The Sad State of Affairs of our "News Media"

Well, took a bit to get this into my blog, but it has really steamed me.  I first heard about it via Glenn Greenwald's twitter feed.


What happened was that on MSNBC, while interviewing a Congresswoman about the NSA and the recent critical report, MSNBC and Andrea Mitchell interrupted the interview with - news of Justin Beiber's arrest and court hearing.  Yes, that's right.  You can easily find the video online - here's a good one.


First - are Americans so apathetic and dumbed down that we actually consider Bieber to be more important than the NSA scandal?  Well, looks like MSNBC thinks so.  And look at most of the news programs... too much "pop culture", celebrity scandals (they were all over the 'Duck Dynasty' controversy) and such.  I don't know if there has been any dedicated program which has really looked at the issues involved with the NSA spying.  And as I may have said before on this blog, I can remember a dedicated news program about the Pentagon Papers with reporters giving  the arguments for both the NYT and WP and also the government.  Where is that coverage today?


Second - I wondered about this and some commenters on different uploads of the MSNBC video did as well - was this really to be a distraction from the issue at hand?  I wondered about this particularly since the report they were talking about was critical of the NSA. 


So people - wake up!  Demand decent coverage of this and other critical issues.  Search for good information.  I know that can be hard to find, but search we must.   And let's get our priorities straight and insist the news media get theirs straight as well. 

The real sentiments of the 1%?

Well, what have we here? I have heard of the letter by venture capitalist Tom Perkins just published in the Wall Street Journal.  What an outrageous read.  Here's a story about it.  Oh dear; does he really think all his riches are in jeopardy?  I'm guessing they are not.

Don't let him/them get away with this!  If there is a class war - it's the 1% waging war against the rest of us.  If you do any reading on the subject of income inequality, I think you'll find it's clear that the 1 %ers  have used every advantage they have to influence things to go their way.  I hope everyone remembers the outrage over "Citizens United"; let's see if efforts to amend the Constitution to address this will ever come to fruition.  That's just the tip of things, however.  If one looks around, it's pretty easy to see tricks, ploys, and yes, policies leading to economic disempowerment of so many.

He vents against those in San Francisco protesting the Google buses.  Well, I don't begrudge them being frustrated at seeing such a blatant symbol of elite privilege as they're priced out of their own neighborhoods.  And he vents against the Occupy Movement.  Really?  A very peaceful movement with good ideas percolating that was all but squashed by "the powers that be." 

Certainly, I don't believe in violence, but I do feel that we 99%ers MUST find ways to unite and work toward some common goals leading toward more empowerment.  We've let ourselves be divided for too long.  It's time to join hands and look for ways to work together, move forward together, challenge the system and make real progress for everyone. 

Smoke and Mirrors

No, I didn't watch Obama's speech outlining WH reaction to reports prompted by NSA spying revelations.  I'm not disappointed I missed it.


I wasn't expecting much in the way of meaningful reform (I was wishing anyway, though) and what was posited was pretty cosmetic and had no real teeth. For a good analysis, read Glenn Greenwald's article for The Guardian here.  He did a fine job and it was good to see him writing at The Guardian. 


Take some time and peruse the comments, too.  Some of them are quite good.  One poster wanted to know what we can do. First, people need to wake up.  As I've said many times, I cannot believe there's no great outrage about this.  Second, there needs to be some way to collectively organize to really have an effect.  We must not let the issue "go away."  We must let them know we will not be satisfied with cosmetic reforms, but only with real change and real privacy protections. 


I've always believed in prayer and that might be a good start.  But let's remember a saying of my one (late) office mate.  He was also an ordained minister and he would say, "You have to put feet on your prayers."  in this case, we definitely need to find ways to do that.

JFK and New Year's Countdown

Happy New Year to everyone!  If you've read the post title you may be wondering what the two have in common.

Late last night, er, early this morning, I got to watch a replay of the ceremony in Dallas commemorating the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination.  I'd wanted to see it as I was eager to hear David McCullough's remarks.

He recited many JFK quotes and this snippet really hit me:  "I look forward to an America which commands respect throughout the world, not only for its strength, but for its civilization as well."

Why did this quote hit home for me?  Well, maybe I'm just being a curmudgeon now that I'm over - well, you can guess  what age I might mean - but what I saw last night (and have been seeing) on the tube - well, I just have to shake my head.  I tried a couple of channels having countdowns in NYC.  Sorry, but what passes for humor these days just leaves me cold.  There was also one snippet of a musical performance or video, whatever, that I caught before I switched channels. I found it pretty tasteless.  Oh, and NBC - when that last minute of the year comes, I want to see the ball fall, not your 'personalities'!!!

