Narrowcasting and Narrow Minds

If the history books are any indication it was the invention of printing that made the first information revolution possible, and that put information in the hands of ordinary people. Throughout the 20th century radio and television created the mass audience, that not only entertained the public but also allowed a public forum for the discussion of issues and ideas. Within the last 20 years, the growth of the internet and portable media players have created the phenomenon of "narrowcasting."

The term "narrowcasting" isn't new, supposedly it was coined in the late 60's. In the 1970's we saw the use of right-wing AM radio shows to push conservative politics. The establishment of Fox News, a propaganda channel pretending to provide news, is the ultimate example of narrowcasting. Supposedly people can now only listen to the media that they like, but they never have to listen to anybody else. That is why people can still believe that President Obama is a Kenya born Muslim and the Global Warming is a conspiracy invented by "evil scientists." The fans of right wing media have given up control of their brains to the owners of the conglomerates. That's what they should be worried about.

Pinning the Blame

Robert Gates in his recent book accuses the Obama administration of "lacking passion" for war and of being guided by "political" considerations. As if the invasion of Iraq had any but a political rationale: insuring that GWB would get his second term. He also complains that Obama officials didn't show enough "respect" to the top brass. Gates also complains about having to testify before Congress. Gates' real problem is that he resents living in a democracy and would probably feel happier serving a military dictatorship.

It's clear that Iraq and Afghanistan are going to implode eventually and it's also clear what the right wing narrative is going to be; to blame everything on the Obama administration. President Obama's real mistake was in keeping Gates on as Sec. of Defense. We have already sacrificed enough in lives, in a ruined economy and a polarized political climate. To warmongers like Gates we should ask the question, why should we destroy America in the name of militarism?

Chris Christie's Sleazy Regime

Chris Christie became governor of New Jersey in 2009, showing the blustery bullying style that is so appealing to the Tea Partiers. Since assuming office he has been known for waging war on public education and for threatening his opponents with baseball bats. Except during Hurricane Sandy (Oct. 2012) Christie suddenly realized that he had a use for the Federal Government after, as a source of reconstruction aid. That led to attacks by ultra-rightists and Tea Baggers that Christie was a "traitor." Christie himself hasn't changed but the Tea Party has continued descending into deeper insanities, and so Christie now looks like a "moderate."

That may not matter much longer. It has been recently revealed that three Christie staffers deliberately close lanes on the George Washington Bridge that connects Fort Lee N.J. to New York City. The culprits were Bridget Anne Kelly, a top Christie aide, and David Wildstein and David Samson, members of the Port Authority appointed by Christie.
The targets of the bridge closures were Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich and State Senator Loretta Weinberg, both Democrats and Christie opponents. Kelly, Wildstein and Samson are out and Christie denies any knowledge of the incident. But investigations are just getting under way.

The closure of the George Washington Bridge is the sort of thing we would expect in a corrupt third world country. This shows how much the GOP and the Tea Party have degraded this country.

We So Do Not Need This

Calling out instances of racism is not at all amusing, in fact it's rather like cleaning out the bath tub; ugly and unpleasant. Still, racism of the garden variety, knocking other people to make yourself look good, continues to proliferate. Amy Chua, the infamous "Tiger Mom," and her husband Jed Rubenfeld have published a book called "The Triple Package" which argues that some ethnic groups are better than others, Jews, Chinese, Nigerians, Cubans, Nigerians, do better than others because they "feel superior" to others and because they have more impulse control. There's no real discussion as to why Cubans are "better" than Mexicans or Puerto Ricans, or why Nigerians are better than other African nationalities. I also suspect that Chua's Sinitic supremacism isn't going too well with Japanese or Koreans. Chua and Rubenfeld may think they're so smart but their arguments would only convince stupid people.

What's disturbing is that racists have become more flagrant. They make offensive and stupid statements and act like they're being very brave. It seems that the discussion of race in this country is going backwards than forwards.