Thursday, May 8, 2003

From MoveOn.org: Dear MoveOn member, On June 2, the Federal Communications Commission is planning on authorizing sweeping changes to the American news media. The rule changes could allow your local TV stations, newspaper, radio stations, and cable provider to all be owned by one company. NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox could have the same corporate parent. The resulting concentration of ownership could be deeply destructive to our democracy. When we talk to Congresspeople about this issue, their response is usually the same: "We only hear from media lobbyists on this. It seems like my constituents aren't very concerned with this issue." A few thousand emails could permanently change that perception. Please join us in asking Congress and the FCC to fight media deregulation at: http://www.moveon.org/stopthefcc/?id=1344-1937933-NRrpno1PhS5zYnGuIzg4iA After the FCC and Congress relaxed radio ownership rules, corporate giant Clear Channel Communications swept in and bought hundreds of stations. Clear Channel has used its might to support pro-war political rallies and conservative talk shows, keep anti-war songs off its stations, coerce musicians into playing free promotional concerts, and bully them into performing at its music venues. In many towns that used to have a diverse array of radio options, Clear Channel is now the only thing on the dial. Monopoly power is a dangerous thing, and Congress is supposed to guard against it. But the upcoming rule change could change the landscape for all media and usher in an era in which a few corporations control your access to news and entertainment. Please tell Congress and the FCC to support a diverse, competitive media landscape by going to: http://www.moveon.org/stopthefcc/?id=1344-1937933-NRrpno1PhS5zYnGuIzg4iA You can also automatically have your comments publicly filed at the FCC. Democracy is built on the idea that the views and beliefs of an informed citizenry are the best basis for political decision-making. Without access to fair and balanced news, the system simply doesn't work. And media corporations can't be trusted to balance themselves: news corporations have shown again and again that they're willing to sacrifice journalism to improve the bottom line. That's why we need many media entities -- to keep each other honest, and to provide the information and ideas that make democracy happen. Please join this critical campaign, and let Congress know you care. Sincerely, --Eli Pariser MoveOn.org May 8th, 2003 8:39:53 PM

"MediaGuardian.co.uk | Special reports | TV watchdog checks claims of bias on Murdoch channel" [Daypop Top 40] 6:43:55 PM

Boycott BMW? How about VW? I find the French bashing and calls for a boycott on French products really weird. The Germans had an even stronger stance against the war, they voted NO before the French did. The French had a veto on the UN Security Council and the Germans did not, so the French got more coverage. French wine and food seem to be the main targets of the boycott. How about Audi and Adidas? Do we give up those products? The Russians too said they would use their veto. Boycott borscht? Vodka? How about Russian crude oil? Not a chance. China? Chile? What about products from those countries? Somehow boycotting the Chinese wouldn't be fashionable. Hey, their economy is great these days! Oh yeah, Belgium too. They're crossing us! Do we boycott 'em? Boycott the French? There are hundreds of French buried under U.S. soil - French soldiers who lost their lives so the United States could exist as a country. How far we have come since 1776... Postscript - In my opinion, the Bush's always need an enemy. Back in the early 90's, after the Communist enemy fell, and apart from Iraq, there was a very big political frenzy against the Japanese "economic threat". When that blew over, Vice President Quayle conjured up a new enemy - "the media elite." They ALWAYS need an enemy. If an enemy isn't there, they create one for us. That's how they operate. It's a very old scam. How do you become needed and important? MAKE people need you. So does the United States bomb France next? Or California? 5:42:07 PM

Appalshop. The Appalshop, nestled in the hills of coal-stained eastern Kentucky, was founded in 1969 as a War on Poverty project designed to train young people in Appalachia for jobs in film and television. Today, it flourishes as one of the premier cultural outposts of a proud and struggling swath of America. Its projects include documentary films, a record label, and one of the best public radio stations in the country. [MetaFilter]   Appalshop [cinema minima] 3:00:08 PM

Alexander was Great. 'Great' race takes a twist. Luhrmann's pic waits til 2005. Baz Luhrmann will take his time in the great race to make Alexander the Great. While Oliver Stone is trying to get his version of Alexander into theaters for Thanksgiving 2004, Luhrmann and producer Dino De Laurentiis now say their pic will not be released until at least late 2005. [Variety.com]   Search Google for Alexander+the+Great The title recalls that of the May West play, Catherine Was Great [cinema minima] 1:31:26 PM

The coalition of the "billing"? So do we, the US taxpayers pay for everything? Does Iraqi oil cover all the bills, with the US government in charge of production now? Do Halliburton and other oil companies pay a lot in taxes? Are fossil fuels basically bad for us? Do we bring in the UN to help? Do we even need international assistance in Iraq? Are we spreading ourselves thin over there? Is this administration just playing the war by ear? Yes, I think they are. Partners pledge few troops. VIENNA, Austria - Bulgaria has 450 soldiers ready to go to Iraq. Azerbaijan is sending 150. Poland is considering up to 2,200, Italy as many as 3,000. But Denmark is good for only 380, Estonia just 55 - and Latvia a mere dozen. [Arizona Daily Star: Front Page] 1:36:30 AM

Aldous Huxley. "The author of the Iliad is either Homer or, if not Homer, somebody else of the same name." [Quotes of the Day] 12:22:13 AM