Saturday, February 28, 2004
A Tale of Two Pictures
A "Washington Post" article today features Ken Light, a photographer who, in the early 1970s, was creating a photo record of the Vietnam War protests. In upstate New York one summer day in 1971, he took a picture of John Kerry, who was addressing a large crowd who opposed the US presence in Vietnam.
Fast forward to today, and the reason Mr. Light is writing this article. It seems that partisans have doctored the photo to put Kerry right next to "Hanoi" Jane Fonda in an effort to discredit the Kerry campaign for the presidency.
The photo has made its way around the Internet and was debunked first by Urban Legends and now, for those who don't know any better, by the photographer himself in a nationally prominent newspaper.
A Kerry campaign ad this election year should have the morphed photo with the caption: "George Bush--He say or do anything to get elected."
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Fast forward to today, and the reason Mr. Light is writing this article. It seems that partisans have doctored the photo to put Kerry right next to "Hanoi" Jane Fonda in an effort to discredit the Kerry campaign for the presidency.
The photo has made its way around the Internet and was debunked first by Urban Legends and now, for those who don't know any better, by the photographer himself in a nationally prominent newspaper.
A Kerry campaign ad this election year should have the morphed photo with the caption: "George Bush--He say or do anything to get elected."
Friday, February 27, 2004
Clear Channel's crocodile tears
This week, if you haven't already seen, read, or heard, Clear Channel went before Congress to express its moral outrage over the indecency on its channels. In a new zero tolerance policy (see below), the execs stated that they would fire any of its on-air personalities who violated good taste. To make good on that threat, the next day, Clear Channel fired Tampa area shock jock "Bubba the Love Sponge" (his homepage is gone but the cached version can still be accessed from google). Further, Clear Channel knocked Howard Stern off the six CC stations that carried him as a show that their "get tough" policy was the real McCoy.
But as this Salon article points out (membership required), the move by CC is a joke. First, both Stern and Love Sponge have been on CC station for years, and both have been publicly vulgar (Stern has racked up huge FCC fines and Love Sponge slaughtered a pig on air last year that landed him in court for animal cruelty. Second, the move against Stern is actually a strategic one. Infinity broadcasting syndicates the Howard Stern show. Thus, for CC to dump Stern, allows them to show that they are standing up against indecency (not really, considering that only 6 stations carried Stern) and puts the onus on Infinity, of which Stern serves as the cornerstone to their broadcasting empire. Now the heat is on Infinity to determine whether they will continue to carry the show or not?
The real sickening point to this story is the show in Congress. Congress is using this stance against vulgarity to mask the rolling over it did last year in allowing the media marketplace to become even more centralized. Not once did you see the sort of show when that issue was hot that you are witnessing now, despite the fact that 750,000 people flooded the FCC with mail to prevent the loosening of regulations. In that instance, Congress was powerless to do anything about the FCC rule because media lobbying is big money. So in an election year, these bozos are falling over themselves to get camera time about indecency yet scurried like cockroaches last year when the decision of whether to uphold or reverse the June FCC rule was before both houses.
I swear we deserve better than this.
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But as this Salon article points out (membership required), the move by CC is a joke. First, both Stern and Love Sponge have been on CC station for years, and both have been publicly vulgar (Stern has racked up huge FCC fines and Love Sponge slaughtered a pig on air last year that landed him in court for animal cruelty. Second, the move against Stern is actually a strategic one. Infinity broadcasting syndicates the Howard Stern show. Thus, for CC to dump Stern, allows them to show that they are standing up against indecency (not really, considering that only 6 stations carried Stern) and puts the onus on Infinity, of which Stern serves as the cornerstone to their broadcasting empire. Now the heat is on Infinity to determine whether they will continue to carry the show or not?
The real sickening point to this story is the show in Congress. Congress is using this stance against vulgarity to mask the rolling over it did last year in allowing the media marketplace to become even more centralized. Not once did you see the sort of show when that issue was hot that you are witnessing now, despite the fact that 750,000 people flooded the FCC with mail to prevent the loosening of regulations. In that instance, Congress was powerless to do anything about the FCC rule because media lobbying is big money. So in an election year, these bozos are falling over themselves to get camera time about indecency yet scurried like cockroaches last year when the decision of whether to uphold or reverse the June FCC rule was before both houses.
