September 06, 2005

• I saw the David Brooks comment when he said it -- I wasn't all that surprised. Mind you, I don't see Brooks as a Bush apologist or GOP hack so much as a staunchly traditional Republican -- his values don't always square up, and the man can put together a coherent argument rather than push talk-points. An apologist takes no regard of simple fact. But Brooks was clearly offended by the government's conduct, as indeed, everyone should be. Is this the saving of American journalism? We'll see in the next couple of days -- if the focus can be maintained and kept, perhaps. As outlined by the Globe reporter in the same PBS interview, the information-bombs yet to come -- the exact death toll, the financial toll, and the infrastructure and supply implications for the rest of the country, this concentration of focus shouldn't be too difficult. There aren't any stories that are bigger or more important that can wipe this off the page.
• No, it won't last.
• I'm afraid Chyren is right. Rove is firming up the talking points even as we speak, and by week's end it will be like nothing ever happened.
• As a journalist who was fired less than a week before Katrina, I wonder if the problems with American journalism were all my fault. Now that I'm gone it's got some balls again. Sorry, American public, I am responsible for all of your problems with the media.
• So YOU'RE the one who took my Mishal Husain away? THAT'S IT. I'M COMIN' TO GETCHA! START RUNNIN'!
• I'd like to believe it. Maybe I will.
• I haven't seen the media's balls drop yet. What tough questions have the asked Bush? or McClellan? or anybody in the administration? So far, I've only scene them toughen up between themselves. Maybe they're psyching themselves up for the big game. I don't know. But it too early to ask if they'll keep it up, since they haven't started it in the first place.
• I was surprised to see how often the Bush-kissing-homeless-kids was played and shown over and over. I expected it a lot, but it got even more. So maybe they're just riding on the coattails of the angry mayor, etc.
• Short answer: no
• The bit about them all -- journos and politicos alike -- being beholden to the same big corporate interests is what makes this continuing unlikely. But it may continue in some form until the current lot of politicians is swept out of office in 2006 and 2008.
• I think it's most likely a temporary blip of courage, fueled by the outrage of all those TV anchors seeing the colossal screwup firsthand. When they calm down, and have the chance to sit in a long meeting with some corporate VPs, they'll be "set straight" about which side their bread is buttered on. However, as crass as this may sound, there is hope for the news establishment, but only if the death toll in New Orleans is some magical multiple of that of 9/11. There's a threshold in there, but I can't even speculate on what it is. Perhaps it needs five figures. Only something that size is likely to fuel enough indignation for the long-term. And in this case, the polity wrapping itself in the flag won't make it feel much better.
• It won't last. The press is also reporting the administration line about "playing the blame game." Nice spin; if you ask questions about the debacle in New Orleans, you're playing politics.
• I've seen people talking about Heraldo Rivera and how this is a "return to the old Heraldo" who was a good journalist and I just don't see it. I saw Heraldo being his same old overdramatic, making himself seem like he was the hero, Heraldo. It sounded just like when he got in trouble during the early part of the Iraq war when he was making it sound like he was on the front lines when he was really miles and miles away from it. There is no hope for corporate news. We have 3 24 hour news channels (plus Headline News which is just halfhour news over and over) you would think that one of those channels could devote at least one hour a week to some truly honest, non-senesationalized news reporting.
• Great bit on Salon today about Geraldo staging his "Saving a woman" for the cameras. "That's the second time he brought her here," one of the doctors tells me, nodding toward Geraldo. "What?" "They did two takes. Geraldo made that poor woman walk from the Fox News van to the heliport twice. Both times carrying her dog." "Are you serious?" I ask. He says he is.
• You guys are harshing my mellow.
• To those who answer 'no': if things return to normal it will be because we let it. A lot of things that mainstream America does not normally see or think about have been stirred up and revealed in the past few days. Don't let it settle down. Send all of the articles and blog-links that point out the lies, spin, and failings of the Feds to your Republican relatives, co-workers, etc. Make them look. Ask them questions and make them think. Wouldn't it be ironic (and horrible) if the number of deaths was roughly equivalent to the number of deaths in Iraq?
