[lbo-talk] Re: Kos on Marches (Doug Henwood)

[Chuck0]

 From what I could tell, the marches did get more media coverage this 
time. The cable news channels aired stories. Newspapers ran articles and 
I hear that the Washington Post finally bumped an anti-war protest to 
front page above the fold.

Why? This increase in coverage is not due to the size of the 
demonstrations (which were smaller than previous ones) or the growth of 
the anti-war movements. There are two reasons. The obvious one is Cindy 
Sheehan who is a photogenic face of the anti-war movement and who was 
big news in August. Every revolution needs its symbol. The other reason 
is that most Americans are opposed to the war. This is why the Post is 
featuring anti-war news more prominently. That newspaper has long been 
pro-government and dismissive of dissent in the streets. But the 
widespread change in attitudes about Bush and the war make it safe for 
the mainstream media to be more friendly towards antiwar protesters.

They also don't have to worry about being upbraided by the right wing 
punditry. You all may have noticed how right wing flak about dissent 
being "un-american" get little traction these days. And those right-wing 
extremists who foam at the mouth about lefties being "traitors" are just 
crazy extremists.

Chuck