I swear we deserve better than this.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
"Media-opoly"
If you haven't seen it already, you should check out Robert Smigel's 1998 "TV Funhouse" clip that took on "Big Media." The clip was not included in reruns of SNL because it did not have "comedic value", according to Lorne Michaels. However, in the clip, GE gets singled out and thebrass were said not to be happy with it.
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Contrition
|Monday, February 23, 2004
Official "Scrubbing"
As I (and others) have documented before, the Bush administration is not shy about altering public documents for political reasons. Earlier this month, Tommy Thompson, Secretary of HHS had to publicly accept a report documenting the serious disparities of health care for minorities in the United States after political heads changed the draft report to minimize any distinction in health care.
Now the head of the Office of Special Counsel was busted for removing any references to the protection from sexual orientation discrimination at the agency, which had been on the agency's website and in official documents. The OSC head "ordered the removal of reference to sexual orientation in a discrimination complaint form, training slides, and a federal employee rights brochure. Additionally, all references to a June 2003 OSC press release announcing the settlement of a sexual orientation discrimination case were removed." This move is counter to policies that have been in place at the OSC since 1975 that makes it illegal to discriminate against homosexuals. Even worse, this move is a slap in the face to the Senate, which got a promise from the OSC head during his recent confirmation hearing that sexual orientation would fall under the office's protection.
Never in any of these stories do you get at where these orders are coming from? These are political decisions, and political decisions are made in the White House, not by agency heads. Despite this, it again is frightening that this administration continues to monkey around with public documents, leaving any trust in the veracity of these documents greatly diminished. I suppose at some point in the near future researchers are going to have to begin adding footnotes to reports that add a caveat that these documents may not reflect reality or may have been or will be altered for political expedience.
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Now the head of the Office of Special Counsel was busted for removing any references to the protection from sexual orientation discrimination at the agency, which had been on the agency's website and in official documents. The OSC head "ordered the removal of reference to sexual orientation in a discrimination complaint form, training slides, and a federal employee rights brochure. Additionally, all references to a June 2003 OSC press release announcing the settlement of a sexual orientation discrimination case were removed." This move is counter to policies that have been in place at the OSC since 1975 that makes it illegal to discriminate against homosexuals. Even worse, this move is a slap in the face to the Senate, which got a promise from the OSC head during his recent confirmation hearing that sexual orientation would fall under the office's protection.
Never in any of these stories do you get at where these orders are coming from? These are political decisions, and political decisions are made in the White House, not by agency heads. Despite this, it again is frightening that this administration continues to monkey around with public documents, leaving any trust in the veracity of these documents greatly diminished. I suppose at some point in the near future researchers are going to have to begin adding footnotes to reports that add a caveat that these documents may not reflect reality or may have been or will be altered for political expedience.
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Be careful what you email
The following is apparently a leaked Republican aide's email on the Texas redistricting decision. The language and strategy are something. I reprint the whole thing because you can never be sure how long this information will stick around. The numbers refer to the District seat:
From: Joby Fortson
Subject: R's will pick up 6-7 seats now in Texas
The maps are now official. I have studied them and this is the most agressive map I have ever seen. This has a real national impact that should assure that Republicans keep the House no matter the national mood.
