The Sunday funnies
I do not consider myself a political junkie. In these perilous times, however, it would be folly to insulate oneself from knowledge of current events. The competence-—usually lack thereof-—of politicians affects everyone.
One source is the Sunday morning news programs. Yesterday I tuned into “Meet the Press,” where the hideous mug of Dick Cheney was seen spinning out one lie after another. So I switched. A few minutes later the shooter who couldn’t shoot straight was still at it. And on and on and on. Cheney occupied the entire hour! And this the day before the 9/11 commemoration.
Why was this travesty allowed to occur? Apparently Tim Russert did ask a few tough questions, but Cheney (probably rehearsed) easily evaded them.
What about the idea of speaking truth to power? Here is what I think has happened to our sorry journalist profession. For many years, journalists, acting on their well-documented liberal beliefs, gave special treatment to Democratic politicians. Then, especially after 9/11, they became sensitive to criticism about their views, and began to lean over backwards to be nice to Republicans. In other words they have been behaving like the pathetic Tony Blair, who was first Clinton’s poodle and now heels on Bush's command.
Another factor is the wealth of leading journalists. They live in fancy suburbs and send their children to schools with those of other powerful people. If their jobs should fail, they may count on assuming other positions in the complex of lobbying, foundations, and government cheerleading in general. Much of this happens in the marvelous world of Inside the Beltway, almost completely insulated from the American people.
At all events I have new names for the news programs. There is ”Deface the Nation” with Bob Shifty. A younger image appears in “This Weakling” with George Staphylococcus. At least the “McLaugh-in Group” is brief-—only half an hour. The leader is of course “Meet the Depressed” with Tim Rustbelt.
One source is the Sunday morning news programs. Yesterday I tuned into “Meet the Press,” where the hideous mug of Dick Cheney was seen spinning out one lie after another. So I switched. A few minutes later the shooter who couldn’t shoot straight was still at it. And on and on and on. Cheney occupied the entire hour! And this the day before the 9/11 commemoration.
Why was this travesty allowed to occur? Apparently Tim Russert did ask a few tough questions, but Cheney (probably rehearsed) easily evaded them.
What about the idea of speaking truth to power? Here is what I think has happened to our sorry journalist profession. For many years, journalists, acting on their well-documented liberal beliefs, gave special treatment to Democratic politicians. Then, especially after 9/11, they became sensitive to criticism about their views, and began to lean over backwards to be nice to Republicans. In other words they have been behaving like the pathetic Tony Blair, who was first Clinton’s poodle and now heels on Bush's command.
Another factor is the wealth of leading journalists. They live in fancy suburbs and send their children to schools with those of other powerful people. If their jobs should fail, they may count on assuming other positions in the complex of lobbying, foundations, and government cheerleading in general. Much of this happens in the marvelous world of Inside the Beltway, almost completely insulated from the American people.
At all events I have new names for the news programs. There is ”Deface the Nation” with Bob Shifty. A younger image appears in “This Weakling” with George Staphylococcus. At least the “McLaugh-in Group” is brief-—only half an hour. The leader is of course “Meet the Depressed” with Tim Rustbelt.
posted by Dyneslines at 7:25 AM
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