Archive for April 9, 2009
Quick Thoughts on Ed Schultz Subbing for Keith Olbermann
Ed Schultz subbed for Keith Olbermann tonight and, in my opinion, he was pretty bad. He was shrill; during an interview with Tom Tancredo he seemed to be uninformed about immigration issues and for God’s sake, he agreed to have Al Sharpton on as a representative of the African-American community in a wide-ranging discussion about Obama and the tactics of Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
I had hoped that someone, like Schultz, would finally look MSNBC bookers in the eye and insist that, surely, there are representatives of the African-American community – up and coming, fresh, articulate people – who could come on in place of worn-out Al (not to mention Jessie Jackson).
And what’s with the never ending need to prove you’re “fair” by featuring two conservatives to “balance” the one liberal? Ed – bring that up ol’ boy. Turn it around. And how in the world can four people have a decent discussion over the course of three minutes? Work on that too. You’re all for change, right?
My sense is that Schultz is drunk on his newfound success but that he isn’t very savvy as to the ways of corporate media. I question whether he can avoid becoming another same old same old. Seems to me that if he had a vision as to how to bring about “change,” he’d have implemented some of those changes today.
We’ll see.
“Fox Business News” Confirms, Once Again, That It’s a Farce
Ah yes, some things never change, and never will.
I spent five years documenting the fact that the “business news” on Fox “News” has, for all intents and purposes, nothing whatsoever to do with business. Fox’s “business” is about promoting the right wing agenda, which I think is pretty much an accepted fact these days. So I wasn’t surprised when I saw this: “Fox Business Website Publishes Press Release From Radical Anti-Abortion[ist] Randall Terry.”
Some “business news” huh?
As for Terry, here are some interesting tidbits about his “family values:” “Both of Terry’s adopted daughters became pregnant outside of marriage; one later converted to Islam. In 2004, Terry’s son Jamiel, adopted at age eight, came out of the closet and wrote an article for Out Magazine*. Terry responded by disowning him.”
(* The article, published in May, 2004, is no longer available.)
Republicans Get Serious About Actually Doing Something for the Country
That’s right. The Republicans are all hot to amend the Constitution to – one guess, don’t peek – protect your right to spank your kid!
Yep, the Party of No has finally found something it can say yes to. Woohoo.
Given this foolishness, is it any wonder that only 38% of respondents to the latest Pew poll have confidence in Republican congressional leaders, whereas 70% have confidence in Obama?
For Ocean Lovers
The Marine Conservation Society (UK) recently released a report titled, “Silent Seas.” (It can viewed here.) The report, “documents the damaging effects of over-fishing, costal pollution and inadequate habitat protection, and warms that without radical mitigation,” the seas could suffer “ecological disaster.”
They also posted an accompanying 6 minute video on YouTube. It can be viewed here.
I’m going to peruse the report at another time but I did watch the video. If you love the ocean, you’ll love the video. It is heartbreaking though to see the numbers in terms of how many fish we not only kill, but outright throw away ever year.
Baby Steps
“President Obama just announced that the General Services Administration will purchase 17,600 new fuel-efficient government vehicles by June 1, using funds from the stimulus package. All purchases will be made from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler in an attempt to revive the American auto industry.”
It’s tragic that the steps President Carter was taking in the late 1970′s to encourage alternative forms of energy were dismissed after he left office and then ignored for 30 years.
I remember those days. My parents proudly had solar panels installed on the roof of their house. They’re still there today – 30-year-old reminders of a road not taken.
Last Supper
What would you eat for your last supper? Looks like Timothy McVeigh had a chocolate/blueberry milkshake for his.
Credit Unions At Risk Too
Is your money in a credit union and do you think having it there is safer than having it in a bank? I do and I did, until I read this.