http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/research/redist/pdf/map_plan01374c.pdf
A quick rundown
1 - Sandlin - it gets more republican by throwing Tyler into the district. The heart of Turner's district goes to this distrioct. A solid state rep or senator could bat Sandlin/Turner in a tight race. The district is over 60% GOP but Sandlin has roots. (prediction lean staying Dem)
2- Turner - the distrcit is moved to the Houston area in an open Republican seat in northeat Harris County. It is new territory made of Brady, Lampson and a little Turner land.= but over 60% Republican (switches to Republican)
3 - Johnson - this Plano based diestrict stays the same (remains R)
4 - Hall - Hall will win this distrcit again IF he runs. However, having the area around Texarkana instead of Tyler ight discourage him. If he retires (as inidcations are he will) this will flip. (switches to R)
5- Hensarling - the district is shrunk and becomes more urban picking up East Dallas and becomes more republican (stays R)
6 - Barton - my boss actually was drawn into a district with both Frost's and Turner's homes however, if they would like to commit political suicide, be my guest. The district has gone from 57% R to 63% adding more Republican territory in Tarrant County. (remains R)
7 - Culberson - the Houston Memorial "old money" dsitrict remains the same (remains R)
8 - Brady - Brady keeps staunch Republican Montgomery County as his base north of Houston and goes north tyo chop off the other half of Turner's rural district that the 1st gobbled up. Montgomery County keeps this VERY republican (remains R)
9 - Lampson - This is a new majority minority african American district drawn for Rep Wilson around Houston Hobby Airport. Lampson is not in it and Bell is effectively drawn out in favor of Wilson (Remains D)
10 - Doggett - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - The district goes from North central Austin (NOT liberal Hyde Park but more north conservative Plugerville area) and stretches to Katy Texas outside of Houston. Robert called this the 290 district. It is very Republican and will be where my friend Brian Walters will be likely running. Littelfield already is a consultant. (sweitches to R)
11 - Edwards - This is the "new" Midland seat drawn for Speaker Craddick protege Connaway who lost a close one of Neugebauer in the Combest open seat. This is very Republican. (Switches to R)
12 - Granger - Granger's district continues to be a dafe Ft. Worth R seat (remains R)
13 - Thornberry - Thornberry remains pretty muich the smae but the map is very wacky at points to appease Speaker Craddick and State Senator Duncan. (remains R)
14 - Paul - Ron Paul and Nick Lampson are drawn together in a republican district. This could be trickier than thought given Paul's unusual behavior. It IS republican though centered around Lake Jackson south of Houston, but Brandon can attest that Galveston is a lean D area. Lake Jackson and points south though are HEAVY R. Tus, the district is 60% R. (remains R)
15 - Hinojosa - I do not know if if Hinojosa will take this one or another of the "stripe" districts. One of these is new and part of the voting rights protection element. They run from Austin area to the border side by side. (remains D)
16 - Reyes - this El Paso seat remains relatively unchanged (remains D)
17 - Stenholm - Really its the one Chet Edwards will run in and . . . bye Chet. Chet loses his Killeen-Ft. Hood Base in exchange for conservative Johnson County. They will not like the fact he kills babies, prevents kids from praying and wants to take their guns. State Rep Arlene Wohlgemuth come on down, you are the next Congressman from Texas. To be fair, while Edwards will likely lose, at least he has a fighting chance as Waco is the population center (but hasn't he been LOSING Waco lately - yep!) (switches to R)
18 - Jackson-Lee - as much as we despise her, she cannot be drawn out. She still has the 5th ward and downtown Houston. The Queen lives!!!! (remains D)
19 - Neugebauer - thsi is easily the wackiest district and evidently was the last one drawn. It places Stenholm and Neugebauer in the same seat but most of it is Neugebauer's Lubbock based territory. Stenholm has a chnace because it is very Ag oriented. Abilene just simply replaces Midland as the other population center. Once you see the map, you will shake your head at this one. The overwhelming R nature of it gives the freshman the edge, but Tim Holden in Pennsylvania showed that is not necessarily all it takes. (remains R in a close member-member battle)
20 - Gonzalez - The Alamo still will keep its rep in a similar district. Tony Zafirini's boss is safe (Remains D)
21 - Lamar Smith - this district still has Alamo Heights (rich San Antonio), Westlake (rich west Austin) and San Marcos - (remains R)
22 - Tom DeLay - DeLay, the supposed architect of this map according to Dems, still has his strong R base in Sugarland but gives away enough R's to give Paul and even greater edge in the 14th. (remains R)
