Trusted Web Sites... For Those Interested In True Honesty and Accuracy Without The Propaganda
Informed citizens owe it to themselves to be open minded enough to do the hard work and research in order to decide which websites and news sources are fact and which are fiction.
The internet provides pundits, readers and writers a source of information that is limitless. It also feeds the dogma and rigid beliefs of those who are not willing or able to find common ground or consensus.
I read hundreds of things weekly as I sit in airports or hotel rooms as I travel with my job. My interest in current events and political issues stems from reading and researching. I read both viewpoints and then decide where I stand.
I rely on intelligence, common sense and instinct to determine what is truth on websites and in the news and what an untruth is.
What I have found is that people on certain sites can say just about anything and those who are ‘true believers’ suck in positions that match their personal beliefs like oxygen. It happens with both the Right and Left of political extremists.
Here are some extremist Far Right websites that skew the truth:
The Constitution Party: http://constitutionparty.org
The American Independent Party: http://aipca.org
Slatecard: http://slatecard.com
Savage Nation: www.michaelsavage.com
Here are some extremist Far Left websites that skew the truth:
People For The America Way: www.pfaw.org
The Center For Public Integrity: www.publicintegrity.org
Move ON: www.moveon.org
Think Progress: www.thinkprogress.org
Here are some sites that informed citizens will appreciate:
Open Secrets-Non Partisan site that exposes who is contributing to politicians and how much. They are reliable and balanced. Staff members are from both sides of the political debate and this is a site that you can surf for hours as it is packed with interesting facts that you won’t hear in the mainstream press. www.opensecrets.org
Snopes-This site debunks news stories and rumors and is about 85% accurate. It appears to be non-partisan and is a place where those who want to be informed can go for information. www.snopes.com This site exposes urban legend and myths from all topics, not just politics.
Real Clear Politics-Get the real scoop on polls and the straight story on politics. Their polls are used by the New York Times, CNN and the Washington Post. Very balanced and reliable site: www.realclearpolitics.com
Here is an unreliable website overused on blogs and on the web: www.wikipedia.com
Anyone can post information on Wikipedia and often it is unverified and unchecked. Do not fall prey to what you read on this site.
FACTS ARE FACTS
To assume that any of the major networks cover the entire story or can provide complete coverage of every aspect of a news story is unrealistic. They report the basic story and should not draw conclusions. Networks on all sides do lean towards a political position and that is obvious.
Special interest groups, PACS and politically funded websites like Media Matters on the Left or Human Events on the Right do little to add to consensus and uniting people and do much to divide the population. They play to the dogmatic and doctrinaire who feel (the overused and emotionally charged) “disenfranchisement”.
In the end however, the facts are the facts. Conspiracy thugs who believe there is a black ops agenda around every corner will never be able to separate fact from reality. They don’t want to. These individuals exist on both ends of the spectrum.
I attempt to listen to all sides of the debate and read many books that I really don’t care to read but I force myself to do so to understand the entire debate. Unwillingness on the part of anyone to do anything less is equivalent to an ostrich sticking it’s head into the sand or a recluse shutting themselves into a cabin in the woods.
I have moderated many opinions by doing the research and not falling prey to partisan sites and in knee jerk fashion, quoting punditry as fact.
Now, there are sites on the web that are balanced but have progressives or conservatives behind them. The sites that can be trusted are those who take the time to research and do thoughtful and complete studies.
On the Left is the Pew Foundation and on the Right is the Heritage Foundation. Do I believe in everything that they conclude? No…but they are realistic sources and are where you will never find ‘true believers’. Generally these inflexible zealots are the ‘woe is me’ crowd who view themselves as victims of society. What we need is dialogue and an attempt to view all sides of the debate. Pew and Heritage offer us that opportunity.
Once anyone can say that they view both sides of issues and debate, then others should respect their opinion and “facts” regardless of their own beliefs.
CNN, MSNBC, NBC, NPR, etc. lean Left. Fox news leans right, I will admit that. I do find them balanced and they do allow (in most cases) debate and they cover both sides. A recent study found that Fox News, however, was the fairest to all candidates; including Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Now this study was done by Sourcewatch which those on the Left will say was funded by conservatives but in reality another reliable source on the web states:
“Private foundation financial reports show that CMPA (Sourcewatch) initially relied heavily on funding from conservative foundations such as the Sarah Scaife and John M Olin foundations. Since the early 1990s, however, its funding base has diversified to include more liberal foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Pew Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Kaiser Family Foundation.”
This comes from yet another level headed, non partisan and reliable source on the internet: www.answers.com.
This illustrates why relying on sites like Salon.com, citizensforethics.org, FSTV.com and others who play to those who are gullible and easily led is precarious at best. Any extreme site uses the principle that if you say something enough; people will start to believe it. I hope that the readers here are intelligent enough to be able to see the forest for the trees. I am sure there are some who are not!
