Media Spin

To try and insure that I'm not just getting a one sided view of world affairs, I have both an NPR and Fox News feed on my browser home page. One conservative source, on more liberal source. This helps me get a better idea of where the truth actually lies.

As an example, check out these two headlines for Obama's new Afghan strategy:

Fox News: Left, Right Slam Obama Plan
NPR: Afghan Plan Met with Cautious Approval

You don't get much different than that now, do you?

What's interesting is that both articles present basically the same facts. The difference is in how they spin those facts. In this case, I'm going to agree more with NPR. Here's why:

• Both articles point out that most Democrats fully support the plan, though a few are completely opposed.
• The Republicans unanimously agree with the additional troops but they do have an issue with announcing a timetable for withdrawal.
• General McChrystal, at least publicly, is fully in support.

Put those 3 facts together and what you realize is that, most people are in support of the plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

The moral of the story: Don't ever read just one news source. Take the time to read a couple of ideologically opposed sources because both of them will put their own spin on the facts.