Complete and Utter Control

The Walt Disney Corporation has two very successful outlets: ABC and ESPN. These are their main media outlets for broadcasting. Disney also has an eponymous network that has found some success (Hannah Montana). Just this week, ESPN announced that beginning in 2011 it will have exclusive television, radio, and digital broadcasting rights to the college football BCS games. This gives Disney huge control over sports in general. ESPN is already a massive company on its own having recently moved Monday Night Football from ABC to ESPN and rather than having a separate ABC sports division, sports broadcast on ABC is now referred to as ESPN on ABC. ESPN now broadcasts college football every night of the week aside from Monday, in which they have Monday Night Football, so it's rather moot. This control puts all other media outlets at a huge disadvantage.

Sports are big business in this country at all levels. Whether it's the professionals or collegiate, we live and breathe in this country on sports. Saturdays and Sundays during the fall are dominated by Americans watching football. I can safely say this because I have done my research for most of life on both of these days. Disney's move puts all other networks at a disadvantage. While Fox for example still broadcasts major sporting events such as the World Series, NFC football games, the occasional Super Bowl, and right now the BCS, Disney's coup further tightens their grip on sports and the advertising that goes along with it. CBS broadcasts college football (the SEC), college basketball including the NCAA tournament, and AFC football games, yet the wide variety of sports now in the hands of Disney/ABC/ESPN is staggering. Let's run through the list: NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS, college football (bowl games as well), college basketball, other college sports, and let's not forget the top sports news program ever conceived, Sportscenter. The real question is, what does this have to do with politics? A lot more than one would think. 

With increased control over the sporting world, the control spills over to advertising. Disney can control the price and what types of ads it will allow on the air. Due to their large audience for sports spanning multiple networks, advertisers are willing to pay top dollar for the sports fans attention. What else is interesting is ESPN's broadcasting of the BCS. While ESPN is a cable network that is seen in 98 million homes across the country, people are used to seeing major sporting events on local television. Access is easier for the viewer and for the broadcaster they reach a larger audience. The Rose Bowl will still be broadcast on ABC reaching far more than the 98 million ESPN reaches, yet the other BCS games, including the title game will be seen on cable only. Now for most of us, we can simply say, sucks for those who don't have cable. However, think about the control that Disney now has simply through sports broadcasting, it's staggering. Football fans made a big enough stink after Disney moved Monday Night Football from local television (ABC) to cable (ESPN). 

What makes this conversation interesting is how controlled our media truly is becoming. While not due to government regulation, (although the FCC went nuts after the 2004 Super Bowl) some might call into question why so few companies control most of the media we see. The aforementioned Disney Corporation is among an elite few companies that own a bulk of the major television channels, both local and cable. GE/Universal owns, Universal Studios, NBC and all related networks. Viacom owns CBS, MTV, VH1 and Paramount Pictures to name a few. News Corp owns Fox (TV & film) and all of its affiliates. Other major media outlets include Sony and Time Warner. These few companies make the decisions that affect how millions of people receive information and entertainment and with the right amount written on a check can decide exactly what you watch, when you watch it, and how you watch it. And you were worried about the government controlling your life. With the huge success of the Internet and its continued growth we are seeing these major corporations trying to get their hands on the Internet. News Corp for example now owns MySpace. Their reach is far and wide and will continue to groip. People in this country live, unfortunately around the television schedules set-up by these corporations. Devices like DVRs and Tivo have allowed for people to decide when they watch their programming and has put pressure on these corporations, yet little has changed. 

With the BCS soon to be a product of cable programming, the United States may very well see an increase in cable subscriptions so fans have access to the games they would have otherwise missed. Disney may very well simply be doing the bidding of cable companies nationwide, who are already screwing us royally with high costs and many headaches for us to simply consume entertainment. With only four major corporations controlling a bulk of the television and film production in the world, few are going to stand in their way. Over the years media control has become tighter as these companies have continued to eat up all different types of media. The BCS purchase is starting a scary trend that in essence could cause Americans to see something like cable television or HDTV as a mandatory utility, just a step below water and heating & air conditioning. 

These companies put out fairly rotten products in consumable media products and quite possibly have more control over Americans and their lives than any of us think. As the Internet and other digital media continue to grow, it'll be interesting to see how these corporations play a part in the development, ownership, and control of these outlets. We just always have to be mindful of what is out there and how to make sure our lives aren't dominated by some old grumpy guy in a 6300 dollar suit On that note I'm heading back to watching the Texas Tech/Oklahoma football game on ABC presented by ESPN owned by the Disney Corporation currently controlling 2/3 of the world..... until next time. 

Hillary & Republican Giddiness

“Oh joyous day!” Cried the Republican masses.

“Hillary might be out of the Senate!”

Yes folks, President-elect Obama seems to have his heart set on one Senator from New York, his former rival, Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State. It does appear that Obama has taken a page from Abraham Lincoln’s playbook, forming a “team of rivals”. If Clinton is chosen as Secretary of State, it would please those final few Clinton supporters still upset about the way the Primaries were played out and the Republicans will smile. Hillary has been a target of Republicans, possibly due to her sassy attitude, since she was simply Governor Bill Clinton’s wife. This is too much. Get her out of the Senate after only eight years AND she won’t be President? After an upsetting election season for Republicans and a party needing some reforming, this might be the best Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza gift that they could’ve received. 

This might be why, despite the ‘team of rivals’ look to the cabinet, Obama may in fact skip out on Hillary and choose, let’s say, Bill Richardson instead. Part of this may in fact be the media is just trying to drum up post-election viewers or just as they called Joe Biden as Obama’s running mate, they could be right. We know that Clinton met with Obama this week in Chicago and that a cabinet position was allegedly discussed. The Republicans are desperately hoping so. Clinton represents a power presence and voice in the Senate and while she may already be in her 60s and just a second term Senator, that hasn’t stopped those like Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd from serving well into their 90s. With Clinton chosen as Secretary of State, she would be out of the Senate come January, serve, one would think, until 2012. If Obama is re-elected and U.S. foreign policy seemingly on track, Clinton would surely be asked to serve another term. By 2016, Clinton would be turning 70 years old. Considering the scrutiny John McCain received due to his age, one can only imagine that Clinton would face similar criticism if she in fact decided to run for President. This might be the one way to stop her from running. Now if only the Republicans could figure out what to do with Sarah Palin.  

