Knowledge is Power Or Power Over Knowledge By Mary MacElveen
xmjmac@optonline.net

Centuries ago, an esteemed philosopher Sir Francis Bacon (1510-1579) authored one of the most powerful quotes known to man. That quote is "knowledge is power". Many have lived by this quote from when he first authored it. This quote knows no bounds and it can be applied to many topics that we have discussed in the past to topics we are still discussing in the present and ones that we will continue to discuss into the future.

I am left to wonder if Sir Francis Bacon ever conceptualized that even during his day up until the present, there would be those in powerful positions, who would have the power over said knowledge. Would he still stand by his original quote?

What would be his advice to those of us living in this modern era as we sit on our couches watching CNN, Fox, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and NBC? Many of these news networks are continuing to sound very much the same. Many of these news networks are owned by parent companies that have investments in one or more of these news networks. These companies also have political and business agendas, and as hard as they try to remain objective and borrowing the phrase from FOX news, "fair and balanced", their agenda in their programming is not.

As many of you know, FOX news airs "The Factor" with Bill O'Reilly who is conservative in his thinking. If they are a station that is allegedly fair and balanced, you would think they would have a show with a host such as Greg Palast. The reason is all too clear, their owner Rupert Murdoch supports the right wing ideologue. If one were channel surfing and knew nothing of the agenda of this station and its owner, they would fall for this deception of this station being fair and balanced.

Other stations are just as guilty as FOX when it comes to disseminating objective reporting. Earlier this year, Senator Tom Daschle and Congressman Dick Gephardt made the rounds to numerous news networks demanding that the other side be heard. They even wrote letters, and they fell on deaf ears. The powers in control of these networks did not want the masses to hear what the other side had to add to our political discourse.

We also have to look back to the presidential campaign of 2000 to see whose agenda these corporate news networks were pushing forth. While Al Gore was raked over the coals from everything to his alleged stiff demeanor, to the clothes that he wore, George Bush was touted as the likable guy. Never once did these news networks questions George Bush about his record in Texas, nor his failed business dealings. So, was it knowledge is power or the power over knowledge when it came to presenting to the voters who was the more qualified candidate. Never did they question George Bush about him being AWOL from the Texas Air National Guard, nor did they commend Al Gore for going over to Vietnam in service to his country.

Now we come to the present day.

Many of these news networks have a common war theme. I would love if one of them had a common peace theme. My guess is that war footage sells ad time better than peace table footage. Through this type of programming those that control these news stations are in collaboration with those that support the war effort. For example, defense contractors. So, one hand washes another.

Why has no one reporter forcefully questioned this administration, just how much it will cost to the tax payers for this war effort? What programs will be cut or ignored to pay for it? I would have to guess that reporters are following Ari Fleischer's infamous quote, "watch what you say" or their corporate heads do not want such questions asked. So, again we have the power over knowledge.

Thankfully, many in our society have access to other sources of information to hopefully garner some power in their daily lives. It is called the Internet. But, sadly even some ISPs have their own agendas as well. But, what happens to those who do not have access to the Internet? They fall prey to those who have the power over knowledge and they fall victim to it. Go ask your average man or woman on the street what is Halliburton, Harken, Brown and Root, and the Carlyle Group. Most likely you will get the answer. I don't know. Ask them who Ben Affleck is engaged to and they can probably tell you. Jennifer Lopez aka J Lo. Are the masses empowered over knowing the latter versus the former? Hell no! Then again, isn't that the objective of those in power? Yes.

So, again I wonder what would Sir Francis Bacon's modern day quote be. Would he still say, "knowledge is power" or would it be "the power over knowledge"? You be the judge.

Mary MacElveen
December 4, 2002

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