23 - Bonilla - half of Webb County (laredo) goes to Hispanic districts and he gets more of Bexar Copunty (north San Antonio) in return to shore up this slowly more Dem growing seat. (remains R)
24 - Frost - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hello Congressman Marchant (a state Senator). His distrcit disappeared as Burgess takes inner city Ft. Worth, Eddie Bernice Johnson takes his part of inner city Dallas, Sessions takes his hispanic voters in central Dallas and Barton takes his home in north Arlington. It simply disappears in a Coppell centered district in the VERY republican mid-cities area between Dallas and Ft. Worth. This is the D's best legal challenge as inner city Ft. Worth will now be outnumbered in a Rpublican suburban district (see CD 26). However, the creation of a new african american seat in Houston so that new map should pass the challenge. (switches to R)
25 - Bell - this seat is removed from the Houston area (in its place is the new african american district) and this is one of the new "stripe" districts running from Austin to the border. It takes hispanic east Austin and runs to the border. (remains D)
26 - Burgess - the old Armey seat takes on 150,000 inner city Ft. Worth residents but is paired with 450,000 fervent republicans in Denton County. Lewisville, Denton and other VERY republican areas north make it, over 60% R despite the presence of inner city Ft. Worth. (remains R)
27 - Ortiz - This district still has the Texas coastline from Corpus Christi to Brownsville in the beginning of the strpie districts. (remains D)
28 - Ciro Rodriguez likely will still run in the final "stripe" district that runs from Chinagrove (the little town outside of San Antone from Doobie Brothers fame) all the way to the border. (remains D)
29 - Gene Green - this is still a hispanic seat that gets even more hispanic in Houston. I expect Gene Green to keep it but watch for the primary challenge (remains D)
30 - Eddie Bernice Johnson - she takes Frost's african American population in Dallas and lets her republican precincts (like las colinas) go. Her district finally for the first time make perfect sense geographically. (remains D)
31 - Sessions - still has the Park Cities (rich Dallas) and north Dallas. However, he pciks up some hispanic voters from the old Frost district. This is still a VERY republcian seat as people from the Park Cities vote in great numbers. remember this is the infamous 75225 zip code which raise alomst 20% of Bush's presidential money and voted in the largets precinct 97% Bush-3% Dukakis. This district does not just have people who vote republican but people who ARE republican. (remains R)
32- Carrter - the final district is another gem. Edwards loses the republicans that suppiort him and they now are with John Carter in a Williamson County centered district. This is made for Carter and is still very safe republcian territory. (remains R)
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From: Joby Fortson
Subject: R's will pick up 6-7 seats now in Texas
The maps are now official. I have studied them and this is the most agressive map I have ever seen. This has a real national impact that should assure that Republicans keep the House no matter the national mood.
http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/research/redist/pdf/map_plan01374c.pdf
A quick rundown
1 - Sandlin - it gets more republican by throwing Tyler into the district. The heart of Turner's district goes to this distrioct. A solid state rep or senator could bat Sandlin/Turner in a tight race. The district is over 60% GOP but Sandlin has roots. (prediction lean staying Dem)
2- Turner - the distrcit is moved to the Houston area in an open Republican seat in northeat Harris County. It is new territory made of Brady, Lampson and a little Turner land.= but over 60% Republican (switches to Republican)
3 - Johnson - this Plano based diestrict stays the same (remains R)
4 - Hall - Hall will win this distrcit again IF he runs. However, having the area around Texarkana instead of Tyler ight discourage him. If he retires (as inidcations are he will) this will flip. (switches to R)
5- Hensarling - the district is shrunk and becomes more urban picking up East Dallas and becomes more republican (stays R)
6 - Barton - my boss actually was drawn into a district with both Frost's and Turner's homes however, if they would like to commit political suicide, be my guest. The district has gone from 57% R to 63% adding more Republican territory in Tarrant County. (remains R)
7 - Culberson - the Houston Memorial "old money" dsitrict remains the same (remains R)
8 - Brady - Brady keeps staunch Republican Montgomery County as his base north of Houston and goes north tyo chop off the other half of Turner's rural district that the 1st gobbled up. Montgomery County keeps this VERY republican (remains R)
9 - Lampson - This is a new majority minority african American district drawn for Rep Wilson around Houston Hobby Airport. Lampson is not in it and Bell is effectively drawn out in favor of Wilson (Remains D)