The official announcement seems likely sometime near Thanksgiving, perhaps just after and we’ll see just how excited Republicans might be. Arnold Schwarzenegger already championed the choice on ABC and just last night on Real Time with Bill Maher, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) had a grin ear-to-ear upon Maher asking her feelings on the choice. 

Clinton herself was probably even happier. She is given a role in which there is only one rather than one-hundred and has significant pull within the cabinet and foreign affairs. Just when we thought Hillary would go back to being the junior Senator from New York, this happens. Christmas may come a bit early for both, we’ll just have to sit back and enjoy the show. No one may enjoy this quite like Bill Clinton. Hillary would be sent all of the world on diplomatic missions, meetings with other heads-of-state, and leave Bill all to his lonesome… or will he? 

Until then, here is a Bushism so that we never forget just how funny our current President really is and in honor of all “Those Shameless Hacks” out there:

“Information is moving — you know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it’s also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets.” –Washington, D.C., May 2, 2007

Veteran's Day

A special thank you to all those that have served or are currently serving in the military. Without everything all of you have sacrificed we wouldn't be here today. 

It is also strange to think it has been 90 years to the day since World War I ended. 

Until next time...

What to do Without an Election to Cover....and 007 at His Finest

Tonight's "breaking news" on Larry King Live is that President-elect Obama met with President Bush at the White House today. It's humorous to see the media struggle to find headlines during that limbo before the inauguration. Barring any crisis, all breaking news refers to such mundane activities as the type of limo Obama will ride around to the code names the soon-to-be First Family will have. The real insanity begins when Obama's cabinet begins to take shape. These stories prove how desperate the news networks become after the election. Their ratings take a hit as they no longer have exciting campaign coverage to focus on. The stories bring a new definition to boring. Contrived and silly news stories begin filling the time from positive (the Obama's getting a dog) to the plain silly (McCain losing was all Palin's fault, just as it would have been all her if he had won). We, the viewers begin rolling our eyes at the ridiculousness of this. We can see CNN and Fox struggling to fill an hour of news programming. 

What became even bigger news was rumors that Obama may issue executive orders on day one. Shocking. He'll be the President. They tend to issue executive orders, it's part of the job. It's not breaking news to find out a Democrat would issue orders changing those that a Republican predecessor had issued. Hardly a page turner. Yet the same pundits that kept many of us on the edges of our seats for the past months and even years now must make these events seem as crucial and as breaking as the major events of the primary and general election seasons. Some find it necessary to discuss 2012, despite the American people feeling slightly fatigued from 2008. It is one thing for candidates to begin secretly forming committees and raising funds for a 2012 run, that's their business, just leave the news out. This was perfectly evident at those harassing everyone's favorite Alaskan, Sarah Palin, on her potential plans for 2012. Considering she had just arrived back to the Governor's office in Anchorage, I hardly think she's given it any serious thought. Although, based on her actions the final days of the campaign, she may have considered it prior to the media....anyways. Time to stay on topic. 

Personally, I use this time to unwind. I read the news daily, yes, but I stay away from the pundit driven shows. They become redundant snooze-fests, littered with overly critical analyses on why exactly Barney the dog bit a Reuters reporter. Sorry, I'd much rather read a book, continue plowing through my James Bond marathon before the new Bond film hits this week (I'm currently on the rather crappy A View to a Kill). I'm not trying to discount the importance of good political journalism for that would discount the meaning of not only this course, but a great deal of the modern study of politics. We just at times need to find other escape routes. Those commentators that support Obama will do so in such an overly pleasant manner I may vomit and the Obama haters will continue to spew off the same displeasure that Bush-haters have expressed these past years. 

It's a strange cycle we find ourselves in and for much of the new media, this is brand new. The last time we had a "new" President-elect was 2000, before "Internet 2.0" (blogs, vlogs, millions of news sites, etc.) had found its way onto our computer screens, Fox News was just gaining ground, and CNN didn't have it's magic board or hologram technology and the media are eating this up. Larry King, who began this post has turned from top celebrity interviewer to political journalist, questioning with earnest and sincerity and it's just silly. Well maybe it's not as silly as seeing a 59 year old Roger Moore duke it out with Christopher Walken in a blimp over San Francisco..... sorry, losing my train of thought to a less-than-stellar 007 adventure. However, maybe the Bond comparison is a great one for the election and post-election news coverage. The election coverage at many times is as exciting as Sean Connery's outings as 007 or even as high-octane as Daniel Craig's take on Britain's favorite spy, and now it seems as corny as Roger Moore's films. Old, outdated, silly, campy, cringe-inducing.... the list of adjectives could go on forever, but Christopher Walken just took a plunge into the Frisco Bay and it's about time to begin 007's next chapter, featuring the always stoic Timothy Dalton..... The Living Daylights. Until we meet again. Stay warm and stay happy.  

While the aforementioned Bond films have been ragged on they do feature AWESOME 80s theme songs sung by Duran Duran and A-Ha respectively. These are perhaps the best parts of each of those films. Turn off CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, click off the Drudge Report and go see Quantum of Solace this week. If anything, it'll take your mind off this election, whether you were pleased with the outcome or not. Nothing is better than a Bond movie and you know it. 

You know this is more enticing.....

It Happened

Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States. I've been supporting Senator Obama since 2004 and to see this is a dream come true. I really cannot even think of what else to say other than, "Yes we did." 

Now, let's change the country. 

On another note, I have begun to question the sanity of many people in Cobb County. A creationist has been elected to the school board who wants creationism taught in public schools. I do not believe I will be sending my future children to Cobb County schools. 

What To Do?

With election day bearing down on us (the polls open in 38 1/2 hrs), what are we going to do when this is all over? Will we continue our harsh criticisms of each other's candidates in class? It sure will be strange. Everyone seems to be suffering from campaign fatigue except for Bill Maher who on Friday declared this the best election season of his lifetime. That very well may be the case, but it's time for this to be over. Time Magazine published a wonderful article today about how much has changed over the course of this election season. Just by judging the before and after pictures of Barack Obama, you can see that this campaign season is running on fumes. Both candidates are physically and mentally exhausted. Endless events on a daily basis running from sunrise until way past sunset, with a few hours of sleep thrown in between.

