Will the Press be the death of the Republic? History may hold the answer.

The American Free Press may be the greatest danger to the 1st Amendment.  They have diminished their moral authority by assuming the practice of sophistry within the political arena.  The American public can no longer trust that they will be the objective and impartial advocates defending the public's right to know and understand.  As a whole, liberal and conservative, media outlets have betrayed their obligation of factual impartial reporting and replaced it with opinion based entertainment and hyperbole.  Banished to the quaint reflection of history are the days of Walter Cronkite and so many of those journalists who pursued their craft with honor and dedication.   The "Truth" of the events that transpired in Benghazi resulting in the death of an American Ambassador and three courageous Americans was swept under the rug and subject to misdirection during the Presidential Election.   Will the reality of this tragic event now be unearthed with the election over?  One can hardly argue that the rapid response of the press to the Petraeus Scandal is a disgrace when compared to the Benghazi incident.  The coverage of a Terrorist Attack on the Anniversary of 9/11 was minimal at best and it is difficult to dimiss political interest and partisanship.  However, it could be that the Press is well aware that the American public is ignorant as a whole and incapable of caring or understanding the complexities of Benghazi.  Collectively, the press is as profit driven as those they claim to oppose and demonize as corporate evil.  This faux enlightenment is funded by the major corporations that own them and are interested in nothing more than the bottom line.  It is clear that they understand the public's interest in reality television and are prepared to feed the proverbial beast whatever it desires as long as the beast obeys them and elevates them to the role of master.

The failure of the press is a monumental betrayal.  One can hardly blame the politicians for doing what they do best during a heated political fight for the most powerful position in the world.  This is as it has always been throughout history.  Such deviant and deceitful behavior is almost expected within the political arena by those who practice the dark art of sophistry. Sadly, the American public once had faith in the Press and their ability to reveal the truth and keep the players honest.  The government feared the press because they feared the people.  As it should be.  No more.  The Press is now the public relations and political arm of major corporations.  They, as master, control the board and ultimately choose who will run the most powerful nation on earth.  We are told what we "need" to know when we need to know and only if we need to know.  Instructions regarding how to vote and who to vote for are delivered under the pretext of news reporting.  Ironically, such deceptive and treasonous acts against the Republic are protected by the Republic. 

Have we surrendered control and become nothing more than the Roman mob demanding their "fair share" of the Republic's supply of grain?   "Feed us and give us what we demand and we will give you the power to rule us!"  What is next?  A tyrant such as Sulla or perhaps an enlightened elitist who fools us into believing he is a man of the people? "Hail Caesar!"