Down with my team

In any political system there are disagreements and exchange of words. And in a democratic system, there is always friction between the ruling party and the opposition, if there is one. This is essential in ensuring that there is someone to keep checks on the government from crossing the line. And the media has a role of conveying to the people of these developments, both good and bad. This is a part of achieving good governance.

The working of a democratic government requires the opposition support the policies that are in favour of the people and be against the ones that run contrary to will and expectations of the people. But never should they act as an agent for a foreign nation. Never.

"I'm with you, not my president"- these were the words of the soon to be house majority leader Eric Cantor (Republican - VA) to the Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu. This was just before Hilary Clinton's meeting with the PM assure their commitment to the peace negotiations and opposition to illegal Israeli constructions.

Cantor's office later tried to recant his statement and construed his remarks as "a check on the Administration and what has been, up until this point, one party rule in Washington." But from the context it is clear that he meant otherwise.

Even more shocking or disappointing is the way the media has covered the whole event – or let's say, not covering the event. Remember the time when Helen Thomas, a White House journalist, was crucified for making remarks about Israel. Or when Octavia Nasr, a senior Middle East editor at CNN, was fired over her tweet revealing her respect for the Late Shiite cleric Ayatollah Fadlallah.

This may not be something new as many may not have even heard of New York Senator Chuck Schumer supporting 'economic strangulation' of Gaza, even when its economy is reeling under Israeli policies. Because the people of Gaza had elected Hamas to power, Israel was in its right to "to strangle them economically until they see that's not the way to go," and the US was morally obliged to stand by them, according to Schumer.

Coming back to Cantor and his remarks, if it had been said by any democrat (or Muslim in the current social environment) he/she would have been subjected to immense scrutiny and might even be said to have committed treason or sedition.

Arundhati Roy's statements on Kashmir were termed to be seditious by TIMES NOW which went on to become a huge debate in the country. It dint stop with TIMES NOW, but other media outlets joined the bandwagon and upped their rhetoric against her. All this in the race for TRP ratings and viewership.

With the republicans set to regain control of the house in the 112^th congress after the 2010 elections it is worrisome to know that people like him, are against human rights and freedoms, are still able to be elected by the people by toying with their fears. And even more worrisome is the state of media that are misinforming the public by not giving the complete picture, when all along they should have remained balanced and fair– not biased and opportunistic.