 This is getting old. What else can Obama and McCain say to sway voters? They have thrown everything but the kitchen sink into this campaign, and the sink may get thrown in sometime before polls close Tuesday evening.  Now I love politics as much as the next political junkie, but there gets a point when you have to give your drug a rest. Peace and tranquility is what this junkie needs now. An endless supply of partisan bull is exactly the kind of medicine a madman would want at this point. For those of us that have been riding this train since the beginning, it's time to pull it into the station. Let's not throw anymore coal into the engine. This seems unlikely. There will be long lines, accusations of voter fraud, purging of voters, illegal activities on all sides. No one wants this to go past the wee hours on November 5th. If you do, please feel free to invest in Georgia's new private mental health facilities, you could use them. 

Personally, I'm looking forward to a relaxing month of December. Close out this semester of school, plow through my ever-growing reading list and sit back and enjoy. No more late night conference calls, fewer emails, and hopefully just wonderful stories about American democracy holding up another bizarre election process. Face it, you're tired too and just won't admit it. How many fruitless debates can you get into with a friend/colleague over this election? Unless you thrive on anger, I suggest you join me in calling for a peaceful return to class on Wednesday (and in this class's case, Thursday) and begin to discuss something other than the ridiculous crap thrown around in the past two years. I for one, enjoy my hair not either falling out or turning grey by the time I'm 25. Until then folks, enjoy tomorrow and Tuesday and may we all come back together as Americans when this concludes. Perhaps then we can all look at the monumental challenges ahead of us, put our hands together and get to work. That's what we do, it's democratic, it's American, and that's something that makes us all so proud. 

Until then...

One Week Remains. . .

What has seemed like an eternity will soon come to an end (or at least we hope). One week remains, as of tomorrow, in this election season. Just as in the case of previous elections, everyone is feeling fatigued, even with the candidates fighting it out this final week. Many have simply written the campaign off, taking the assumption that Barack Obama will indeed be elected next week. However, there is still a week left, and that's a long time in politics. We have seen interested events occur just today with the conviction of Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens (R). That right there has changed the dynamics of this election, and could in fact help the Democrats secure the magic number of 60 and create a filibuster proof Senate. 

So this brief post is a reminder. We are all tired (myself especially), yet we have more campaigning, and punditing, and analyzing, and BS to go. More talk about socialism, clothes, Bill Ayers, taxes, blah, blah, blah. It will be painful, yet we will survive. We will get angry, but we will somehow survive. Even if your candidate isn't elected next week. . . we will survive. So please don't do anything rash before or after the election, it's not worth it. Grab a beer, a cigarette, hell, even a joint if it means getting through this final week and waking up November 5th ready to move on to the next thing that consumes our lives. 

2008: A Strange Odyssey....and it continues

With still over two months to go, 2008 has proven to be one of the strangest years in recent memory. All one has to do is see that the Tampa Bay Rays are in the World Series and one scratches their head in amazement. What has gone on here?

The year started with a bang. Our New Year's hangover hadn't faded quite yet when Barack Obama stormed out of nowhere to win the Iowa Caucus and those all over took a second look at his campaign and wondered, can stop the Clinton Machine? We trudged through the winter and then spring as Obama and Hillary duked it out in a strange, bizarre, and almost insane primary contest. It was beginning to look like one of those college football games that heads into overtime. Neither team can close out the deal as both fire in touchdowns left and right. The game continues. No ties in this match-up, someone eventually had to win. I'd become Pavlov's dog watching CNN on the night of a primary contest, and just by hearing the CNN's jingle they played whenever results came in caused my focus to shift directly to my TV preparing for the results to be read by bearded wonder Wolf Blitzer. It dragged on. Finally on a warm night in late June, Barack Obama sealed the deal. The young, freshman Senator from Illinois who captivated the attention of so many just four years prior as a state senator speaking at the 2004 Democratic Convention would be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Who would've thought? Barack Obama beat the Clintons... Strange indeed.

This odd behavior was not as noticeable with the Republicans, yet a strange campaign certainly took place. Rudy Giuliani, an early favorite to capture the nomination decided to take the dumbest road in modern campaign history, putting all of your resources in one state. On top of that, it was a state that couldn't even figure out how to vote properly. We saw a TV personality capture the attention of Conservatives for a while, but once people heard Fred Thompson fumbling his words, and not making much sense, he retreated and headed back to Law & Order, where he belongs. Mitt Romney scared the hell out of everyone with a smile that never seemed to fade, his campaign decided to do what he couldn't. Mike Huckabee, the likable former governor of Arkansas, who looked down and out kept going and really connected with Republicans all over the country and showed some how you can win without huge sums of money, or receiving the national spotlight. However, he too had to concede to a man that just months earlier looked like a man stranded in the water at the beginning of a Jaws sequel. That man was John McCain. 

Who would've thought McCain could pull back into this race and get to the finish line for the Republicans? He was royally crapped on by Bush's campaign in 2000 (odd that he employs the same operatives who did the crapping) yet eight years later he captivated the attention of Republicans and pissed off others. 

No one at the start of 2008 ever believed this election would come down to Barack Obama and John McCain. Yet it has. With less than two weeks left until this election is over and done with, there is still work that both candidates must do to secure victory. Strange happenings could still happen and most certainly will, in just a week, Barack Obama will run a 30 minute ad on the major networks, even delaying the start of game 6 of the World Series. If that isn't strange and unusual, I'm sure what else is. Until then.... stay weird. 

An Honest Question

"The American Promise" (Obama campaign ad)

"Ayers" (McCain campaign ad)

Tomorrow evening Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain will debate for the third and final time this election season. For most, this will be the final time these candidates have an opportunity to discuss the issues. The posted videos are the latest ads to be posted on the YouTube pages of Obama and McCain. Neither ad actually expresses a key issue in this election. According to the CNN Issues page with data conducted by PollingReport.com, 58% of Americans top issue is the economy. The next largest issue: healthcare at a whopping 13%. Tomorrow night truly is the final time these men have an opportunity to discuss issues that truly matter to Americans. 

Let's start with Obama's ad, "The American Promise". It's a great online advertisement coming in at a long 2 minutes and 43 seconds it shows clips of Barack Obama speaking, crowds cheering, and talking about Americans rising up and "changing". It's a well made ad with catchy music, good editing, but doesn't discuss one single issue facing Americans this election season other than Obama's buzzword, "change." Upon watching this ad, it is very easy to figure out what exactly the Obama campaign is trying to do: motivate. With three weeks to the day left until election day, Obama wants as many supporters as he can muster out there creating "change" and beginning to fulfill his "American Promise" by knocking on doors, phone banking, emailing, whatever it takes to bring home "change" next month. It is not trying to convey a specific policy position Senator Obama has, or attempting to contrast his candidacy with that of John McCain's. Therefore, it succeeds and fails. It addresses but doesn't. It is in less than three minutes a fantastic look at the Obama campaign. A promising politician, fired up audiences responding to Obama's call for change, and may in fact create the motivation in supporters that have yet to join the campaign to do so now in the final stretch. 