Proof, not opinion
Bill, as I wrote in response to your comment to my post, show us where any of the sites I mentioned, like Think Progress and The Center For Public Integrity have altered the facts or written something untrue.
"extremist Far Left websites" ? That you characterize them that way says a lot.
You don't believe in evolution either, right? You can believe anything you choose Bill, that's your right, but as someone who claims to be thoughtful and intelligent, I'm left questioning your judgment and reasoning. And your response to my post with this one and it's tone just reinforces that.
I stand by my choices and how I characterized them.
All the best Bill, and I hope you had a nice Christmas and New Years.
Any Site....
Any website that which takes every news story and spins it with conspiracy or some conclusion that is always negative is extremist whether it is on the Left or the Right.
You have fallen for the SPIN and you obviously only read what you want.
As I explained, belief is one thing but it needs to be informed and the only way it can be informed is if you are open to reading and hearing all sides.
As with the first post that you responded with before you were a member of BlogsNH I am under the impression that you are quite dogmatic. It is one thing to disagree and have spirited debate but to dismiss others before you do your homework just illustrates your doctrinaire closed mindedness.
As far as 'tone', have you read some of your postings. I would be willing to bet that you are a nice person but you do sound like you are angry.
I probably sound that way to you but it is passion against being preached to on politically correct issues.
Open your mind. When was the last time you read counter opinions and weighed the differences and attempted to see another point of view??
You can question my judgment and reasoning, but it does not stem from knee jerk dogma but from informed curiosity and an attempt to find reasons for consensus.
That said, your writing does not imply that you are interested in that. Moreover it is a "my way or the highway" approach. Without consensus and common ground, this country is doomed. I would think that you had more on the ball than to comply with narrow agenda in the absence of understanding that there are more points of view than yours!
Why Seek Outside Opinions Anyway?
Bill,
I understand the points you are attempting to make; but really, who knows what to believe, no matter the source! For example (and this has nothing to do with politics) but I researched until my eyes exploded, the good and bad of fluoridation. I made up my mind that I would NOT have our dentist implement a fluoride therapy on my two young children. My research showed that the risks far outweighed the benefits. But, does my conclusion have a basis in reality? It depends on where one looks. Just like you say with political websites; however is one to ever know for sure how grounded in truth any of them really are?
I agree with you when you talk about common sense and intuition; that is right on! No one should ever take for face value the opinions written by any one in any forum. Go with what is in your gut...What resonates with you and what feels right? That is what should lead each individual to their own conclusion. Always!
One thing that has me flabbergasted as we approached the primary, was friends speaking highly of Ron Paul, but saying that they wouldn't vote for him because ,"He will never make it to the White House, so I didn't want to waste my vote." Do you know how many people I talked to who said just that? Enough! Enough to know that if they just voted with their heart, than maybe for example, Ron Paul would have pulled ahead. Now we will never know, because people voted from a fear based stand-point...an old-school philosophy took over and their real candidate was sacrificed in favor of a lesser evil!!!!
It makes me sick to believe that we as a supposed enlightened nation depend on a public forum to help make up our minds. What ever happened to free-thinking? Whatever happened to believing in something bigger and better than ourselves; without the prodding and coaxing of an outside party? WHY DOES ONE FEEL IT NECESSARY TO SEEK AN OUTSIDE OPINION anyway, on a subject that they should feel a resonation with, within their very own hearts? If the spirit moves you, than so be it! No outside opinion should ever effect what is in ones own heart. Especially when the opinion one may seek is slanted to the opinion of the person who offers it. I think that is what is wrong with the world today...there is too much emphasis on what others think and not enough faith in what one may feel for themselves.
It is with my strongest wish and prayers that each and every individual who cam e out today in the NH Primary, did so on their own behalf and belief system; choosing a candidate based solely on that belief and NOTHING else. For as long as I can remember, I have always voted for the candidate who resonated with my belief system; they were always the underdogs...my grandmother went so far one time in a family debate to tell me very vehemently, that I wasted my vote, she said, "How dare you do something so stupid." What a way to buoy on the human soul!!!!
I will not let ego get in the way of who I wish to be president. If it feels right, than I will vote accordingly. I do not need any of the websites in which you speak of, because I have my own mind. End of story! I would hope that most people aren't out there looking towards anyone else's opinion either, yet basing their decisions on a sound, gut feeling...one that screams, "This is the truth as I see it, and I will follow it through!"
One thing that has me very disturbed (and set me straight if I am missing something)...But how in the name of GOD does the media claim McCain as the NH primary winner when only 40% of the votes are in? I noticed in the town by town that my town hadn't been counted in yet...does that mean that me and every neighbor here have gone and voted for naught? Do we not matter?
