Archive for April, 2008

Apr
18

abc debate a disgrace

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Posted by shampton in journalism

I’m going to contend that the following positions do not equate to a journalist in the academic/accredited sense: Washington Correspondent, Commentator, Host, Moderator, News Anchor, Political Advisor/Analyst.

The questions posed to the candidates at the PA. debate were in poor taste, and a disgrace to Edward R. Murrow. They were delivered in a predominantly derogatory tone and the all-too-familiar cadence of modern broadcast television news.

I think we’ve grown tired of the ‘pitting them against one another’ bit. I’d prefer to hear what the candidates have to say regarding their plans for helping America. Isn’t that what we all want? To help America? I don’t think these questions are going to help families still struggling and living in FEMA trailers in New Orleans, but hey, maybe I’m wrong. Use airtime to inspire people, not gorge on trashy tabloid trivialities.

The first question was about who would be number two on the ticket and i’ll only say that my advice to both candidates is that I expect either one of them to be more than happy to have the honor of being vice-president. Hey, they both (I hope) would have a better job of restoring integrity and the public’s faith in the senate and congress.

And then later came the most infamous, inane question of the debate; what I believe we will be seeing replays of for years to come, when arguments against the corrosive effect of broadcast ‘news entertainment’ are levied; ”Do you think Rev. Wright loves America more than you?“

Seriously? Seriously?! You won’t find better political satire on ‘The Family Guy’ or ‘The Daily Show’ Continue Reading

Apr
09

the price of vice

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Posted by shampton in video

From prostitution in China, which has an estimated 6-10 million sex workers, to the world’s largest marijuana plantations in Morocco, Vanguard Journalist Laura Ling looks at how criminal activity has become industrialized and in many cases has reached an “almost legal” status. Like most conventional industries, it’s the workers at the bottom of the ladder that take on the brunt of the labor, and get remunerated the least. Vanguard gives a face to these everyday people who make up the foundation of these illegal enterprises so big that they amount to major industries. Premieres Wednesday, April 9th 10PM ET/7PM PT on Current TV

Apr
01

overworn underwear

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Posted by shampton in satire, writing

Listen, I understand that we are all overwhelmed and overworked. However, under the circumstances, I feel compelled to occupy just a few precious moments of your time and share with you some observations I have made in the past few weeks that underscore an underlying pattern.

Let’s start at the top, where the government seems to be caught under a spell; unwilling to compromise, unreliable, even under oath, not to mention in need of a serious overhaul of epic proportions. To make matters worse, the deciders and politicians, when they are not under investigation, are far too overpowering, overpaid, often over budget, overstating an underperforming and over-inflated economy, acting under false pretense, and over and over again, overstepping their bounds.

On my way to work today, I couldn’t help but notice that the transit systems are becoming overcrowded and under funded. Furthermore, basic infrastructures are perpetually under construction, always behind schedule, and state & local agencies; overburdened and overextended. And on the odd day I decide to drive to work; us drivers, well, I’m not pointing any fingers, but we have become just a bit overaggressive. A parking spot on the street: increasingly unavailable. And don’t even get me started about public parking: way too overpriced.

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