by David Burn | Feb 11, 2007 | Media, Politics
We attended a fantastic symposium this morning in Savannah, courtesy of Savannah Country Day School. The speakers addressed one of the more pressing topics for our time—sustainability. Featured speaker, Robert Kennedy Jr., a hardcore environmentalist and brilliant speaker, also addressed another critical topic for our time—corporate control of government and media. Kennedy explained the history of the Fairness Doctrine, how it was dismantled by Ronald Reagan and the sorry state we’re in because of it.
Today, five huge corporations — Time Warner, Disney, News Corporation, Bertelsmann, and Viacom own 90% of the TV stations and radio stations in the U.S. This is a dangerous situation for the people of our nation. The founding fathers warned against it, and after WWII and the fall of fascism in Europe, the U.S. Congress legislated against it. According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, the FCC took the view, in 1949, that station licensees were “public trustees,” and as such had an obligation to afford reasonable opportunity for discussion of contrasting points of view on controversial issues of public importance.
Of course, there are no such safeguards in place today, which is why we have propaganda where news once was. Thankfully, people are waking up from this nightmare and beginning to demand a free and fair press. U.S. Congressman from New York, Maurice Hinchey has introduced a bill that will restore the Fairness Doctrine.
Here’s “Article I” from Hinchey’s bill:
Our airwaves are a precious and limited commodity that belong to the general public. As such, they are regulated by the government. From 1949 to 1987, a keystone of this regulation was the Fairness Doctrine, an assurance that the American audience would be guaranteed sufficiently robust debate on controversial and pressing issues. Despite numerous instances of support from the U.S. Supreme Court, President Reagan’s FCC eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, and a subsequent bill passed by Congress to place the doctrine into federal law was then vetoed by Reagan.
MORA would amend the 1934 Communications Act to restore the Fairness Doctrine and explicitly require broadcast licensees to provide a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance.
Raw Story reports that concerns about monopolies and fears of a possible “fascist” takeover of the US media prompted the bill. Hinchey said, “This is a critical moment in history that may determine the future of our country…maybe forever.”
Hinchey blames the media for reporting false information that it is fed by the administration. “What lies will they tell in the future to jeopardize this democratic republic or even end this democratic republic? That is the objective of many of those involved.â€
by David Burn | Feb 3, 2007 | Nebraska, Politics
“I want every one of you, every one of us, 100 senators, to look in that camera, and you tell your people back home what you think. Don’t hide anymore; none of us. That is the essence of our responsibility. And if we’re not willing to do it, we’re not worthy to be seated right here. We fail our country. If we don’t debate this . . . we are not worthy of our country.” -Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) during a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Hagel tells it like it is. I like that about him. But before I get too thrilled with his truth saying, another truth begs to be observed. This time, it’s from Huffington Post writer Matt Browner Hamlin.
Chuck Hagel’s voting record is clear. He votes with Bush and he votes the way conservatives want him to vote. Hagel votes against abortion rights, against civil rights, and against environmental protections. Hagel’s beliefs are squarely in line with the Republican Party platform. Period.
Please, the next time you hear Chris Matthews, Tim Russert, or even a Republican blogger claim that Hagel is a moderate, a maverick, or any other adjective that paints him as an anti-Republican figure, remember that it simply is not true. He remains a purebred Republican despite his correct positioning on Iraq.
Hamlin makes a good point. But I’m not as willing, nor as quick, to downgrade the man. Despite his voting record, Iraq is the central issue of the day and he’s right on Iraq. Just as importantly, he’s also right about another critical issue of our day–that’s it’s our duty as Americans to think critically, then stand up and be heard. He’s totally consistent on this issue. In fact, I’ve posted twice before about his opposing stance to the President and his administration.
by David Burn | Jan 21, 2007 | Politics
“To the fucking rich man all poor people look the same.” -Patterson Hood
Last night, while considering the meaning of Drive-By Truckers’ song, “The Southern Thing,” I was struck by a self-evident but often overlooked fact of American history–that only rich Southerns held slaves. America is now, and has always been a culture defined by class distinctions.
This morning, while reading “The Socialist Senator,” a piece on Bernie Sanders in The New York Times Magazine, I was struck by the noble path this uncommon common man has chosen. It’s not easy to buck societal, nor political norms and win. But win he has, ever since 1980 when the people of Burlington first made him mayor.