I want to know one more thing if anyone is willing to answer...Where is the media hype about Ron Paul? This man has proven himself as a front runner (especially with monetary contributions) yet he is continually ignored and uninvited to debates? As I read the results of the primary...Paul is rocking along, yet he is never highlighted. Why is that? Could it be a media slant? HMMM...one never knows, does one?
Tracy M
More opinion..
..and still no proof to back it up.
Take a deep breath and try to relax. It's not good for your health (mental or otherwise), take it from me. I'm sorry, I've obviously made you defensive. You seem to be 'projecting' a bit.
As I told you when I first commented in response to a previous post of yours trashing Valerie Plame Wilson, I can't sit idly by and let that happen. I know that there's no chance of changing your opinion and I won't waste any time trying, but I will defend the content of my last post against your mischaracterizations.
Now unless you can come up with proof as I asked, instead of more opinion and a big dose of condescension, I'm done. I have to get something to eat and start collecting content for my next (non-political!) blog post. I'm on a mission to get people to take computer security more seriously. I'm still trying to find a 'style' for the blog and I'm not satisfied with what I've done so far (by a long shot). I need to find someone to 'edit' my posts and give me some direction...
Actually I am done with this. I have too many positive things I'd rather deal with and it's getting late.
You see, this is why I chose to make my blog about computers instead of politics. I knew it was a mistake to post anything relating to politics that could cause you to attack, but foolish me, I went and did it anyway (insert emoticon banging it's head with a hammer...). Rest assured I won't make that mistake again! I purposely refrain from commenting on your blog posts because I want to keep things congenial. To be perfectly honest, it hasn't been easy, but it's for the best.
I'm betting you're a good person at heart Bill, maybe we should get together for coffee some time, my treat. We should just stay away from talking politics, eh? Send me an email. Since my dad died last year I don't get out much and I could use it. Besides that, I don't like conflicts. We all have much more in common than we do differences. And for some reason I think you and I have a number of things in common. 
Peace
Why???
Tracy,
That is a great point and an easy answer. We all have a tendency to think in the way that we were brought up. Those are our core beliefs. If we walk around unable to understand how other people think, then we are like that ostrich with it's head in the sand.
I may not agree with many things like abortion for instance. Through research and reaching out to the other guy I decided a while ago that if people want it to be a "Womans right to choose", then I could understand that.
Both sides of that debate refuse to give any ground. The Right is in favor of outlawing it. The Left is in favor of funding it federally and partial birth.
Neither side can understands that their side is extreme. In a perfect world it should be outlawed when you think of what it is and how insensitive it is. On the other side they have a point. Being a person wh believes in self reliance and self determination, I am stuck in the middle.
Without research, we would never know what was the truth.
Now to your points on dentists. That is a perfect example as I understand your point of view. I just had surgery and I did research on the web and although I have a very minor ailment, the internet varied from reviews of the condition from ordinary and minor to death. If you read all of the studies, you could not sleep.
So here is my point on research. We all owe it to ourselves to do the research, to be informed, so that we can make intelligent decisions and separate fact from thet truth.
Today on the internet there are so many people, and I am not saying that DR is one of those but they are practicing the principle that if you say something enough, people will believe it.
The saying 'figures don't lie but liars figure' applies to the internet.
I agree with you that your political choice is something that you have a core belief in. I also agree about calling McCain and I also know that the Monitor and newspapers had a huge impact on the election. RE: If you say something enough, people will believe it. Hence....the reason to do research!
While I was not a Ron Paul supporter, I agree with you that if it is in your gut; then follow your gut. I would be willing to bet though that you don't believe every single aspect of his doctrine. There are probably one or two things in which you disagree. There are things that I agree with Paul on but I did not like his personality and approach as he reminded me of Ross Perot and I could not stomach him.
The issue I have with TR is the fact that he and people like him enhance their core beliefs and believe internet sources as absolute fact. I think we all owe it to ourselves to do the research and be informed,
Without that, special interests will gain more power than they have already. That could be a sea change in the way we live and are governed.
You can see the impact that the media had and the answer to your question on Ron Paul is right before your eyes. Uninformed voters and people who believe only what they want to believe without doing the research on Paul.
TR, My comments below
Take a deep breath and try to relax. It's not good for your health (mental or otherwise), take it from me. I'm sorry, I've obviously made you defensive. You seem to be 'projecting' a bit.
Well, I do not believe in the psych agenda either like 'projecting' and my mental health is just fine. I thank you for being concerned.
As I told you when I first commented in response to a previous post of yours trashing Valerie Plame Wilson, I can't sit idly by and let that happen. I know that there's no chance of changing your opinion and I won't waste any time trying, but I will defend the content of my last post against your mischaracterizations.
