I admit it may be wrongheaded to be anthropomorphizing a thing like the "mainstream media", but I do see a macro-micro similarity here...so for "fun" lets just look at it that way....so, here's the traits of your "friend" Mr.Media. Hes handsome, well groomed and educated. The confidence of his demeanor and melodious sound of his voice fills all his words with "truth". His mission in life is to find out "whats happening" and bring it to the people. He ALWAYS has something new and interesting, and most times controversial...what an interesting, engaging guy!....But then, after knowing him for years you start to "see" things. Upon deeper reflection you come to the realization that almost EVERYTHING that ever issued forth from his mouth was doublespeak, lies, half-truths, and rumor. Worse yet, if you (or real evidence) has ever proven him wrong, he either denies it was said, or just moves on to the next "hot" topic.(DON'T expect an apology!) If you nail him in public, be prepared for a personal attack on your integrity and your credentials. If you do take the time to investigate ALL sides of any one of his "stories", you find that almost every one was severely slanted, or 180 degrees off. If you backup a little more, and look at the bigger picture...you start to see that there is an obvious agenda, a method to his madness....which is to say, distort, obfuscate, and distract you from the truth, and at the same time make you believe that your "informed and current"......(AND HYPNOTIZED!)....and BTW, while your asleep, his bosses are robbing you and killing your children. Its a psychopathic triple crown!