With that being said, the ad fails. Now more than ever, Americans want answers about how these candidates are going to tackle the serious issues we are now facing. The economy, despite the massive increase in the stock market yesterday, is still incredibly fragile. Many more Americans are facing job losses and foreclosure, yet none of this was uttered in the Obama ad. It paints a pretty picture of what the United States can be under an Obama Presidency. At this point, a lot of people are willing to take hope and are simply assuming everything will be fine under with Obama as President. At this point, it's going to take more than hope to fix our problems and those campaigning for Obama now are going to have continue that support and work through the good and bad that could occur with Obama at the helm.

Now onto McCain. 

We are all now well aware of Bill Ayers. (For those that don't, there is a reason both Wikipedia and hyperlinking were created). I need not explain who he is, because the John McCain ad describes him for you and his relationship with Barack Obama. What I find interesting in McCain's message is there is a complete lack of any issue. While certainly Americans don't want a President who "pals around with terrorists" it may be a far cry to actually say that. It's OK to question one's judgement and you want to win this election, so it is understandable that you would do both. However, it doesn't seem to be working. As daily polls come out, Senator Obama continues to gain in the polls, even in states that seemed so red (North Dakota, West Virgina) just a few weeks ago, it would have been hard to imagine Obama gaining there, but he is. With or without the Bill Ayers ad, many Americans are coming to an agreement. 

"I may not agree with Obama on all the issues, but the Republicans haven't helped much, in fact, I may be worse off with them in charge," are the thoughts of many who have been interviewed and polled. 

McCain's campaign is definitely looking for answers and thought the judgement and associations of Senator Obama would dissuade voters and bring them to or back in the McCain category. Frankly, Americans are getting fed up. It has become same old politics in America. McCain the Maverick has proven to be anything but, even going back on his own promise to shy away from negative campaigning. Even if McCain did want to blast Obama away with the negative ads, let a 527 do it and continue appearing as the Maverick. If Bush had the Swiftboat Veterans, surely McCain could do even better. Instead, McCain is too focused on how to get people to hate Obama rather than explaining why he'd be a better choice for President. With crowds now seeming more angry and rowdy, and not at McCain's proposals, but simply the crowd's disapproval of Obama. It seems almost probable that these two candidates have been turned into two groups. Those who support Senator Obama and those who don't. 

McCain's true support is waning, that much is true. I had a wonderful conversation last week with a student at KSU who is a Republican and was a McCain supporter from the primaries up until three months ago and had previously supported the Senator's candidacy in 2000. His reason for jumping ship: McCain was not the same man and was lacking ideas for the country. That much could be true and from a campaign strategy side, if you knew of the same problems with voters that I heard from this gentleman, then you change your campaign. Make it about NOT supporting the other guy. When stumping, don't bring up anything YOU plan on doing, just how awful the plans of the other guy are. Supporters that were earlier falling asleep at a rally, wake up, and begin screaming and yelling in much of the same fashion that the characters of Orwell's 1984 did. 

With this new found knowledge in mind, the ads begin to make sense. Obama's ads are about supporters doing something (what that is, we still have no idea) and McCain's ads are now about fear, anger, the "Two Minutes Hate" if you will. With the lack of true issue based substance in these candidates, perhaps this is why tomorrow night will be similar to the previous two debates, boring, rambling, and telling me absolutely nothing of the direction either of these two men want to take the United States. That more than Bill Ayers scares me and that more than the "American Promise" makes me want to take action to ensure I still have a country by the time my hair falls out. 

Please Senators, one of you is going to be handed a big pile of garbage from King George II, who promises "plenty more to do in the last 100 days." Get with the program and inform the general public or at least the masses who are too lazy to read up on your policy positions via your websites. Whether you like it or not, in three weeks the American people are going to head to the polls and vote and then, "it's all over now, baby blue." 

Perhaps Bob Dylan had it right when he sang that song 43 years ago. He proclaims in the first verse, "You must leave now, take what you need you think will last. But whatever you wish to keep you must grab it fast." We may need to hit the road and disappear if this doesn't all work out in the end. America could truly be in danger if we don't think this one through before going to the polls in November (or earlier if you're the early voting type). Educate yourself and friends on the positions of these candidates and research them to the fullest. Don't rely on the candidates themselves to explain this to you, they're too busy "campaigning". 

Debating Take Two

The second of three Presidential debates will commence in just a few short hours. The networks are preparing, the pundits are getting ready for some punditry. It shall be glorious...or will it? In the past week we have seen the McCain and Obama campaigns get predictably nasty with each bringing up mundane, irrelevant information from the candidates' pasts. Really folks? With all this going on, neither one can say one word about the issues? 

Just scrolling through the pages of today's New York Times it doesn't take a rocket scientist or even a political scientist to find the issues. They're on the front freaking page. More so than many elections in recent memory, these candidates finally have real issues to discuss and yet they aren't. We saw a pathetic display last week at the Vice Presidential debate in which Joe Biden and Sarah Palin barely touched on the issues. Most pundits claimed that Palin did a good job simply because her expectations were really that low and Biden won because I guess he brought something of relevance up and didn't bite Palin's head off and eat it for dessert. 

When the primaries finally came to a close and we knew who our nominees were, part of me felt confident that Senator Obama and Senator McCain were gentlemen who knew the importance of this election and would attempt to stick to the issues. Although being a person who studies politics this seemed a bit too good to be true and oh was it. With an economy on the verge of collapse (at the time of this writing the Dow has gone from way up this morning to now down approximately 350+ points), two wars that need fixing, a crumbling infrastructure, smaller presence in the world, struggling education system, science that is paling in comparison to the rest of the developed world... The list can go on. Much has happened in this decade, easily the most turbulent since the 1960s, and yet the two men that we much decide on to carry us out of this decade can't find the time to actually discuss these issues. 