I can give you instances and could give you facts from those websites but you would find some reason to dismiss it. It is not really about changing opinion; it is about the individual opening their mind to understand other opinions. Yes, I have by core beliefs, formulated by my life experience and upbringing.
Now unless you can come up with proof as I asked, instead of more opinion and a big dose of condescension, I'm done. I have to get something to eat and start collecting content for my next (non-political!) blog post. I'm on a mission to get people to take computer security more seriously. I'm still trying to find a 'style' for the blog and I'm not satisfied with what I've done so far (by a long shot). I need to find someone to 'edit' my posts and give me some direction...
You are reading into my reply. I find this a lot with liberals who call anyone who responds in a sharp way as condescension but turn around and do the same thing, thinking they are right!
Actually I am done with this. I have too many positive things I'd rather deal with and it's getting late.
You see, this is why I chose to make my blog about computers instead of politics. I knew it was a mistake to post anything relating to politics that could cause you to attack, but foolish me, I went and did it anyway (insert emoticon banging it's head with a hammer...). Rest assured I won't make that mistake again! I purposely refrain from commenting on your blog posts because I want to keep things congenial. To be perfectly honest, it hasn't been easy, but it's for the best.
Look, my only point is to listen to all sides of the debate and do the research.
I'm betting you're a good person at heart Bill, maybe we should get together for coffee some time, my treat. We should just stay away from talking politics, eh? Send me an email. Since my dad died last year I don't get out much and I could use it. Besides that, I don't like conflicts. We all have much more in common than we do differences. And for some reason I think you and I have a number of things in common.
It used to be that if you believed in self reliance, self determination and hard work, it was admirable. Now, the Left has turned that into a lack of inclusion, we need to take care of you and we want to take more from you because you work hard.
For centuries people have watched out for their families first...now that is considered wrong and viewed as selfish.
For decades a persons home was their castle; now government would take it in the name of eminent domain in a heartbeat.
The left talks so much about 'free speech' yet they have worked feverishly to change the lexicon so that if you say 'blind' you are a bigot because you slipped and did not say 'visually impaired'.
People are offended by everything in the name of special interest and themselves. How can you get "offended" if you see a nativity scene? That is more a product of: "I don't believe in GOD because......there fore I can not be reminded of GOD by cliaming I am offended".
Everyone today is a victim, didn't get a fair break, shouldn't be responsible for their choices, etc.
Then the Left leaning websites back up these viewpoints. That is why I write and that is why I believe as I do.
Sure, we can have coffee sometime...it would be my pleasure.
I see you're pushing buttons
I see you're pushing buttons again. Won't you ever learn? And as your mental health...well, I guess we won't go there. 
Buttons?
Michael,
My original blog here is balanced and fair and honest. Did I not give Media Matters and Human Events equal billing........that is accurate.
Did I not give Snopes a plug? Is Wikipedia not biased depending who posts there?
My mental health is fine...
Fair Media?
No one has been fair to Ron Paul in any media I have watched. I looked around for a NH newspaper forum where I could vent a little about the LIVE FREE or DIE state and how you just rolled over and let the fraudulent elections sail right on by and into history. Great Job there at the gate freedom fighters....If you wish to yell back I will be on the Pensacola news journal forums so welcome y'all. Get some spine will ya?
Blame it on Massachusetts
Blame it on Massachusetts. Transplants have swarmed in here over the last 30 years and they finally have a strong foot hold.
Yes, for years they came here for a better life and simpler life and brought their societal expectations with them. Big government and services and liberal social awakening of our once bucolic and peaceful existence.
It used to be "Live Free Or Die" is now "Live to be taxed, over regulated and suffer in the state you were born".
Unfortunately we are being run by transplants now, the old guard and open space state is just about history. Sorry we could not help
Somehow I'm getting a daily
Somehow I'm getting a daily email from Human Events.com and I noticed in today's lovely message from Ann Coulter that her advertisers are phony snake-oil salesmen that the ignorant keep alive. So, no, I would not say that this is a reliable resource. It has a very huge agenda....taking your money.
Human Events
If you read this blog you will see that I said it was not a reliable source along with Media Matters which is the polar opposite of Human Events.
You should read the e-mails....it is always good to have an open mind.
Hi Bill,
Just wanted to thank you for the great post! I think oftentimes people cite far right or far left websites as fact, when they're just simply not. FactCheck.org is another good site for checking in on what's fact and what's fiction from what various politicians are saying. It's essential for people to have the facts to make the best decisions possible. If people rely on facts filtered through the "red" or "blue" lenses, it doesn't really serve anyone's best interest (well, except for the GOP and Democratic partisans).
~Justin