Momma always said......

This is something that just gets under my skin.

Socialism and Communism are political philosophies. The merits of each can be argued for eternity. What they are not however, is synonyms for "things I do not like".

This is something that happens all to often. Even if a policy is socialistic in nature that does not make it bad policy. We have a mixed economy for a reason.

-Cheers

Talking about Wikileaks....

I have some conflicted feelings on the whole Wikileaks scandal. In general I am certain that the government is abusing its ability to classify its activities as "secret". But I am aware that Julian Assange is definitely an ass, and is accused of rape, so yeah not the most savory of individuals.

But this discussion on CNN, involving Glenn Greenwald, is as good a summation as you will get on the various points. Warning Greenwald drinks both of their milkshakes. Ms. Yelin and Ms. Townsend are out of their league on this subject.



-Cheers

The peevishness of the modern day journalist

Another day, another chance to point out how thin skinned establishment journalists are to criticism. A little bit ago, I pointed out a some exchanges between Joe Klein and Glenn Greenwald.

Well it got a bit more involved yesterday. Joe Klein blew the proverbial gasket. Greenwald tentatively dips his toe into the muck.

Now I have approvingly posted both men over this course of this blog, but I have also agreed with many of the Greenwald's concerns and criticisms with some of Joe Klein's the pieces as well. Klein is at times the best example of what is wrong with mainstream media journalism.

But as Greenwald points out in his post many other bloggers take Klein to task for his mendacity.

It is all well worth a read. And count me as a "pathetic acolyte".

-Cheers

Weekend Omnibus

Sort of a catch all for the weekend.

Hung out with some friends, celebrated a birthday, went to a themed party as well as to a 'house warming' party. The theme was rock stars, and a friend went as Lady Gaga. She looked good too! Though less 'mannish' looking. The only things missing from her costume were 1) pyrotechnics and 2) a penis.

Got to see some movies this weekend, District 9 and Inglorious Basterds. They were both quite enjoyable.

It seems my arm is finally healing.

But that aside, now for the complaining.

Periodically I have commented on the perfidy of the MSM (mainstream media). Mainly their complicity in the ongoing horror that is governance and policy debates in this country. This is yet another one of those days where I feel the need to point those situations out more.

There were a couple of dust ups over the weekend between:

Joe Klein vs. Glenn Greenwald vs Chuck Todd vs Jeremy Scahill

I would recommend reading them, with accompanying links. It is informative for both the lack of accountability our journalist seem to feel, and how they react to criticism. Mind you while I have been highly critical of of Joe Klein in the past his sourcing does tend to be good and as for Chuck, well....I am a bit of a fan. But on this Greenwald and Scahill have him dead to rights.

Whether it would be a political mess or not, somethings are worth prosecuting. We are either a nation of laws or a nation of men. That is the issue. It will be messy at times, but that is the price we pay.

-Cheers

A good read....

This Op-Ed piece by Frank Rich is as good a critique and homage of the mainstream media, and Walter Cronkite as I have read.

Echoing Glenn Greenwald in some ways.

It truly gets at the pervasive and pernicious nature of our media today.

Also Dr. Krugman brings the knowledge on an important aspect of the healthcare debate.

-Cheers