There are quote and then there are quotes

In this modern age of instant communication that we live in politicos are finding it dangerous to indulge in extemporaneous speech.

Trying to act presidential during these speaking segments can and has turned, in the new lexicon, viral to the detriment of the speaker.

The latest "gaff," or was it, is attributed to presidential candidate former Gov. Mitt Romney. He was reported to have said, "I am not concerned about the very poor," but in reality the rest of the sentence was purposely omitted by the main stream media and opposition pundits.

The quote should have read, "I am not concerned with the very poor we have a safety net there. If it needs a repair, I'll fix it." However, that one part of the statement is what is all over the electronic media, print, talking heads, social media, blogs and probably will turn up in a skywriting ad.

Beside the fact that operatives, of both parties, are lurking in the background like hyenas waiting for the lions to finish the meals so they can get at the remains. If that doesn't change then candidates will have to speak from prepared statements that have been extensively vetted to rule out any misinterpretations.

Perhaps that is why the president always uses his top aide, the teleprompter when speaking. It makes for a very restricted communications exercise when the talk should be free and flowing and honest but most importantly it must be reported honestly.

The problem is the fourth estate has become so corrupted with its own political ideals and agenda that they have become incapable of reporting the truth as it is not as they want it to be.

The other big problem is that the public does not take the time or make the effort to delve into the story and read several different opinions and fact check it on the net.

Today there is a greater opportunity than ever before to avail oneself of the information glut that exists. But why then can the biased reporters of the news get away with such blatant fabrications and half truths? Again the reason is the "public" has become lazy and apathetic and will ultimately suffer the fate of millions of other people that have allowed someone else to do their thinking for them.

If this is so then the only thing to do is to go back to the prepared text that has been viewed and reviewed with no opportunity for out of context quotes without being subjected to severe criticism.

So much for free and honest speech that allowed Army general Douglas MacArthur to be one of the greatest extemporaneous speakers of all times.