Q re: Respect
A's from Conservatives, Moderates and Liberals
Question
Have you ever felt disrespected or insulted by the media or someone you know because of a political opinion? If so, what can you tell us about that?
Answers
Carl (conservative): Yes, but rarely by individuals with whom I come in contact during the course of my day. That said, the media, and by this I assume you refer to the major outlets, insult and disrespect all Americans' intelligence on a daily basis. They do it, and I don’t think it can be denied, not because they are incompetent but in my opinion because they have a political agenda. And in that endeavor, they have beclowned themselves:
Example A more timely example is a simple compilation of the headlines after the recent assassination attempt [on former President Trump at 6:11 pm ET on Jul 13, 2024]. Anyone with eyes and ears could see and hear, immediately, what had happened in Butler, Pennsylvania. Well, not everyone:
CNN: "Secret Service rushes Trump off stage after he falls at rally"
Post live at 6:15 pm EDT on Jul 13, 2024WAPO: "Trump escorted away after loud noises at Pa. rally"
Post live at 7:29 pm EDT on Jul 13, 2024USA TODAY: "Trump removed from stage by Secret Service after loud noises startles former president, crowd."
Post live at 6:30 pm EDT on Jul 13, 2024ABC: "Trump rushed off stage after disruption at rally."
Post live at 6:16 pm EDT on Jul 13, 2024NBC: "Secret Service rushes Trump offstage after popping noises heard at his Pennsylvania rally”
FOX News: "Bloodied Trump rushed off stage after possible gunshots at Pennsylvania rally.”
[The Media] were savvy enough to understand that this event would likely make Trump a more sympathetic figure but so handicapped by their biases that virtually none of them could bring themselves to accurately describe what the entire nation had just witnessed. At least one major network headline above offered its viewers a reasonably objective headline. I will leave identifying which one for readers to judge.
Scott in Rochester, MI (conservative): Of course! I have learned over the past 6-8 years to learn "when" I can submit my opinion to family / friends. If they provide their opinion, and I don't agree, I will provide my opinion with the facts as I see them. I actually enjoy debates because many times I learn something. However, sometimes, we just need to understand we all have different experiences / views (which is what makes this country great!).
Joe (conservative/moderate): Yes. As a Trump supporter we've been called all sorts of names. And I am unable to have a policy discussion with most of my liberal friends as they get emotional and very upset with me.
Liz in VA (moderate): No, I consider the source--which in many cases may be ill-informed or having their own agenda. I do not rely on others to validate my political opinions.
Geoff Wise (centrist): No, with so much misinformation swirling around, I don't take these misunderstandings personally. I do get frustrated when reporters and acquaintances spread misinformation, whether intentionally or out of ignorance, especially if they seem unwilling to accept factual corrections.
Nina (moderate): I don’t take personal offense to any comments made by political pundits, but I feel that the constant opinion stream demanded by the 24 hour news cycle and ratings ultimately hurt everyone. The Jon Stewart Crossfire interview is just as pertinent today as it was decades ago. In terms of interpersonal interaction, I try to ensure that the person I’m talking to knows that I respect them even if we don’t agree. I wish everyone could read about or take training in the psychology of repeated lies- that untrue things if repeated enough start to ring true. Since this is the case, there’s really no basis to be offended or to offend someone, but until I knew this and could use it in my conversations, I had a difficult time even wanting to be with other people.
John from Michigan (independent): I am dissatisfied that major media outlets are more focused on building a customer base by telling people things that they want to hear, rather than a focus on truth. A big part of the health of our democracy is the quality of our media. I like to believe that many journalists see themselves like doctors, having taken an oath of service to our country. I believe that executives of the major media outlets are more focused on profit. This problem also is not new. Thomas Jefferson had an editor secretly on the government payroll, to produce a newspaper that attacked the opposing political party.
KD in Michigan (independent): Yes
Maggie Smith (liberal): Fringe media outlets confound me, but I won't allow myself to be insulted or disrespected- I simply ignore them and will not descend to their levels. I include outlets such as the late Rush Limbaugh's show ( which my father forced on me during car rides), Steve Bannon's podcasts, and Fox News. All of these have hidden agendas in their news reporting. What confounds me is how the active viewer/listener believes their mendacity- including my conservative father. I would point out inaccuracies and blatant opinions represented as facts with a fact based counter discussion which often led to him leaving the conversation abruptly- and not wanting to engage further.
Dan Mariano (progressive-leaning liberal): Certainly. I have repeatedly been condescended to by the likes of the media, friends and family who insist that my political beliefs and convictions are the result of nothing more than hyper-partisanship, propaganda, or ignorance (particularly to some alleged “deep state” or corporate conspiracy that is behind everything). As if to suggest that I could not arrive at my political beliefs in an informed, nuanced and honest way.
This is an insult I get from all sides of the political spectrum: the suggestion that I only believe what I believe, and not as they do, because they have reached some sort of "enlightenment" that has eluded me. Despite the fact that I have never voted for President before, to say nothing of campaigning for and supporting candidates that share my values in the face of an opposition that wishes to erode and destroy them.
This post is part of a Q&A Series with voters who have volunteered
to share their perspectives leading up to the November 2024 election.
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A reader submitted this comment (but wasn't able to figure out how to post it here):
Why did someone feel it prudent to answer they would rather vote for a monkey than Trump? How does that make anyone with an alternative opinion want to engage in a discussion?