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.....

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. 

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.