If you’ve ever wondered, while watching what purports to pass as TV news and journalism by some of the popular talking heads, “Are they going for ratings?”, Michelle Wolf thinks you’re on to something. She calls it “Entertainment Explosion!” [NSFW – Language (What can I say? It’s cable.)] [Read more…]
World Cup of Soccer 2018 + West Coast TV Schedule
The World at Play and the US isn’t there. Ah, gee..
Saudi Arabia and Russia are kicking it off, opening the games, June 14. How humorously ironic, our arch-« enemies » from the past-present, not that anyone in the US cares, because we are building The Wall and we aren’t in The Games. I bet that Russia wins the opening match. I’ll be watching. It is decidedly agreed by the soccer powers that the hosting country (Russia 2018) will make it to the semi-finals, at least. That’s the least one can do for the hosting country, n’est-ce pas?
Like we boycotted the Russian Olympic Games of 197whatever…because they were warring with Afganistan, god bless them, the English tried it and failed, we tried it and failed…too bad Afganistan doesn’t develop their soccer league, they would champion! And even though the Russians are hacking our computers and influencing our politics, according to the press who are quoting The Initials (NSA, CIA, FBI..), we still, or perhaps because of, didn’t make the playoffs.
Is that the fault of Trump? I thought they liked him? well, God bless America, my home sweet home. Better luck in four years. [Read more…]
Anthony Bourdain—’As Honest and Fearless in His Words as He Was in His Travels’
By Jake Johnson / Common Dreams
Celebrated chef, television host, and writer Anthony Bourdain—whose global travels brought an American audience perspectives on the food and political climates of Laos, Africa, the occupied Gaza Strip, and other distant cultures that are rarely depicted on major television networks—has died of apparent suicide at the age of 61.
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” CNN, which has aired Bourdain’s show “Parts Unknown” since 2013, said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink, and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much.”
While Bourdain’s shows and writings were ostensibly centered on his experience of strange, exotic, and extraordinary food across the globe, he frequently offered incisive and deeply humane political commentary that laid waste to conventional narratives and held the powerful to account for their crimes. [Read more…]
A Net Neutrality Vote in the House of Representatives Needs a Push from You
By Ernesto Falcon / Common Dreams
The United States Senate has voted to overturn the FCC and restore net neutrality protections, the fate of that measure currently rests in the House of Representatives. While many will think that the uphill battle there makes it a lost cause, that is simply not true. Together, we have the power to win in the House of Representatives.
Now that the Senate has officially voted 52-47 to reverse the FCC’s so-called “Restoring Internet Freedom Order” under an expedited procedure known as the Congressional Review Act (CRA). It is now pending a vote in the House of Representatives. And while many will incorrectly assume since House Republican leadership has expressed their opposition to ever voting on net neutrality, nothing will come of it, the wishes of the leadership are frankly irrelevant.
What actually matters is whether 218 members of the House of Representatives from either party want to vote to protect net neutrality through a process called a “discharge petition.” [Read more…]
World Press Freedom Day: US Press Freedom Ranking Drops To 45th
May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day as declared by the United Nations. This year’s theme is “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law”.
By Mark Taylor Canfield / Daily Kos
Although this annual commemoration serves to highlight the struggle for press freedoms around the globe, the real work of securing these rights goes on daily in dozens of nations where reporters are threatened, jailed and killed.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 262 reporters were imprisoned in 2017. 62 have been killed in 2018 and 58 are missing globally.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the press is facing major challenges from an adversarial presidential administration. [Read more…]
And We’re Back [Technical Difficulties]
Someone with a backhoe somewhere severed some fiber optic cable, causing the San Diego Free Press, the OB Rag, and dozens of other sites to go offline late on Wednesday morning.
There was no Deep State conspiracy (that we know of).
We now resume our normal programming [Read more…]
I Read the News Today, Oh Boy. And Realized I Should Start Paying for It.
Today’s column will come as a shocker to some folks. I’ve thought long and hard about this as someone who regularly offers up analysis of current events.
I grew up as a writer steeped in loathing for the establishment press. The hostility displayed towards the ideals and dreams of a generation that thought they could change the world needed to be answered. And our Smith-Corona typewriters were going to get it done.
Now I’m going to tell you the time has come where this attitude is counter-productive. A relentless assault on reason has led me to the conclusion that the best defense against propaganda is a flood of facts, even when the messengers aren’t on the same page as we are. [Read more…]
When is Local TV Not Really Local? Sinclair Broadcast Group’s ‘Must Run’ Content | Video Worth Watching
When is local TV not really local? According to reporting by ThinkProgress, Sinclair Broadcast Group provides its stations with content that each station is required to run as part of its local news programming. The content is referred to as ‘must run’ material. The stations do not identify the programming as having been provided by their corporate owner and thus this material appears to be from the local station itself. Deadspin recently posted a video that dramatically showcased this practice. How does this shady policy shape public perception? Here’s John Oliver in a segment from late last year after Sinclair had announced its plan to acquire Tribune Media. He expertly and hilariously points out the deceptive nature and pernicious consequences of this practice. [Read more…]
Cambridge Analytica Scandal: A Threat to Democracy and Facebook’s Future
There’s some disturbing news about our digital existence emerging. A company called Cambridge Analytica used data from Facebook to build psychographics to influence political perceptions and voting behavior. The profiles of 50 million users of the ubiquitous social media platform were harvested through a contract with a UK-based research firm (Global Science Research, GSR).
Investigations by the Intercept, the Guardian/Observer, the New York Times, and undercover footage from the British Channel 4 network reveal a company whose use and abuse of data–along with more conventional covert activities–crossed the line between consumer persuasion to political manipulation.
According to CNN, Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie says the company tested Trump slogans such as “drain the swamp” and “deep state” as early as 2014, before Trump announced a presidential run. [Read more…]
Has Rick Gates Had His ‘Queen for a Day’ Meeting With the Mueller Team? | Video Worth Watching
Barbara McQuade, former U.S. attorney discusses with Rachel Maddow the significance of reports that Rick Gates, former Trump campaign staffer, has had a “Queen for a Day” interview with the Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team. If true, this would likely mean a third co-operating witness for the team.
(Plus bonus archival clip of actual “Queen for a Day” episode!) [Read more…]
The Trump-Fox & Friends Feedback Loop, Explained | Video Worth Watching
Ever noticed how Trump’s tweets seem to echo the coverage of content on Fox & Friends? You aren’t imagining things. Vox producers Carlos Maza and Coleman Lowndes present the results of a study by Alvin Chang that clearly show how material on the show is transformed almost directly into tweets! [Read more…]
Statement on Kelly Davis Case: Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego Chapter
By The Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego chapter
The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is deeply concerned about San Diego County government’s inappropriate treatment of journalist Kelly Davis after she exposed the deaths of dozens of people in its jails. Its action represents a failure of transparency and a misguided attack on a journalist instead of an attack on the very real and important problems she uncovered. [Read more…]
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