Mark Liebovich, the Times writer on the story looks at the reasons behind the new Senator’s success. They are more personal, than political, which works well in a state of 620,000.
Sanders has made himself known in a state small enough — physically and in terms of population — for someone, particularly a tireless someone, to insinuate himself into neighborly dialogues and build a following that skirts ideological pigeonholes. Indeed, there are no shortages of war veterans or struggling farmers in Vermont who would seemingly have no use for a humorless aging hippie peacenik Socialist from Brooklyn, except that Sanders has dealt with many of them personally, and it’s a good bet his office has helped them procure some government benefit.
On what drives the man to espouse Socialist values:
Sanders’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. His father, Eli, a struggling paint salesman who saw his family wiped out in the Holocaust, worried constantly about supporting his wife and two sons. His mother, Dorothy, dreamed of living in a “private home,†but they never made it beyond their three-and-a-half-room apartment on East 26th and Kings Highway. She died at age 46, when Bernie was 19. “Sensitivity to class was imbedded in me then quite deeply,†Sanders told me.
According to the article, Sanders has a poster of Eugene Debs on his office wall. It’s a telltale sign. Debs was a founder of The Industrial Workers of the World, a.k.a. The Wobblies.
Socialism isn’t some freak show in American politics. Rather it’s one of the most important voices for labor the nation has ever seen. Given the present day corporate takeover the White House, the courts and Congress, I’d say Sanders is exactly what the doctor ordered.
by David Burn | Jan 2, 2007 | Art, Politics
We went to Atlanta’s High Museum yesterday. People were clamoring to see items on loan from The Louvre, but I didn’t care for that exhibit. The pieces that stood out for me were in the permanent Folk Art collection. Particularly, Howard Finster’s “sacred art” and the following piece from Ned Cartledge:
“The Flag Waiver,” 1970, Carved wood with paint
In the scene above a civil rights protestor is being stepped on, while a journalist is being silenced. Sadly, such things don’t belong to art and history, but to the present day, as well. The New York Times reports that 2006 was was the deadliest year on record for journalists and news media workers worldwide, with at least 155 killings and unexplained deaths.
by David Burn | Dec 21, 2006 | Lowcountry, Politics
Miriam Jordan, a Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reporter published a feature last week on illegal immigration’s adverse effects for entrepreneurs. The story takes place on Hilton Head Island, which is why I’m featuring it here.
About five years ago, the journey of Starletta and William Hairston from the underclass to the upper class hit a roadblock.
Both were born to poor black Southern families. William, a stucco subcontractor, built a thriving business beautifying houses in the gated communities on this resort island, a magnet for wealthy retirees seeking a laid-back lifestyle by the sea. Starletta, a former flight attendant, won accolades for her community activism.
Then Hilton Head suddenly saw a wave of illegal immigrant workers from Mexico. Mr. Hairston, 54 years old, initially hired the Hispanic newcomers for his stucco business, helping it flourish. But soon, some of those same workers splintered off to form their own businesses, undercutting Mr. Hairston with lower bids to capture jobs.
The Hairstons’ saga shows that the issue is not just about low-paid workers, but also entrepreneurs who set out to make their own fortune.
William Hairston has since moved his business to North Carolina. Meanwhile, his wife, Starletta Hairston is a Beaufort County Council member actively working to stem the tide of illegal immigrants in the county. Naturally, the business community opposes the actions, for it would place hardships on construction companies and the service sector.
The two sides hammered out a compromise known as the “Lawful Employment Ordinance.” Final vote on the ordinance takes place at a special meeting of the council on December 27th, just days before six new council members will be sworn in on Jan. 2.
by David Burn | Dec 1, 2006 | Media, Politics
I don’t often link to the National Review (in fact, I never have), but I’m compelled to do so today.
According to Think Progress, right-wing radio host Dennis Prager wrote a column earlier this week bitching about U.S. Representative-elect Keith Ellison’s (D-MN) intent to take his oath of office not on the Bible, but on the Koran. Ellison is the first Muslim ever elected to Congress. Prager claimed this “act undermines American civilization,” and compared it to being sworn in with a copy of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
Thankfully, Eugene Volokh, Professor of Law at UCLA, has a much more measured approach to the subject.
The U.S. Constitution is a multiculturalist document. Not in all senses, of course: It tries to forge a common national culture as well as tolerating other cultures. But it is indeed multiculturalist in important ways.
