dagblog - Comments for "Spinning the revolution"

As for Canada, no, we're

acanuck — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:24:19 +0000

As for Canada, no, we're happy being a monarchy. Thanks for inquiring.

I got it. NPR is

acanuck — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:22:20 +0000

I got it. NPR is Washington-based, just like (obviously) the Post and AP's capital bureau. I think there is something about the proximity to power that causes people to absorb, then channel, the conventional wisdom handed down by those they assume to be "in the know" if not their actual betters. It's that Washington "bubble" Obama promised he'd try to escape from time to time. (Not often enough, clearly.)

And I certainly hope you

SleepinJeezus — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:31:07 +0000

In reply to I'm sure she would. I'm sure

And I certainly hope you understand my attempt at irony here.

Mara Liasson is (IMHO) extremely proficient at legitimizing her political opinions (usually Reaganesque) as common doctrine by using terms "People are saying..." or "experts believe..." or "the more mainstream view is offered by John Bolton..."

It's insipid and requires, as you say, vigilance on the part of the listener to not allow these asshats to shape your worldview when they pretend to merely be reporting about it.

BTW... Will Canada ever succeed as a democracy? Some experts suggest that they suffer for lack of a legitimately conservative Tea Party Movement, while others think it's the LaBatt's that stands between them and enlightenment.

I'm sure she would. I'm sure

acanuck — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:05:57 +0000

In reply to If Mara Liasson from NPR were

I'm sure she would. I'm sure they do. Consider that a badge of honor.

If Mara Liasson from NPR were

SleepinJeezus — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:03:37 +0000

In reply to Thanks for the comments,

If Mara Liasson from NPR were here, she'd tell you that your concerns fall outside the mainstream of political thought on the matter. ;O)

Thanks for the comments,

acanuck — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:48:40 +0000

In reply to Spinning the revolution

Thanks for the comments, folks, but this post wasn't really about Egypt. It was about what now passes for journalism, and how readers need to inoculate themselves against its noxious effects. I can't emphasize this enough: READ CRITICALLY. Not just articles about Egypt. Everything.

Overworked reporters and editors are always hard-pressed to find a fresh, new angle. I sympathize (been there, done that). But far too often, the result is worthless drivel. And if they also try (as many feel compelled) to accommodate the political/ideological leanings of their publisher/owner, it is likely to be total bullshit.

An obvious first rule: Read beyond the headline and the lead, to the body of the story. The headline should accurately reflect the lead. Even more important, the writer should provide evidence that what the lead says is true. Like actual quotes, from actual named people. And those quotes should say exactly what the reporter paraphrases them as saying.

Don't accept the lame "sources say" and be very skeptical of statements by "experts" or "analysts" from think tanks you've never heard of. Or even ones you've heard of; many are just lobbyists in academic clothing.

I've harped on this before. Two examples, for your reading pleasure:

http://dagblog.com/business/decline-fall-plunge-and-demise-journalism-3169

http://dagblog.com/world-affairs/irans-nukes-its-not-just-centrifuges-are-spinning-903

Like I said, question everything you read or hear from the media, regardless of how authoritative the source claims to be. Sometimes the bullshit is fairly innocuous (like this Washington Post story). Other times, it's a deliberate attempt to mislead by people with malicious agendas.

I caught Dem Now! on the

Donal — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:11:35 +0000

In reply to Spinning the revolution

I caught Dem Now! on the radio this morning. This was the best article:

“The Great Tragedy is Obama Chose Not to Hold Out His Hand”: Robert Fisk on the Gap Between U.S. Rhetoric and Action in Egyptian Uprising

To be consistent with the

NCD — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:51:47 +0000

In reply to Spinning the revolution

To be consistent with the neo-con/WashPost/Republican principles of 'spreading God's gift of Freedom' perhaps we need to invade Egypt, dismiss the police and Army, ban Mubarek's party, have a couple of elections, and then turn the place over to whoever has the strongest militia and the backing of Iran.

Or maybe we should mind our own business and let Egyptians decide, with coaxing from Europeans, who may be more trustworthy to give good guidance as their governments are not in thrall to the Israel lobby.

You need to study history

Verified Atheist — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:36:44 +0000

In reply to Learn, think be

You need to study history just a little more. Start with how the Shah in Iran gained power in the first place, and consider how that led to the current theocracy. While you're at it, study up on current events and then tell me who "Hisbula" is. :P (I hate to be a spelling Nazi, but some misspellings are so atrocious that they ought to be a capital offense.)

Egypt's move towards a

Beetlejuice — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:28:28 +0000

In reply to Spinning the revolution

Egypt's move towards a democracy is a pipe dream. Mubarak has kept the political field void of rhetoric to secure his hold over Egypt. There may be lots of talk about a move towards democracy today, however who has the political power with the support of the military to lead such a task? The revolt failed to have a group ready to take charge if they succeeded...they're leaderless. That makes them easy targets for reprisals at a later date. It is hard to call a mob, regardless of size, a revolt. A revolt has forsight of what will occur after they overthrow the political powers..a mob just gathers to shout out their greivaces to those who act as if they care because a mob is has very little power to force their will. The compromise will allow some other power group to lead, but the issues that started the "revolt" will still be there without a fix to satisfy the public. So what was the purpose of it all? What was solved that makes Egypt better?