The first Presidential debate was boring with McCain too focused on his record from yesteryear, not acknowledging Obama's presence at the debate while Obama looked more like Mr. Spock in his personality and delivery than he has in previous debates and speeches. Is it too much for American citizens to ask these candidates to address the issues? Smear campaigns have worked very well in previous campaigns, as have meaningless debates but too much is at stake here. The next President is going to be handed a mountain of problems, perhaps the largest since World War II or even the Civil War and the mess isn't shrinking. President Bush has packed his bags and all but left the White House. Just by looking into his eyes, you can see the man has been done for a while. Even with a lame duck in the White House, McCain and Obama has resorted to the exact tactics they claimed they wouldn't stoop to, and I feel duped.

Yes, McCain has been struggling as of late on the issues, the economy right now just doesn't help the Republicans, so it makes McCain's tactics look a little more acceptable, but not by much. 

Well similarly to the election, time is running out... I have to go to work. Good luck to the candidates tonight at the debate and here's hoping to a fun and exciting time.

New Thought on Media & the Economy

For the first time in what seems like quite a long time, I find the news media to be accurately reporting something: the financial crisis. While reading and watching the news I am tending to find more honest, open reporting on the economic conditions, what the government is or isn't doing, information on the banks, credit market, etc. They are leaving the commentary and editorials to the commentators and editorialists (with the politicians doing some as well). With all of the spin, it seems like the facts are actually there presented to us all. 

The reason for this is simple, the media is as concerned about the state of the economy as we are. From the corporate owners, to the shareholders, to the anchor on TV, we all have been or could be seriously affected by the economy. We are all reliant on the economy to survive, as are the news media. We love to hate the mass media and we quickly forget they are people too. I tend to see this when watching CNN during the day when the anchors here in Atlanta are really just regular people with a job. They need that job to provide for their families, just like all of us. When they ask questions to reporters in the field, or economic experts, they sound sincere, worried, and needing the information reported accurately just as we need news reported accurately. With a collapse of the economy, some of those reporters might be out of job too, even with news that needs to be reported. The companies they work for just might not be able to pay them either. 

So just this once, the news gets a pass. They are reporting exactly what we need to see and for once, in an honest manner. Will this continue? Doubtful and they'll go back to reporting in their usual spin-fashion once the economic crisis ends (assuming it does). It does cause you to do some thinking about how serious the financial problems truly are and that the media does have a few employees that do have souls. That or they are that worried about their 401K. Either which way, glad to have them on our side for a change.

I'll provide some examples to hopefully strengthen this theory tomorrow.

Go "Team"!

 

JOHN MCCAIN     vs.       BARACK OBAMA

The 2008 Major League Presidenting Championship

Red versus blue. Elephant versus Donkey. Republican versus Democrat. Dawgs versus Gators. Wait, scratch that last one. Or should we? What we think of as a legitimate race for the White House is nothing more than a glorified sporting event that is perpetuated by the same media outlets that broadcast our beloved true American sporting events. I expect to see four spectacles going on in the Autumns of election years: college & pro football, the World Series, and the Presidential Election. Not that the election doesn't matter, because it does, but how else can one explain why the two "teams" have team colors, mascots, and rabid fans. That sounds much like every sports team in the United States. We identify those oddly enough with colors and mascots. Hmm, noticing a pattern?

Using football as an example because the fan base for a specific team is about as insane as some Americans' passion for their candidate (the star quarterback) and their team (Congressional candidates, other offices, etc.) as we head down to the final weeks. As poll data comes out about how states feel about their stars, we color code those states with "red" or "blue" depending on if they're leaning toward McCain or Obama. When election day hits, the true insanity begins. As the returns come in, the news media will begin to shade in the states based on the state's "score" (who won the state) and battle for 270 electoral votes (the score necessary to win) will become the scoreboard. Watching this is more exciting than the Super Bowl and game 7 of the World Series combined. It's captivating. At this point, I'd much rather have John Madden, Al Michaels, and what the hell, we'll throw in Bob Costas in their to call this "game". Honestly, that is what this all has become.

 For all the decades this fine country has existed our Presidential election system has mainly focused on the "two major parties". Whether this is the Democrats and Republicans or some other bizarre form of political parties that has yet to morph into the spotlight, it comes down to #1 vs. #2. The ultimate battle. The media makes sure we all know that this exists by completely ignoring every other candidate from every other party that somehow manages to make it on the ballot. There are exceptions mind you (namely H. Ross Perot). These exceptions are given airtime because they sell. Perot's massive ears in 1992 clearly were more exciting that a redneck Governor playing saxophone on the Arsenio Hall show or President Bush (the first one) rambling on about reading his lips. Apparently, we're all deaf. So the media hopped on the Perot bandwagon. In the end, it didn't matter, it came down to Red vs. Blue, Elephant vs. Donkey. A further detailing of the sports comparison now begins.

The regular season of the Major League of Presidenting (sorry W. had to borrow it) begins approximately four years before the election. One of the two teams has one leaving the other to regroup. Candidates form their teams to compete is this season so long it makes Major League Baseball seem as short as little league. The hit the road, showing off their new team to all MLP fans as they cheer, wave signs, even those foam fingers, of course in the color of their favorite team. The regular season runs out quickly, usually January of the election year when the primaries begin. This begins the playoffs.

The playoffs eliminate most candidates quickly. They cannot represent their respective league in the championship rounds. The strong teams, in this year's case Obama, Clinton, and on the Red team, John McCain make it. People wear their team apparel with pride, chant, have signs in their yard, waving, screaming acting like Jackasses and Elephants. The first round of the playoffs concludes once you have narrowed down the process to a minimum of two candidates on either side. Obama and Clinton went a strong 7 game series, coming down to a walk-off homerun for Team 'O' that sealed his appearance in the championship. McCain looked down early, but made a major comeback towards the end of the first half and sealed his trip to the championship. The conference playoffs now end leaving us one candidate from either side.

DEMOCRATIC DONKEYS vs. REPUBLICAN ELEPHANTS

              

Barack Obama John McCain

The two team leaders now representing all of their teams and former opponents square off early. The first and second quarters see little action, with advertisements, stump speeches, and TV appearances talking up their team and why we should start rooting for them. At the conclusion of these interviews, TV stations then show a giant digital map of the United States and start coloring in the states. They predict how the game will end, but oh how is just getting started. After a slow first half, the candidates pull out a fast one before half time. RUNNING MATES. One became two, and the team either grows stronger, or begins to show its weakness. The refs blow their whistles, it's half time.

