Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A Return to the Fairness Doctrine
Why wouldn't conservatives want a return to the Fairness Doctrine, given that conservative talk-show hosts whine about domination of the airwaves and other media outlets by the "liberal media"? Such a regulation, hypothetically, would be to their advantage.
Could it be their argument is faulty, and they are benefiting from an ever-growing media presence, not to mention a virtual monopoly on talk radio, as they perpetuate the myth of victimhood and rake in the dough?
The issue is not strictly about the First Amendment, as some have claimed. It's also about profits, competition for advertising dollars and dissemination of particular political views.
Conservative pundits such as Rush Limbaugh and others of his ilk have gained a large following by validating listeners' worst instincts: scapegoating, bigotry and xenophobia, to name a few.
They are tinhorn demagogues who blame all our ills on liberals, liberals, liberals, while discouraging rebuttals and dissenting views.
Their shows are popular with a certain audience, but the popularity is based at least in part on the large number of angry, uninformed listeners.
Most of these "personalities" are not journalists; they're entertainers. But their shows are more than mere entertainment. They are megaphones for conservative values, and the hosts are mouthpieces for the Republican Party and big business.
As this is the case, equal time for opposing views should be allowed.
True First Amendment lovers would welcome this and not be threatened, and the Fairness Doctrine would allow all sides a fair hearing.
Could it be their argument is faulty, and they are benefiting from an ever-growing media presence, not to mention a virtual monopoly on talk radio, as they perpetuate the myth of victimhood and rake in the dough?
The issue is not strictly about the First Amendment, as some have claimed. It's also about profits, competition for advertising dollars and dissemination of particular political views.
Conservative pundits such as Rush Limbaugh and others of his ilk have gained a large following by validating listeners' worst instincts: scapegoating, bigotry and xenophobia, to name a few.
They are tinhorn demagogues who blame all our ills on liberals, liberals, liberals, while discouraging rebuttals and dissenting views.
Their shows are popular with a certain audience, but the popularity is based at least in part on the large number of angry, uninformed listeners.
Most of these "personalities" are not journalists; they're entertainers. But their shows are more than mere entertainment. They are megaphones for conservative values, and the hosts are mouthpieces for the Republican Party and big business.
As this is the case, equal time for opposing views should be allowed.
True First Amendment lovers would welcome this and not be threatened, and the Fairness Doctrine would allow all sides a fair hearing.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The George W. Bush Presidential Library
The George W. Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages. The library will include the following:
-The Hurricane Katrina Room, the construction of which will be delayed and mismanaged.
-The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
-The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
-The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
-The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
-The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
-The National Debt Room which is huge and has no ceiling.
-The 'Tax Cut' Room with entry only to the wealthy.
-The 'Economy Room' which is in the toilet.
-The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.
-The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
-The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
-The Supremes Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
-The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
-The 'Decider Room' complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
The museum will also have an electron microscope to help you locate the President's accomplishments. W. himself will ride his bike over periodically to clear brush and look after the grounds.
I heard John McCain wants to build a library attached to the Presidential Library, using the same faulty plans and materials. Both buildings will be built on shaky foundations. The lobby of McCain's library will feature a full-sized statue of him wearing flip-flops.
-The Hurricane Katrina Room, the construction of which will be delayed and mismanaged.
-The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything.
-The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up.
-The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.
-The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.
-The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.
-The National Debt Room which is huge and has no ceiling.
-The 'Tax Cut' Room with entry only to the wealthy.
-The 'Economy Room' which is in the toilet.
-The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes fifth tour.
-The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with shotgun gallery.
-The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.
-The Supremes Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.
-The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators.
-The 'Decider Room' complete with dart board, magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.
The museum will also have an electron microscope to help you locate the President's accomplishments. W. himself will ride his bike over periodically to clear brush and look after the grounds.
I heard John McCain wants to build a library attached to the Presidential Library, using the same faulty plans and materials. Both buildings will be built on shaky foundations. The lobby of McCain's library will feature a full-sized statue of him wearing flip-flops.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Zor and Zam
(Bill Chadwick and John Chadwick)
The king of Zor, he called for war
And the king of Zam, he answered.
They fashioned their weapons one upon one
Ton upon ton, they called for war at the rise of the sun.
Out went the call to one and to all
That echoed and rolled like the thunder.
Trumpets and drums, roar upon roar
More upon more.
Rolling the call of "Come now to war."
Throughout the night they fashioned their might
With right on the side of the mighty.
They puzzled their minds plan upon plan
Man upon man
And at dying of dawn the great war began.
They met on the battlefield banner in hand.
They looked out across the vacant land.
And they counted the missing, one upon one,
None upon none.
The war it was over before it begun.
Two little kings playing a game.
They gave a war and nobody came.
And nobody came.
And nobody came.
And nobody came.
And nobody came.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
True Love
Is there any reason to believe McCain will not continue Bush's deceptive and ruinous policies and that this hidebound Washington insider will bring about change?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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