• Hey look, Bush is leading an investigation in to the handling of the disaster! Think he'll find himself guilty?
• I hate to be a glass-half-empty kind of guy, but I haven't seen the words "dereliction of duty" or "gross negligence" in the headlines. Great bit on Salon today about Geraldo staging his "Saving a woman" for the cameras. I apologize if this has already been posted in another hurricane thread, but Bush's visit contained at least two staged events. I haven't been watching TV, so I don't know how much coverage these got. Anyway, here's a comic I just thought of for no reason.
• Doubt it, Zanshin. He'd find the real killers OJ is looking for before he finds himself guilty.
• Thanks, smallish bear, for the Penny Arcade comic. As always, even though Penny Arcade is mostly about games it is always about human nature.
• Initially, all of this was starting to make me sick. Now, it's beginning to evolve into anger. I don't think Katrina has saved American journalism, and doubt it will - save for a grand miracle. Perhaps I view it as a small spark, and hopefully there is some highly combustible fuel near it. The thought of staged photo ops (whether it be Geraldo or Chimpy) concerning this tragedy is so disgusting (if indeed true). I will keep my glass at the bar - - ready to be filled...
• This might have a good effect on the journalistic climate- much too early to tell. Too bad the article, once you get past the title, turns into a series of lame cheapshots at American jorunalism and America in general- even for OpEd this is poor. For someone writing for the BBC and stationed in LA, he has an almost cartoonish concept of America- seems to think Geraldo is a reprsentative of the best and brightest of our media. I mean really: "Giant corporations own the networks, and Washington politicians rely on them and their executives to fund their re-election campaigns across the 50 states." That sounds more like a stoned 15 year old at an anti-WTO rally than someone who works for the BBC. The extent of his research seems to be finding out how many states we have (apparently re-election campaigns in DC are funded in some other way)
• "Has Katrina Saved American Journalism?" I'd be tickled to believe it. But since Fortune 500 corporations still own the vast majority of American media, I remain skeptical.
• drjimmy, perhaps I missed something, but what part of, "Giant corporations own the networks, and Washington politicians rely on them and their executives to fund their re-election campaigns across the 50 states," isn't true?
• Don't lose hope people. I can't speak for the current generation of reporters, but those of us coming up in colleges in high schools are mad and outraged too. Some of us can even express our anger intelligently. With any luck, a few of us will make it, and keep our spines. It may take a while before we're heard beyond our own campus papers, but we're coming.
• Giant corporations own the networks, and Washington politicians rely on them and their executives to fund their re-election campaigns across the 50 states. "That sounds more like a stoned 15 year old at an anti-WTO rally than someone who works for the BBC" You've got to be kidding me. What the hell isn't true about that. You'll never see the real news here. When the FCC deregulated the industry and allowed corporations to "Clear Channel", a big part of our freedom died. Wake the hell up. Ahrrrrgh, it's stupidity like this that makes me want to move to another country.
• Jon Stewart is my hero. His remarks on Katrina tonight on the Daily Show were spot on. To paraphrase, he asks "Where there problems with the rescue and recovery efforts? The short answer is yes. The long answer is YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!" Also, he says that Katrina has shown us that after nearly four years of Homeland Security's efforts towards crisis management and thwarting a terrorist attack "We're in deep shit." Yes, indeedy.
• We're in deep shit, indeed. All we need within the next two months is another major hurricane or a terrorist act. That should put us well and good in the deep shit. Ladyknight, what makes you think cage-rattlers get jobs with corporate run newspapers?
• Well, the press corps ripped Scotty a new one at today's WH briefing so hope remains alive. Even so, I'm not getting too excited yet. It's a shame that more of these briefings don't get into the public eye. It's very instructive to see what an evasive weasel McLellan really is, and by extension, his boss. Props for tonight's TDS
• To those who answer 'no': if things return to normal it will be because we let it. We? I'll tell you what needs to happen if this is to have any life beyond Bush's first Q&A: a reporter has to stand up and risk being barred from the White House press room for asking a tough question. And when the question is refused or evaded or laughed at, the next reporter has to get up and demand that the democratically elected leader of the United States answer the first question before moving on. And then the next. Then the next. The press has allowed themselves to become cowed lap dogs for fear of their master's wrath. That has to stop. Now. I agree with Mr. Knickerbocker. In the meantime, this is only so much "ooh boy we're gonna get em!" pep talk among reporters. They have yet to face the enemy.
