re-media blog - Recent Comments

Novel Idea

Sean — Sun, 27 May 2007 03:30:04 GMT

Just finished reading a novel about media reform. Author creates a media detective. Pretty cool. You can find it at http://randygarsee.b...
Enjoy,
Sean

Let's not confuse the issues

jlukacher — Fri, 11 May 2007 02:58:27 GMT

Fred

My response to this exchange would be that we should at least make the mechanics of voting as transparent and accountable as possible which is impossible with computer based voting. The other part of this voting issue goes to blatant violations of voting rights aided by the DOJ in the form of poll taxes and malicious prosecutions of minorities and opposition candidates. At the moment these abuses are being perpetuated by the Republicans [ abetted by naive or corrupt or cowardly Dems] who have publicly announced that their goal is single party control. Of course incumbents at all levels use their power to maneuver for their own political advantage. But what Gonzales did was take oversight and hiring power away from the politically appointed but credentialled management team of senior officials who were subject to some degree of protocol & accountability and gave the power to political minions answerable only to the corporate agenda of Bushco.

Corporate influence & money is sinister, invasive & bi-partisan, and will also only be addressed by the grass-roots. But that's for another event.

Joanne

Let's continue to follow this

jlukacher — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:34:31 GMT

Thanks for this interesting post and the political action. I hope you will continue to follow-up and let us know how we can participate.

from Kirsten Gillibrand's office - 202-225-5614

Griffin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:00:18 GMT

The staffer asked for my email so he could send me answers to my questions about preventing a bush attack on Iran and also about Gillibrand's opposition to permanent US military bases in Iraq i.e. what can we do to make sure there won't be any. Gina, the charming tigress who ran the Rhinebeck campaign office and wouldn't let you walk away without first committing to volunteer to help Kirsten somehow, somewhere, was on another call. They're working hard in DC for sure.

John Hall's congressional office--202-225-5441

Griffin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:48:45 GMT

from Hall's office---

Griffin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:39:10 GMT

I forgot to ask the staffer's name I spoke with, but he took plenty of time to answer my questions- he said Congressman Hall was disappointed that wording in the recent Iraq bill about preventing an attack on Iran was dropped. Hall feels the power to declare war or initiate military action resides with Congress. The staffer was a little uncertain about when the War Powers Act applies. I said I thought the pres. could do all the fighting he wanted for 90 days before needing congressional approval. Maybe Congressman Nadler is submitting a new bill aimed at preventing an attack on Iran. People are discussing how to handle this issue, and 'people know where John stands'. The staffer thought calling up congresspersons was a good idea. Summary statement? something is in the works...

Military Spending

jlukacher — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:16:37 GMT

Thanks for the lead to this article Fred. It's a good one to have on the blog.

Ignore until war

jlukacher — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 23:47:57 GMT

There were dribs and drabs of this on the cable news this afternoon, but mostly it was Anna-Nicole nonsense. There was also something about a confrontation with Iranian troops in Iraq. Bush needs a major distraction from the scandals of his administration which are now being uncovered hourly. WWIII - that should do it.

Spotlight feature, etc.

jlukacher — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:33:26 GMT

Hi Tom,

I have used the spotlight feature many times and yes, I think would be great if we could have it. I only wish it could also be targeted for elected officials who can only hear the claims and criticisms of the msm.

The FDL post last night on Judith Miller by Phoenix Woman and Glen Greenwald yesterday evening on the vapid self-love fest of the pundits on Hardball were excellent!
I was planning to post both here. What is the process for including video?

It's great that you did that. If the 1,000 people on re-media's mailing list...

Griffin — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:56:56 GMT

Hi Joanne,
Firedoglake is doing so great lately, covering many angles of many stories. Did you see that they're starting up the netroots again? I think there will be an announcement tomorrow. Do you see how to use the "Spotlight" feature on their blog, and do you think we should introduce it on the re-media blog?

I think it's very important to combine criticism and praise and clear goals or values as your letter did. Jane Hamsher is continuing the process at http://www.firedogla.... You've probably seen it already, but I keep promoting FDL because they keep breaking new ground in new media.

Media reform

jlukacher — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:30:16 GMT

I sent a note to NPR/All Things Considered complimenting their coverage of Josh Marshall & TPM. I reframed from pointing out that Josh first shot to fame (of sorts) for pointing out that Trent Lot's comments at Strom Thurmond's birthday party were really an endorsement (intentional or not) of Thurmond's racist politics. I well remember NPR's light-hearted coverage of the party on All Things Considered and my shock at their obliviousness to the implications of Lot's remarks which they played on the show. This was also my first introduction to TPM when Marshall's observation was referenced by Paul Krugman in the TImes.