The half time show isn't nearly as exciting as seeing what goes at the Super Bowl, but it's a spectacle. The conventions are four day long half time shows celebrating everything to do with your team. Music and alcohol are included as are pseudo-inspiring speeches from our team leaders as we all shout out: "GO JACKASSES!" or "GO ELEPHANTS!" "WIN THE BIG GAME!" We then begin making out with the person standing next to us, things are just too damn awesome! After that final day however, things begin getting serious.

The two sides, knowing that the game is much closer than anticipated know they are beginning a tough second half and it's going to take some quick scoring in the third quarter. The speeches become more intense, the ads become dirtier (ex. "John McCain is going to use your tax money to gamble!" or "Barack Obama, yes, he's STILL a Muslim!") and we have the top referees get involved with something called debates. Yes folks, this is where we are in the game, so close, yet so far from the buzzer when states begin to decide which "team" they want for the next four years. Our precious media darlings grill both candidates on all sorts of issues. The candidates respond. After these debates, pundits from the media "score" the candidates. 

"Obama or McCain intercepts the ball from McCain or Obama late in the 3rd quarter to take a commanding lead." 

These headlines COULD happen after one of these debates. It's all about the game. November 4th is when the game will end and teams will know if it's time to start rebuilding for the next four years and the other will enjoy being crowned champion of the MLP and get to live in a big white house until the next battle begins. It's not that the election has become a joke, but when you break it all down, that's all it really is. The Super Bowl, World Series, Kentucky Derby, Stanley Cup, the Presidential Election. Hmm, I like it. What do you say folks, Barack Obama or John McCain on the cover of Sports Illustrated depending on the outcome? I mean c'mon the champions of all other sports just get a picture AT the White House. These champions live in it. 

Final note. Here's to the Tampa Bay Rays winning the American League East and hopefully a successful playoff run. 

Happy New Year

It's Rosh Hashanah and being Jewish I've been enjoying New Year's and eating good food. Despite being in synagogue for much of tomorrow, fear not, I have a great substantive post coming tomorrow, so stay tuned sports fans and sorry for the delay. 

By the way, who noticed that the economy decided to give up today?....Anyone? Ok, good, I'm not the only one who is imagining things. The news seems to actually be taking the situation seriously. No one could have put this situation into perspective better than Thompson who would've used the occasion to simply say, "We're doomed." 

Economic Disaster v. Designer Glasses

Upon returning home from class Wednesday afternoon, I expected CNN to be covering the financial meltdown and nothing but. This was the case during the first thirty minutes I watched of Wolf Blitzer's show The Situation Room. The Dow Jones Industrials had just dropped nearly 450 points after dropping over 500 on Monday. The market seemed near collapse after the bankruptcy filing of Lehman's Brothers, Bank of America buying out Merrill-Lynch, and now AIG, the nation's largest insurance group was being bailed out by the Federal government with an $85 billion loan. The television coverage was nail-biting. Wolf had all the best analysis and I'm pacing around my room watching the U.S. economy collapse live on television. TV hadn't been this riveting since the season finale of ABC's show Lost. 

Before cutting to a commercial, Blitzer gave a rundown of the upcoming segments on the show. First up after the break: a segment on Sarah Palin's in demand glasses. The mind reels in the absurdity of this. Largest economic downturn since the Great Depression or a candidate's high priced specs? Hmm, I thought the former would be a more popular topic. Alas, I watched the two minutes on Palin's glasses and how women everywhere are flocking to their closest LensCrafters to hunt down a pair of Palin's hot lenses. The segment left a negligible impact on my life and didn't make me love or hate Sarah Palin anymore than before. It left me a bit perturbed with the current state of our news. This could be the most turbulent time in the United States in quite some time and Americans are rightfully concerned. My pacing stopped, my brow raised and I said politely, "what the f***?"

Really Wolf? After the daily stress you cause me when you constantly pitch the new bestseller written by one of your cast, you show me this? Who in the editing room decided that, while the market may have reached the point of no return, let's squeeze in two minutes for glasses? Although my solace in all of this, the demand for these glasses might be the best part of the McCain/Palin economic plan. If that's the case, I may go ahead and pull my money out of the bank and put it in the mattress. 

This is another example of how the media tends to put the public's best interest behind what sells. While Palin's media star might have faded this week (sorry Sarah, the economy comes first) it beguiles me that someone actually thought this was a good idea. Now call me crazy, and too nitpicky, but I as an American have other priorities and NEED to be informed, now more than ever. We are less than fifty days from choosing a new President and the polls have these guys in a dead heat, and this is what you give me? At this point I wouldn't care if Palin had a similar ocular problem as the X-Men character Cyclops and shot bright red streaks out of her eyes that can cause massive destruction if it meant she had an answer for this economy. 

So for now Wolf and company, ask questions, get your analysts analyzing, and let's get America informed for once so that they'll know exactly who these candidates are not by what accessories they wear but how they are going to better America. Just ask people who actually wear glasses. They'll agree with me in a large majority. Trust me, people who wear glasses are scientifically known to be significantly smarter than those that don't.*

We have 46 days ladies and gentlemen until this insanely long show comes to an end. After that, we can discuss Palin's glasses, her clothes, and yes, even her lipstick, I don't care. Give me the issues, what's important and if you find out that Americans DO care about the specs, please, let me know. I'll laugh, then cry, and find another place to live, because that's the point I'll truly be frightened of our society. 

*There is no evidence that people that wear glasses ARE smarter than those that don't. This has been long rumored, especially among those that are nearsighted. Nearsightedness can cause your eyes to bulge out slightly, and we all know what causes this, a larger brain capable of understanding more. 

Fear, Panic & Gasoline: Hurricane Ike and the Media

OK, OK, this was published before I knew pipelines were broken and Ike screwed things up. People still freaked out. Oh well, read this as if it were fiction with some mix of truth. At least it's fun. Enjoy folks. Try to limit your driving.

It's the afternoon of Friday September 12th, 2008 and Hurricane Ike is bearing down on the Texas coastline. In its path: many of America's precious oil refineries. The news has been covering Ike for what seems like weeks as it trekked across the Atlantic, into the Caribbean, and onto the Gulf of Mexico. Much like when Hurricane Katrina threatened oil refineries and offshore oil rigs in 2005, Ike seemed poised to cause similar problems. All of the sudden, the news claims there may end up being a shortage of gasoline due to the impending doom of Ike. Panic ensued.