So when I heard Mr. McCullough speak those words, my recent viewing experience immediately came to mind.  What kind of civilization are we becoming?  I thought the arts were to inspire, to lift up.  I won't even say what I think of some of the "art" stuff - popular culture or what have you - around these days. And humor?  We all like to laugh, right?  But so much of the humor these days is either trashy or mean.

If we want to command respect for our civilization, surely we need to elevate our arts, humor, public discussions.  I wonder if people are now so far removed from the kind of art and discussion that elevates that they've forgotten or don't know what it can be like.  President and Mrs. Kennedy did much to support the arts during his administration.  But this needs to continue both at the official and grassroots levels.

So stand up, people.  If we support better art, humor, discussion, maybe we'll actually get more of it.

An Open Letter to Federal Judge William Pauley III

There are hardly words to express how appalling I find your ruling that NSA bulk spying is legal and constitutional.

I'm tempted to ask if you've been living in a cave.  If you've read anything about the NSA spying revelations from documents provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden, you should have plainly seen that these programs are not about anti-terrorism, but about control and economics.  A private citizen doing what they've been doing would probably be accused of stalking, at the very least.

When you took office, did you not swear to defend our Constitution?  It seems that now you're intent on shredding it.  You seem to be disdainful of privacy.  Privacy is what makes our society and our democracy work.  It is vital for humans, for citizens! I think you've forgotten that you're supposed to serve us - "We, the People" - remember?

I, for one, am furious that the NSA is doing this.  I think of all of those tax dollars spent on spying when there are so many better uses for them.  I am furious that we are all considered targets - with no probable cause.  And I am furious that we're not all marching in the streets; don't people see through that "anti-terrorism" propaganda?

I hope that groups and individuals will stay strong and on the case.  We must let everyone know we are not in the least happy with what has been done in secret in our names. Shame on you for not standing up for the privacy rights of ordinary citizens; something even the U. N. is beginning to recognize.  Shame on you for buying NSA propaganda.  And shame on you for not standing up for our Constitution and laws.

Great Ruling

I'm somewhat buoyed by the ruling today by Federal Judge Richard Leon.  In it he says the bulk collection of phone record metadata by the NSA is more than likely unconstitutional - a violation of the 4th Amendment!

Here is a link to The Guardian article on this important story.  Judge Leon describes the technology involved as "almost-Orwellian."  He also expressed doubts about the efficacy of such a program.

Edward Snowden hailed the decision (see here), as have some in Congress and spokespeople for civil liberties groups. Add me to the list!  This is an important first step in regaining some sanity in to privacy practices.

But that's what it is, of course, a first step.  This case and others must work their way through the courts.  We, in the meantime, must continue to be vigilant, let them know we are still watching, and let them know we are looking for meaningful action on this.

Still today, hats off to a courageous Federal Judge.  God bless you and protect you. 

In Solidarity With Fast Food Workers

Today there were walkouts by fast food workers in many cities.  We need to stand in solidarity with them.  In the current economy, the wages most are now paid are just not enough to support families, let alone lift anyone out of poverty even if working full-time hours.  A single person would even barely get by.

Some unsympathetic people say these jobs were not designed to support families.  Well, maybe not. But with the economy the way it is, especially the lack of well-paying jobs, make such jobs the only option for some to support themselves and their families.  The minimum wage has not kept pace with inflation.  I'd really like to see some of those who reject paying these folks a living wage do these jobs for the minimum wage now being paid. I went through the comments at The Guardian's story on this.  I was pretty appalled at the way some commenters cast all kind of aspersions on the one lady interviewed and on other workers.  Oh, they're just not worth $15.00 an hour (and that was mild!).  Well, I stand with those who feel if you work full time, you should be able to support your family.  I also feel that raising the minimum wage would be beneficial to the economy, not detrimental.  If these workers have more disposable income, they can purchase more and not have to be subsidized by having to use food stamps and other aid programs.

To read about these latest protests you can visit either or both of these links:

1) the NPR story - including the news that McDonald's is buying a new corporate jet, and other links to some interesting data.  But beware of that free-market apologist I guess they felt they had to include

2) The Guardian story

Let's stand with these hard-working employees and protesters and start lifting each other up.  That should help us all in the long run.

UPDATE 12/10:

Oh my, it must be good to be a CEO - at McDonald's especially.  This story highlights 10 corporations whose CEO hourly pay tops average workers' pay by the highest ratios.  No wonder there's such a growing gap between the top 1% and the rest of us!