The Rambling Gleaner

Charles M. Madigan has a good column up at the Chicago Tribune on the myth of the liberal media. Ain't no such animal in the first place, he says, and stop blaming the media for the troubles we created ourselves in the second. As for himself, he sums it up in the closing.

So, liberal? No, that's wrong.

Pragmatist. That's what I am.

Come up with a health-care program that works, that provides benefits for all Americans, and I'm on board. Develop a realistic foreign policy that isn't going to drag people we love and cherish into war, and I'm with you.

Protect us realistically and effectively. It's not too much to ask.

Somehow, that has been translated into taking Swiss Army knives and other pointy things from folks at airports. We get cut to the very heart by terrorists and the government concludes Swiss Army knives are the problem.

Finally, because we live in a society, I want the best for everyone.

My own interests are best protected when the interests of my countrymen are well protected.

I don't think that is liberal. I don't think that is conservative.

I think that is practical and smart.

Hard to argue with that logic.