So, What To Make Of All This Then?

There's no doubt in my mind that a right-wing equivalent to Journo-List exists. Just as when I get pulled over for speeding, I am fairly certain that there are lots of other people on the highway who were also exceeding the speed limit. But, in this instance, it's the "progressives" who got caught deliberately attempting to undermine journalistic integrity and neutrality in order to advance their personal biases. Trying to innoculate themselves with the argument "Well, the right does it, too!" isn't going to fly with me any more than a judge is going to let me off the hook when I cry "But lots of people speed!" What they were doing-- in my opinion-- is a sign of everything that's wrong with the media.

The Sherrod story demonstrates why being patient, cautious, inquisitive, and deliberate in your decisions is a desirable trait not just for government officials but non-government opinion leaders, as well. Unfortunately, in today's over-charged environment, few bother to check the facts and gain context of the moment; everyone just reaches for their first gut reaction in a race to "do something" -- why should we be surprised when the result is mistake-laden?

--Bobby

There's an ongoing untaken opportunity here, for journalists to truly make a good faith effort to be objective, and establish themselves as a trusted reporting brand.

Fox noticed the opportunity long ago, but all they did was use it as a marketing slogan: fair and balanced. As we know, they're not. They just added a thumb to the other side of the scale. At this point, more journalism is yellow than not. We should all operate from this presumption.

We have no choice these days as informations consumers to be active editors. Until proven otherwise, I presume every reporter has some axe to grind.

And Bobby? Amen to patience. If only more folks understood that patience is a skill, and can only be developed by practicing it when it's hard to do so.