Sad News from the Osterley Times
December 14, 2010
I just got the sad news today that my favorite lefty blogger, Kel, from The Osterley Times died suddenly in late October. I counted him as a friend, though until today I never even knew his gender. It never seemed to matter.
He was a champion of truth. This is an important distinction. Much of politics today consists of evasion and spin. If you can’t even agree on the facts, and to meet the issues head on, then there is nothing to be gained by debate except partisan maneuvering. Kel answered all reasonable comments, and never backed down from a debate until it was done.
I feel much the same now as I did when Tim Russert died. Many times in recent months, I’ve wondered as to his thoughts on the day’s politics. The thought that he’s not here to have them removes much of the luster from tomorrows headlines.
Update: Thanks to Jason who alerted me to Kel’s true identity, Gerrard Kelly. Looking further into things it appears that he had a brain aneurysm and was found unconscious behind his door several days later by a friend. He later died in the hospital surrounded by family. His political views were no secret, but I imagine he kept his writing separate because it would not mix well with his career. A couple of articles on his life and death:
How Dumb Should the Media Be?
December 10, 2009
The question of how to report to an often ignorant audience is a serious one. Each network has their own style, and as Jon Stewart illustrates in the above clip, they tend to set their sights on the lowest common denominator. This does the people a disservice. It gives viewers the impression that their ignorance is ok, the norm, or even desirable.
From a ratings standpoint, this makes sense. People who are more afraid of appearing ignorant than being ignorant flock to such shows. They are easily directed and stirred to action. This spreads not only the ignorance, but the desire in other media to appeal to this audience. The result is a saturation of media with dumb content, while creating a divide between between itself and the more intellectual providers that becomes too intimidating to cross.
We should endeavor to provide content that is a bit beyond the average viewer, to encourage them to better themselves, and to give them what they came for: information they didn’t already know.
Dirty Public Official
November 16, 2009
If you’ve ever wondered who is at fault for the problems in this country, see the above video for a prime example (no not Maddow, she’s just snarky). I can’t imagine why Steve Buyer went on her show. He must have thought he was a good enough lier that the shame wouldn’t show through, or that he could talk his way through any questions that might come up. What a disgusting thing public service has come to.
Iran
October 11, 2009
Iran is an odd case in international relations. We’ve all gotten used to the regular media firestorms surrounding the nation. They begin with the implication that Iran is moving forward in some way with plans to launch a nuclear attack against Israel. This is followed by a lot of fearmongering by the Jewish Lobby in the media, some aggressive talk by Iran, talks with Russia and China, and ends with the international community threatening Iran and finally giving them some small boon in exchange for promises of being nice.
What I find so odd about this ritual is that it benefits all sides to continue to do it as regularly as the public will support. The media gets ratings, the politicians woo supporters, Israel gets more pity money and free weapons from the U.S., Russia and China strengthen their trade agreements, and Iran gets some trade concessions. All parties increases the fanaticism of their followers.
I’m of the belief that Iran has nuclear weapons, got them from the Russians, and has had them for a long time. I think all of the major powers know it, but keep it quiet because they like the current system and know the revelation would lead to panic and war.
Juan Cole recently wrote an article entitled “Top Ten Things You Think You Know About Iran That Are Not True” A few choice excerpts:
Belief: Iran is aggressive and has threatened to attack Israel, its neighbors or the US
Reality: Iran has not launched an aggressive war in modern history (unlike the US or Israel), and its leaders have a doctrine of “no first strike.” This is true of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as of Revolutionary Guards commanders.
Belief: Iran is a militarized society bristling with dangerous weapons and a growing threat to world peace.
Reality: Iran’s military budget is a little over $6 billion annually. Sweden, Singapore and Greece all have larger military budgets. Moreover, Iran is a country of 70 million, so that its per capita spending on defense is tiny compared to these others, since they are much smaller countries with regard to population. Iran spends less per capita on its military than any other country in the Persian Gulf region with the exception of the United Arab Emirates.
Belief: Isn’t the Iranian regime irrational and crazed, so that a doctrine of mutally assured destruction just would not work with them?
Actuality: Iranian politicians are rational actors. If they were madmen, why haven’t they invaded any of their neighbors? Saddam Hussein of Iraq invaded both Iran and Kuwait. Israel invaded its neighbors more than once. In contrast, Iran has not started any wars. Demonizing people by calling them unbalanced is an old propaganda trick. The US elite was once unalterably opposed to China having nuclear science because they believed the Chinese are intrinsically irrational. This kind of talk is a form of racism.
I’m not a fan of Iran. I don’t like the part they play in this cycle any more than those of the rest of the contributors. My point in this is not to support Iran, but to end a cycle of fear and kickbacks, that while it may be beneficial in the short term to the top players, is bad for the future of the world at large.
Mancow Waterboarded
May 22, 2009
Mancow is a conservative radio host who has been critical of waterboarding. This guy is a bit too much of a publicity hound for me to consider him to have any serious convictions, but this is huge in a symbolic way. Nobody makes windbags like conservative hosts, from Limpbaugh toCoulter, to Hannity (who actually volunteered to be waterboarded when challenged by Olbermann, and then chickened out, even after an offer of two thousand dollars a second donated to a charity for the troops(video below)). I’ve been waiting for one of them to finally have the balls to do it. Mancow made it six seconds. The bar has been set. This video should circulate until the big names either try it or change their tune. It is one thing to think of torture as ok. As much as I disagree with the position, it is valid. To claim we are just splashing some water on their faces, and that it isn’t torture, while being so obviously terrified of it is hypocrisy of the worst kind.
Update: Olberman came through! He donated ten grand because Mancow manned up were Hannity couldn’t.