With supply seeming to be cut drastically, prices began to rise. With the threat of a shortage of gas, demand skyrocketed. I sat by idly watching terror set in. I had 3/4 of a tank, I'd be fine. I turned on the news on Friday afternoon to see prices rising and something I'd never seen before, stations running out of gas completely. I raised an eyebrow. 

"Maybe this is worse than I thought," I wondered. 

No, no, all a media sham. Around 5:30PM I left my house to take my brother to work to find traffic out into the streets with people attempting to fill up. Some stations had prices up 50-80 cents higher than they were just hours before and the less expensive stations looked more like the oil embargo of the 70s than in 2008. I thought this would pass. I then passed a series of stations, they had run out of gas. Caution tape created a perimeter around the pumps and prices had been taken down from the signs. The apocalypse set in. 

"This is what it's going to be like when gas truly runs out," I thought. "We're screwed."

I thought this would all pass and by Saturday morning things would return to normal, but upon seeing my first gas station that had gas around 8:30AM on Saturday, the line again was into the street. I wondered if these were the same people panicking yesterday and still waiting for a few precious gallons. More stations closed, the few remaining had raised prices anywhere from 60 cents to a whole dollar more per gallon. The media succeeded, they created mass hysteria.

Hurricane Ike brought destruction to the Texas coast, pounding Galveston and Houston leaving a swath of damage and by Saturday afternoon it had left its mark. As the news poured in about the damage in Texas, no one was sure about those crucial refineries. Once word came in, I laughed, no major damage reported, and gas would begin flowing without much in the way of continued problems. 

I didn't fill up. I was fine, at the time of this writing I am still on that same tank of gas, with just under a half a tank left. Gas, while more expensive than a week ago, is now flowing at most of the local gas stations and I'll fill up upon needed it. 

What is to be learned from this? We panic quickly and usually do not think things through when disaster is looming. The media quickly spreads information about a gas shortage and people lose it, promptly begin wasting gas by getting in their cars, drive to the nearest gas station and either sit in their cars burning fuel waiting to purchase more, or they drive around wasting even more fuel looking for a cheaper station or one that actually still has gas. As a society, we need to learn when it is appropriate to heed warnings from the media and when to use their messages to plan out accordingly. Rather than freaking out, I sat back and analyzed the situation, understood that it may or may not happen and conserve fuel rather than go hunting for more. Cut down on trips and the gas I have will get me places until the tankers show up much to everyone's delight. 

Oil has continued to drop, meaning the price increase from Hurricane Ike will probably fade quickly and drop below pre-Ike prices and then I'll fill up, knowing that I didn't let the media's panic and fear inducing reports get to me and hopefully save a few bucks than those who decided going to BP at 8AM on a Saturday was a great idea. 

A Somber Reminder

Yesterday marked the seven year anniversary of September 11th. The reminders were everywhere from television programs, memorial services, to every Major League Baseball team wearing "stars and stripes" hats to remember the tragic day. For what seemed like the first day since last 9/11, the presidential candidates also put campaign activities on hold to honor those lost and attended a ceremony at Ground Zero and put aside partisanship. 

Despite the large disagreements over recent years between Democrats and Republicans, yesterday we were all Americans, as we are everyday and it shouldn't take the anniversary of a national tragedy to remind us of that. The media put aside their political leanings to cover the ceremonies, even while Hurricane Ike began making it's treacherous track towards Texas. Everyday I am proud to be an American, and it is shame that it takes 9/11 for us to remember who we are and how patriotic we all are and can be. We argue, claim one side is more patriotic because of their political beliefs than the other. No one has an exclusive right to patriotism. It is something that we feel, believe in, love, and strive to achieve throughout our lives as Americans. Due to my political beliefs I have been told a number of times that I "don't support America" or I am not "a true patriot" or a defender of America. I have spent the last several months working on political campaigns, volunteering for that matter. Why? I am a patriot.

Ladies and gents, let's use this as a reminder of our duty to our country and whether we're liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat, black, white, man, woman, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, we're all Americans, and we're all patriotic. Some may not wear a flag pin or wore their red, white, and blue yesterday, but they felt it. 

We all came to this land seeking the freedom and liberty all of our ancestors were seeking and it's about time we all are proud of that. So those that have differing views that I may, stand up with me and let us all be proud of being Americans. 

Missing the Story

  *
Last night John McCain accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States. While a momentous occasion, the mainstream media has missed the story completely. Demonstrations have been taking place all week in the Twin Cities that have led to hundreds if not close to one thousand or more arrests of protesters. While many protesters were instigators, most were not, simply using their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. This is something that I take great pride in and seeing fellow young people express their voice only to be shut down is despicable. 

Even more disheartening is the total lack of mainstream media coverage this is receiving. If you scroll through the top stories on CNN.com, there is finally, now at the conclusion of the convention, a link letting you view a few videos of the protests that took place. Police arrested protesters, charged them with felony riot and have released most. While the severe charges will not stick, some face up to a year in jail for their actions. The media has remained silent. 

Protests began as soon as the convention started on Monday, overshadowed by coverage of Hurricane Gustav and came to a head on Tuesday evening. There was a music festival called the Ripple Effect Music Festival, which had all the proper permits to hold this festival in St. Paul on Tuesday. The popular band Rage Against the Machine, well known for their political activism, was scheduled to play the event. Upon attempting to take the stage, police prevented the band (who just recently reunited) from even taking the stage. The band took to the streets. Grabbing a megaphone, singer Zach de la Rocha and guitarist Tom Morello addressed the crowd about protesting peacefully and proceeded to perform two songs sans instruments. After the band left, police promptly arrested nearly 200 more protesters. 

Rage did get to play a show the following night, Wednesday at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Upon concluding the show de la Rocha told fans to leave peacefully. Not all did. Police in riot gear were waiting and promptly arrested after fans took to the streets and began protesting what de la Rocha called the "fascist Republican agenda." 

The protests for me became a bit more personal when a photographer from my former school, the University of Kentucky was arrested amidst the protesting this week. He was a photographer, press pass included. He was doing what any responsible journalist might do, cover the story. He was charged with felony riot. 

