Nice Bias, AP

From the lead paragraph of an AP op-ed news story:

WASHINGTON May 23, 2005 – In a dramatic reach across party lines, Senate centrists agreed Monday night on a compromise that clears the way for confirmation of many of President Bush’s stalled judicial nominees, leaves others in limbo and preserves venerable filibuster rules.

From the American Heritage Dictionary via Dictionary.com, “venerable” is defined as:

1. Commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character, or position.

2. Worthy of reverence, especially by religious or historical association: venerable relics.

Thanks, AP, for telling us what to think about the filibuster rule, but we’re smart enough to think for ourselves.

Addendum: P.S. to anyone not certain the AP’s lead paragraph, above, is biased: Does the following paragraph seem biased?

WASHINGTON May 23, 2005 – In a dramatic reach across party lines, Senate centrists agreed Monday night on a compromise that clears the way for confirmation of many of President Bush’s venerable judicial nominees, leaves others in limbo and preserves filibuster rules.

Bias-wise, what’s the difference between the two paragraphs?Answer: No difference — except the AP would never print the second one.



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