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

No They Can't, John Stossel [ame=http://www.amazon.com/They-Cant-Government-Fails-But-Individuals/dp/1451640943/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351619269&sr=1-1&keywords=no+they+cant+john+stossel]No,They Can't: Why Government Fails-But Individuals Succeed: John Stossel: 9781451640946: Amazon.com: Books[/ame]

 

[candycorn]

Not here for damn sure.

If I were to give advice, just rely on your common sense. If something sounds moronic, it's probably not worth listening to and a republican probably said it. Like using an AC-130 gunship for riot control and the decision not to use it equates to "treason". Hokiest bunch of BS ever uttered.

So you're saying that a gunship is overkill when our Embassy is attacked for HOURS with mortars and RPGs?

Would you have them throw ROCKS?!?!?

Yes.

I thought it was the consulate that was attacked...oh well I'm sure it doesn't matter in the all-out-right-wing-smear-a-thon.

Would you like to see a Chinese plane flying over an American city when there is a protest outside of one of it's consulates? Would you be cool with a Chinese war plane in American airspace?

 

[candycorn]

I joined up with the hopes of learning about politics. But I've realized it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.

The problem I've been having is distinguishing the real facts from someones opinion. You see, I've noticed that many posters are pretty biased in their comments. And I speak in regards to both parties.

I'll admit even I tend to get carried away often times and will come off as ignorant some times. I'm sure some of you have picked up on my right lean by now.

Anyways, as a truly honest question, where can I go to find the most accurate information? Granted, I believe most sources will have their leaning regardless. But there must be at least some that call it as it is, right?

I'm 21 and have recently begun to understand just how important being informed is. Which is why I want to educate myself. I want to know the nitty gritty. I want to know what's really going on. But there's so much information out there and different sources that it's a little overwhelming.

Thanks, I appreciate all your replies; NaziCons and Liberturds alike.

If you're thinking about a political science major in college...BEWARE. All you'll get is an indoctrination (read that brainwashing) in SOCIALISM at most universities and colleges. You may as well rely on Chris Matthew and Rachel Madcow at MSNBC to educate you in the finer points of Marxism. And I'm serious as a heart attack when I say that.

You probably should stay away from advice of people flying a Confederate flag on their avatar and calling a woman "madcow" while they're at it.

 

[GoneBezerk]

1) Only watch msnbc for laughs and insane claims.
2) FOX News will give you more CIA, military and business insiders than any other TV channel.
3) Go to college and get different viewpoints.
4) Understand cnn is stealthy with their liberal views.
5) The major TV networks are in bed with Democraps for years.
6) Listen to Charles Krauthammer and watch the Bret Baer show on FOX, especially the "Grapevine."
7) Read books US history and world history.
8) Read books on Foreign Policy.
9) Read books on the military, World Wars, etc.
10) Watch the History Channel and Military Channel.

Oh, ignore liberals.

 

[Lakhota]

Where can I educate myself politically?

First, you must honestly determine how you wish to "educate" yourself. After all, you are already a product of your environment. Do you generally agree with Democrat or Republican values - or a combination of both? Do you believe in separation of church and state? Do you support Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose? Do you support Social Security, Medicaid and other social safety nets as administered by the federal government? How do you feel about the federal government versus states' rights?

Above all, you should keep an open mind and put humanity above political party. Learn to recognize the sights, sounds and smell of political bullshit. It takes time and practice...

 

[Oddball]

Above all, you should keep an open mind and put humanity above political party. Learn to recognize the sights, sounds and smell of political bullshit. It takes time and practice...

Suffice to say that you are in desperate need of much, much more time and considerable amounts of practice.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Think and ask why. Read actual historical manuscripts. Read and dissect the US Constitution. Throw your television out the window. Its just garbage that wastes precious time.