The media continued their silence all week. Now agree or disagree with the protesters taking to the streets, this was a story. A major one at that. The journalists that did take to the streets were being intimidated, threatened, and yes, even arrested. This prevents Freedom of the Press, Freedom of Speech, and is downright un-American. Pro-war, anti-war, pro-Bush, anti-Bush, Democrat, Republican, Liberal, Conservative, young, old, it doesn't matter folks. These were people that couldn't express their right to free speech because a few decided to spoil it for the many and the cops went overboard. Round up those that are causing destruction to property, interrupting the protests, or threatening police. Next time, I shouldn't have to look very hard to see police blasting a woman in the face with pepper spray or dragging someone through the streets. We did this in 1968, let's never do it again and shame on the media for shoving to the back page. 

Cops should be there to serve and protect. Arrest those that are causing a danger, but kids waving American flags calling for an end to the war giving you the peace sign? Why spray them? What did they do? Oh yeah, they decided to disagree with the establishment. They paid the price.  

*The picture is of Kentucky Kernel photojounrnalist Ed Matthews. He was photographing the protests and was not taking part in them. He was doing the job of the people we study in this class, reporting the news. At least he was trying to, and trying to do it honestly. 

Brief Thoughts on Additional Readings

While written at such different times in American and media history, both de Tocqueville and Giussani's articles point out how specific forms of media, newspaper and the internet respectively, are necessary to a free and just society. They act as checks on government and the people they represent. 

While newspapers represented freedom for so long, the creation of "Internet 2.0" meaning the communicative interaction we now see online with millions of bloggers, social networkers, and the browsers of these sites. What would have been much to de Tocqueville's dismay, newspapers were gathered into large entities when William Randolph Hurst began his quest of owning them all and newspapers ceased to be as free as de Tocqueville envisioned. Hurst was even able to start a war (Spanish-American) simply by drumming up support of the sinking of the Maine in his newspapers. 

Giussani points out the new revolution that has freed up from what Hurst among others did to so many forms of mass media. The internet has allowed for us to participate in this blog, freely able to express our opinion on any given issue. Blogs across the web focus on so many issues, an unimaginable amount, and each author has no limit to the blogs they can publish. No contract to write for one specific company, with deadlines, specific topics they are required to cover. Free. It's pure Democracy. So pure, it can be filled with lies, deceit, and garbage. Censoring is not required, nor is having your facts straight. So while the internet has led to a communications revolution and allowed all of us to become journalists, do we hold up a true journalistic code of honor? Do we factually report the news as we see it or do we intentionally slant it to meet whatever our personal goals may be? 

This upcoming election is the first in which internet 2.0 is being fully utilized. Senator Barack Obama even has a social networking tool known as MyBarackObama in which you can "friend" other supporters, join groups, create events, and yes, even blog. Unfortunately while this tool is used for good, others have used it to spread rumors about almost all of the candidates this season. They don't write for the Associated Press or the New York Times or even the KSU Sentinel. No worries about being fired or sued for your opinion on a blog. In most cases, you're not even being paid for creating the lies! 

So as Americans, lovers of freedom, and fellow bloggers, we have to prevent Giussani's dream go the way of de Tocqueville's and let corruption, lies, and deceit ruin this new device that will hopefully all democracy to flourish for centuries to come. 

**BREAKING NEWS**

CNN read my post and responded and admitted fully they were the ones that screwed Obama's VP announcement plans. Hmm, after one post the media is on me. 

Stay tuned folks. My next post: Mass Media & the Disney World like atmosphere surrounding the conventions. 

The News vs. Us: How do they win?

Ahoy folks. 

This here blog will focus on the news, mass media, and its effect on the world around us. First thing's first, there is news abound. 

Recently the Barack Obama campaign did something interested, new, fascinating, incredible, unheard of!.... If you submitted your cell phone number or email address the Obama campaign would text or email you Senator Obama's running mate BEFORE the news announced it! 

*GASP*

Upon hearing this Wolf Blitzer promptly turned into the Hulk and destroyed half of the Situation Room set.*

"How can they do this!?" Blitzer screamed as he tore down the desk in front of him.

John King using his fancy touch screen TV gave Blitzer a seemingly intelligent answer. "We can beat them," King promised. 

The Hulk calmed down. 

In all seriousness folks, the Obama campaign wanted to transcend that need for the mass media to report information. With much of Obama's organization started using the internet, this seemed a no brainer. How could we be so naive? To think the news would not get a hold of the information before the general public did was ridiculous, but many of us bought into it anyway. 

Friday August 22nd seemed to drone on, especially for those on television hoping Blitzer wouldn't explode with rage. Obama had made his decision, that much was clear, but no one knew when the text/email would go out or who exactly the choice was. All indications pointed to Governor Tim Kaine of Virigina, Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, and Senator Joe Biden of Delaware being the final three in this race. Day turned into night, information started coming in. 

The news networks were getting confirmation from Democratic Party sources that Governor Kaine and Senator Bayh were out of the mix. The rumors about Biden increased. The media was staked outside of Biden's home like it was the Britney Spears scandal. All I could think of was where in the hell my text message was? Obama is something new, refreshing, he'll get the information to loyal supporters before the media gets a hold...right.

CNN began getting unofficial reports that it was in fact Joe Biden. Again, no email, no text message, nothing. CNN reported that Biden had gathered with his family. No message. ABC confirms that the Secret Service had been dispatched to the Biden residence. Still...no message. CNN now confirms that Barack Obama has chosen Joe Biden as his running mate.

Dear Senator Obama,

Where the hell was my text message? 

Love,

Joel

In all seriousness, the mass media couldn't lose. They had to report information first. The Obama campaign tried to prove that we didn't need mass media to provide the American people with crucial information. They were wrong. We were wrong. I believed in the campaign's promise. I received my confirmation from the Obama campaign.... at 4:48AM Saturday. Nearly five hours after CNN reported that Joe Biden was in fact Obama's running mate. 

This event proves one thing. While we might not NEED mass media to provide us information, they are too entrenched in our political system to allow us direct access to information from campaigns and government. It was the ultimate goal for the mass media to prove they still had the leg up on us and they did. Maybe this won't be the case in the future, but for now we'll be stuck with them, up to and including Wolf Blitzer's beard. 

Hope everyone enjoys the insanity that will undoubtedly occur throughout these posts, especially with the election on our doorstep....I would keep posting but Barack Obama is on TV getting ready to introduce Joe Biden as his running mate....this might be important.

*There is no evidence that Wolf Blitzer turned into the Hulk. This was a story floating around the offices of Fox News. Upon hearing this, Chris Wallace laughed so hard he choked on a pretzel and Bill O'Reilly blamed Blitzer's transformation on liberals loving science.