Independent Progressive Thought

In reference to the article from yesterday about how it all started, Shut Up, War Critics by Robert Fisk, UK Independent, April 11, 2004 makes the same case as well. But in addition, he describes in detail how the US media just parrot the government line because that is what is expected of them. Also of note is the fact that Robert Fisk is referred to as always having been supportive of the "maintenance of the Baathist regime". The interesting thing is that Robert Fisk does not seem to try to defend himself because his views of matter are adequately documented by the public record. But shouldn't other news media try to rip Perle to shreds on his name calling at best and obvious lies at worst.

posted by Nashib @ 4:29 PM

So why is it that so much of the news media is so incredibly stupid, deluded or both? They seem interested in facts and figures but never in any analysis. I am not going to go through with this exercise but I am sure CNN has little weapons sections where each weapon is highlighted in great detail and annotated with the accuracy of its armaments. But about why things may be happening, screw the facts. There are NO facts, only perceptions. How about helping Americans understand how different groups of Iraqis perceive this ? What changed between 9 months ago that even the coalition allies in Iraq are not allied anymore ? Unfortunately the fear is that instead of looking as Iraqis as a bunch of blood-thirsty Arabs, they might start to find commonalities with them and surely that would be detrimental to the current imperialist expansion underway.

The current crisis and standoff with the "thug" Al-Sadr was precipitated precisely because the Americans believe in the freedom of the press to report the American government's point of view freely. However, this story is rarely brought up nor analyzed adequately in the context of the current uprising. And the "thug" reference is such an old childish trick it is surprising that no news analysts actually report that as inaccurate. He may be a murderer in that he killed some of his rivals but he is more than a thug. He is truly part of the powerful elite, not unlike the Bushies, that seek their place in the distribution (read grabbing) of power. The only difference is that his rag tag band of bandits don't share the same fashion sense as western armies and are not as well armed.

In The Quest for a Monopoly on Violence, by Norman Solomon, April 8, 2004 , there is an excellent discussion of the above issue.

posted by Nashib @ 7:56 PM

Not one to give up easily our valiant hero employs his vast intellect and the services of Google to find the original cartoon .

posted by Nashib @ 1:54 PM

After a little Easter hiatus, I am ready to rant and rave again. I must say that the weekend away from the addiction box (aka computer) was a good thing. But, given that the week has begun we are back in the swing of things. A really good cartoon from the Ottawa Citizen which is usually an ultra-supportive of the right type of newspaper. Getting back to why this newspaper is not really worth looking at, they don't even make their cartoons available online so you can't actually click the link and get anywhere. Anyway the cartoon features a tiger labeled Iraqi Uprising and a Tweety like bird in a cage (face of GW) saying in Tweety's distinct style, "I tot I taw a puddy tat". I managed to see it in the print edition of the newspaper.

posted by Nashib @ 1:48 PM