• Amen Rorschach! BTW I'm seeing a butterfly when I stare at your username
• The press has allowed themselves to become cowed lap dogs for fear of their master's wrath. That has to stop. Now. That's because the general populace has been swallowing the lap dogs's shit. That has to stop.
• All we need within the next two months is another major hurricane or a terrorist act. That should put us well and good in the deep shit. Spot on Grams. I was speaking with a close friend a month ago on the subject of "bringing America to its knees" (not that I would want this to happen, just discussing observations I've made). I insisted that it really wouldn't take so much, and he thought I was "off the rocker." Spoke again a few days ago - now he agrees with me. Rorschach, that would make for a great scene in a movie. *wishes it happens*
• White House Press Corps keeps up the pressure. While the rest of the press (with the exception of Cafferty and Olbermann) have gradually reverted to lapdog status, at least the WH press seem to be relishing turning Scotty on a spit. Let's hope they keep it up. They sound pissed.
• The whole thing makes me bulemic again. I'll save my vomit, and toss it onto the nearest 'nadless democrat I see.
• sorry, I meant REPUBLICAN. Because that was my party. Now I'll throw it on both.
• Q Scott, does the President retain confidence in his FEMA Director and Secretary of Homeland Security? MR. McCLELLAN: And again, David, see, this is where some people want to look at the blame game issue, and finger-point. We're focused on solving problems, and we're doing everything we can -- flip-flop! ongoing investigation! weapons! privileged conversations with the vice-president! for FUCK'S sake that's just a cryin' shame. Not that they have any.
• After a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Bush warned against the "blame game" as he pointed his finger: "Bureaucracy is not going to stand in the way of getting the job done for the people." His aides briefed reporters on background that "bureaucracy" of course referred to state and local officials. That night, at the White House, Bush met with congressional leaders of both parties, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi urged Bush to fire Brown. "Why would I do that?" the president replied. "Because of all that went wrong, of all that didn't go right last week," she explained. To which he answered, "What didn't go right?"
• Chyren'll kill me if I make a new hurricane thread, and this one seems as good as any to post this in. If you missed the Daily Show Monday, or couldn't pause it to read the whole graphic, the following are the ABCs of the Bush administration fiascos:

  Abu Graib Bin Laden Chalibi Deficit Enron Failure to find WMDs Halliburton Iraq John Bolton Katrina Locusts Mars Attacks North Korea Osama & Jenna Pregnancy: Osama & Jenna Queer revolt Rodents of Unusual Size Syrian War Tigers Unicyclists, Nuclear Voldemort WWIII X-rated tape: Osama & Jenna Yam Shortage Zero people left on Earth

  I don't know why they left off G. I mean...Gitmo. There, it took me about 5 seconds to think of one. Gonzales torture memo, there's another.
• And the answer is no. Katrina has not saved American journalism. Well that didn't take very long now, did it.
• On the other hand, Olbermann is keeping it up. Nice video timeline of what was said when by who.
• Fortunately, The Onion comes through to hold high the banners of American journalism. GOD OUTDOES TERRORISTS YET AGAIN Government Relief Workers Mosey In To Help
• I like the headline, Area Man Drives Food There His God-Damned Self
• That Olbermann tape should be required viewing especially for the rest of the press. It's astonishing to me how quickly and effectively the spin machine revved up and it seems to be working somewhat. It's too mad that the Feds disaster response couldn't have been as effective: it's the one thing this White House seems to know how to do. In other news, is everyone familiar with the other White House website?
• Is that the porn-site? Cuz I'm not clickin'.
• Thanks for the link kamus, I've never paid visit to that site before. It's worth it for the posters alone; some are so wrong that it's good.
• Losing New Orleans. Journalists predict the tragedy. LINK IS TO MRS. TOOL'S PAPER, BUT NOT WRITTEN BY MRS. TOOL.