I did take the opportunity in my email today to point out that the document collection at TPM was an excellent source for research on the scandals of the present administration and that TPM's work on many stories, especially the phony Niger documents, could use the kind of broad exposure only national network (NPR) media could provide.

Poughkeepsie Journal Covers the Massive Peace Demonstrations

jlukacher — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:12:34 GMT

For an example how a similar situation was reported in the national press see these recent posts from firedoglake.com "Anatomy of a Conservative Sissy Attack" and "Anatomy of a Con Job." http://www.firedogla.... Perhaps we should all contact the Poughkeepsie Journal and ask how this story was put together.

Hey! Look! Here's some thoughtful analysts getting heard!!!

Griffin — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:16:01 GMT

Firedoglake is a blog. It has provided the best coverage of the Libby Trial available in the world. It's been getting 200,000 hits a day, and its video commentaries have been in the top ten on YouTube.
Here's a post on media criticism that explains something very important- We can do something about the obvious problems of the media. Don't have to just complain any more. And there's more ideas in the comments section.

http://www.firedogla...

I agree with these points, but then the writer seems to stop and surrender

Griffin — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 01:01:11 GMT

Hi Fred,
I like the way he presents his view but would like him (or you) to describe what you think can be done about it.

Here's the part I'm most interested in:
"thoughtful analysts who explain why can barely get their voices
heard, much less be taken seriously."
I think this is re-media's job- to get voices heard and discuss what
they have to say.
Including:
1. Letters to Editors
there's a group called RapidResponse that coordinates letters
2. On firedoglake, at the bottom of each post before the comments is
a feature called Spotlight which is a way to make responses to media
writers easy.
3. promoting alternative media like your radio program (link in blogroll)
4. Maybe, using our mailing list to run some surveys about that group
feels is going on and what to do about it.
5. blogs or online courses for organized study, like a teach-in or
study group on issues of Iran, voting machines, third parties,
6. linking to local efforts like the Albany Project that's on the blog roll to the right of the homepage.
7. At a minimum, use the comments section on this blog to express opinions.

who controls NPR and how?

Griffin — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:51:27 GMT

hi Fred,
do you have any information on how policy is set at NPR? do they have anything like letters to the editor? do you think they respond to criticism? they've got a great brand, but do seem to be parrotting a bit. It would be nice to know if there was something we could do to influence them. or do you think it is hopeless?
On your radio show last week did you include the tape of the meeting with Gillibrand?

A recording of the Saturday meeting with Gillibrand

Griffin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:59:23 GMT

Audio from a forum last week with Rep. Gillibrand (D-NY 20thCD) mixed
with music, as aired Mon., Feb 19, 2007 on WBAI-FM, 99.5 in NYC on
the morning drive-time program Wakeup Call w/Deepa Fernandes.

http://www.regionalr...

Here's a leaked copy of the new Iraqi Oil Law

Griffin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 14:21:34 GMT

This translation was linked from Juan Cole's site Monday morning:

http://raedinthemidd...

Raed Jarrar, the translator will be providing more analysis soon. His initial criticisms of the law are that it privatizes Iraq's oil, provides unusually high profits to the foreign companies, and creates the financial basis for splitting Iraq into three separate countries by sending revenues directly to three regions rather than to the central government.

Which leads to specific questions for Kirsten:
Does she think this law meets her requirement (as reported by Fred) that Iraqi oil belongs to Iraq?
If she thinks there are problems with the law, are there things she can do to correct the situation?
If she needs support from her constituents to work for a better law, what's the plan?

One reason I'm glad she's in office is that I have a feeling that when I send in these questions to her office, there's a good chance I'll get a response. Not like Sweeney. More later.
Tom

Local News! A discussion! Using the blog!

Griffin — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:41:45 GMT

Hi Fred,
There's now a link to Activist Radio on the blogroll to the right, so it will be easy to find your Wednesday broadcast about the Gillibrand meeting. I'm glad re-media is starting to provide some news and discussion. Thank you for your report and your up-coming broadcast.
Full Disclosure- I like Gillibrand and I'm glad she won. I'm glad you're "not writing Gillibrand off" after her first month on the job.

I'd like to hear more about how you define this "neoliberal" category. I think she's right to oppose permanent bases in Iraq, and oppose U.S. control of Iraq's oil. You call those "hollow promises", but did she promise to deliver that or are they objectives she needs help in achieving? Sounds to me like she's anti-imperialist rather than "committed to running the empire better". I also think she was opposing an invasion of Iran independant of the pressure of the meeting.

We need more discussion. I would like to know how Gillibrand feels about the proposed Iraqi oil law that would give 30-year contracts and a high percentage of profits to foreign companies. Also, how does she think missile and bomber attacks of Iran instead of invasion can be prevented?

It would be great if you'd put up some links to some of the groups represented at the meeting.