The Constitution expressly authorizes people not to swear at all, but to affirm, without reference to God or to a sacred work. Atheists and agnostics are thus protected, as well as members of certain Christian groups (like Quakers, who don’t believe in swearing oaths). Why would Muslims and others not be equally protected from having to perform a religious ritual that expressly invokes a religion in which they do not believe? Under the Constitution, all of them “are incapable of taking an oath on that book,” whether because they are Quakers, atheists, agnostics, or Muslims. Yet all remain entirely free to “serve in Congress.”
Presidents Franklin Pierce and Herbert Hoover (a Quaker) didn’t swear at all, but rather affirmed.
Clearly, knowledge of American history and the U.S. Constitution are not prerequisites for being a radio talk show host.
Maybe we can change that.
by David Burn | Nov 19, 2006 | Lowcountry, Media, Politics
State Highway 462, south of Coosawhatchie, Jasper County, SC
Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words.
There’s a popular Rebel Flag bumper sticker in these parts that says, “Heritage, Not Hate.” While one could argue the merits of that message, at least there’s an effort being made to say, “Hey, we’re not racists, we just love the South.” But “Never Forget” does not achieve this. Rather, it reinforces in a stark manner what happened here, namely slavery and the War of Northern Agression (which forever put an end to the plantation economy). While sentiments like “The South’s gonna rise again” are common in some parts, it is rare to see the defiant but dreamy message so plainly displayed as it is on this outdoor board.
by David Burn | Nov 8, 2006 | Media, Politics
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.” -Plato
I normally tune out conservative propagandists, but in the wake of last night’s election returns, I was curious how they were handling the news. Not well.
CNN’s douche du jour, Glenn Beck characterized the Democrat’s platform as “the politics of destruction.” His assertion would be laughable, if it wasn’t so twisted. I don’t know how it happened, but Republicans have become masters of semantic deception. They take whatever it is they themselves are–draft dodgers, spendaholics, criminals, pervs, etc.–and claim that’s what their opposition is.
On my way in to the office this morning, I paused to hear what radio luminaries, Rick and Bubba (not to be confused with Johnboy and Billy) had to say. They claimed the Democrat platform goes against Biblical teachings. Yeah, that makes sense. Taking care of the poor, the environment, the sick, and looking out for the interests of minorities and other disenfranchised Americans is clearly the work of Satan.
I’m done letting this slide. The ideas these people promote need to be marginalized. Which brings me to the epigraph above. It’s time for all good Americans to get involved. Our nation needs a new energy policy, serious investment in education, food and health care for all and a deeper commitment to protecting the environment. And that’s just for starters.
Are you prepared to help? Or do you prefer to act like a parrot and mouth Karl Rove’s latest talking points?
[UPDATE] This bumper sticker speaks volumes.
by David Burn | Nov 8, 2006 | Politics
Wow, that didn’t take long. Just hours after a sweeping Democrat victory in the midterm elections, President Bush announced that his Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will step down.
According to Bloomberg, former Central Intelligence Agency Director Robert M. Gates will replace Rumsfeld at the Pentagon. Gates was head of the U.S. spy agency under Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush.
Democrats were quick today to call the election a mandate to change the U.S. course in Iraq.
“Nowhere was the call for a new direction more clear from the American people than in the war in Iraq,” House Majority Leader-to-be Nancy Pelosi said today. “We know that stay-the-course is not working, has not made our country safer, it has not honored our commitment to our troops and it has not brought stability to the region. We must not continue on this catastrophic path.”
The death toll of U.S. military personnel in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion stood at 2,836 as of today, and more than 21,572 have been wounded, according to Pentagon figures.
by David Burn | Nov 5, 2006 | Politics
President Bush called Google, “The Google” recently. Which goes nicely with his earlier blunder, “the Internets.”
Jim Hopkins at USA Today’s blog, Small Business Connections, may have found the source of Bush’s speech impediments.
Young tech companies are among the fastest growers and biggest producers of new wealth — a potent source of campaign money for Tuesday’s congressional elections. Ditto for the 2008 presidential race.
That’s why it’s noteworthy that Google’s employees and its political action committee continue to be among the most loyal donors to Democrats within the tech industry, new federal campaign data show.
In the current campaign cycle, 98% of the $176,323 given by Google to federal candidates and causes has gone to Democrats, says this chart at the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, which is well above the 50/50 split for the technology industry as a whole.
The chart shows Dell to be the most Republican-frendly firm in the tech sector, though Oracle is not far behind.
