I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them.
George H. W. BushRead
I think the 24-hour news cycle has helped exaggerate the differences between the parties. You can always find someone on TV somewhere carping about something. That didn't happen 20 years ago.
Interpretation
The constant news coverage amplifies political differences and conflict.
George H. W. Bush reflects on how the fast-paced 24-hour news cycle has changed political discourse, pointing out that it tends to exaggerate the divisions between political parties. Unlike two decades ago, the prevalence of media coverage means that anyone with a grievance can voice their concerns publicly, often leading to heightened tensions and polarization within political discussions.
In practice
In a speech about media responsibility, one could quote Bush to highlight how modern news shapes political opinions.
I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them.
One of the good things about the way the Gulf War ended in 1991 is, you'd see the Vietnam veterans marching with the Gulf War veterans.
Communism didn't fall. It was pushed.
The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world.
It's too much show business and too much prompting, too much artificiality, and not really debates. They're rehearsed appearances.
Appeasement does not work. As was the case in the 1930s, we see in Saddam Hussein an aggressive dictator threatening his neighbors.
When I wrote 'The West Wing,' the juice behind it was that in popular culture, our leaders in government are generally portrayed as Machiavellian, or as idiots. I thought, well, how about writing about a group of hyper-competent people?
It doesn't matter where we begin the personal/political circle, but it matters desperately that we complete it.
I hereby accuse the North American empire of being the biggest menace to our planet.
But if Russia is to be part of this larger zone of peace it cannot bring into it its imperial baggage. It cannot bring into it a policy of genocide against the Chechens, and cannot kill journalists, and it cannot repress the mass media.
What we have ignored is what citizens can do and the importance of real involvement of the people involved - versus just having somebody in Washington make a rule.
I sent American troops to Iraq to make its people free, not to make them American. Iraqis will write their own history and find their own way.
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