10 - Doggett - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - The district goes from North central Austin (NOT liberal Hyde Park but more north conservative Plugerville area) and stretches to Katy Texas outside of Houston. Robert called this the 290 district. It is very Republican and will be where my friend Brian Walters will be likely running. Littelfield already is a consultant. (sweitches to R)
11 - Edwards - This is the "new" Midland seat drawn for Speaker Craddick protege Connaway who lost a close one of Neugebauer in the Combest open seat. This is very Republican. (Switches to R)
12 - Granger - Granger's district continues to be a dafe Ft. Worth R seat (remains R)
13 - Thornberry - Thornberry remains pretty muich the smae but the map is very wacky at points to appease Speaker Craddick and State Senator Duncan. (remains R)
14 - Paul - Ron Paul and Nick Lampson are drawn together in a republican district. This could be trickier than thought given Paul's unusual behavior. It IS republican though centered around Lake Jackson south of Houston, but Brandon can attest that Galveston is a lean D area. Lake Jackson and points south though are HEAVY R. Tus, the district is 60% R. (remains R)
15 - Hinojosa - I do not know if if Hinojosa will take this one or another of the "stripe" districts. One of these is new and part of the voting rights protection element. They run from Austin area to the border side by side. (remains D)
16 - Reyes - this El Paso seat remains relatively unchanged (remains D)
17 - Stenholm - Really its the one Chet Edwards will run in and . . . bye Chet. Chet loses his Killeen-Ft. Hood Base in exchange for conservative Johnson County. They will not like the fact he kills babies, prevents kids from praying and wants to take their guns. State Rep Arlene Wohlgemuth come on down, you are the next Congressman from Texas. To be fair, while Edwards will likely lose, at least he has a fighting chance as Waco is the population center (but hasn't he been LOSING Waco lately - yep!) (switches to R)
18 - Jackson-Lee - as much as we despise her, she cannot be drawn out. She still has the 5th ward and downtown Houston. The Queen lives!!!! (remains D)
19 - Neugebauer - thsi is easily the wackiest district and evidently was the last one drawn. It places Stenholm and Neugebauer in the same seat but most of it is Neugebauer's Lubbock based territory. Stenholm has a chnace because it is very Ag oriented. Abilene just simply replaces Midland as the other population center. Once you see the map, you will shake your head at this one. The overwhelming R nature of it gives the freshman the edge, but Tim Holden in Pennsylvania showed that is not necessarily all it takes. (remains R in a close member-member battle)
20 - Gonzalez - The Alamo still will keep its rep in a similar district. Tony Zafirini's boss is safe (Remains D)
21 - Lamar Smith - this district still has Alamo Heights (rich San Antonio), Westlake (rich west Austin) and San Marcos - (remains R)
22 - Tom DeLay - DeLay, the supposed architect of this map according to Dems, still has his strong R base in Sugarland but gives away enough R's to give Paul and even greater edge in the 14th. (remains R)
23 - Bonilla - half of Webb County (laredo) goes to Hispanic districts and he gets more of Bexar Copunty (north San Antonio) in return to shore up this slowly more Dem growing seat. (remains R)
24 - Frost - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Hello Congressman Marchant (a state Senator). His distrcit disappeared as Burgess takes inner city Ft. Worth, Eddie Bernice Johnson takes his part of inner city Dallas, Sessions takes his hispanic voters in central Dallas and Barton takes his home in north Arlington. It simply disappears in a Coppell centered district in the VERY republican mid-cities area between Dallas and Ft. Worth. This is the D's best legal challenge as inner city Ft. Worth will now be outnumbered in a Rpublican suburban district (see CD 26). However, the creation of a new african american seat in Houston so that new map should pass the challenge. (switches to R)
25 - Bell - this seat is removed from the Houston area (in its place is the new african american district) and this is one of the new "stripe" districts running from Austin to the border. It takes hispanic east Austin and runs to the border. (remains D)
26 - Burgess - the old Armey seat takes on 150,000 inner city Ft. Worth residents but is paired with 450,000 fervent republicans in Denton County. Lewisville, Denton and other VERY republican areas north make it, over 60% R despite the presence of inner city Ft. Worth. (remains R)
27 - Ortiz - This district still has the Texas coastline from Corpus Christi to Brownsville in the beginning of the strpie districts. (remains D)
28 - Ciro Rodriguez likely will still run in the final "stripe" district that runs from Chinagrove (the little town outside of San Antone from Doobie Brothers fame) all the way to the border. (remains D)
29 - Gene Green - this is still a hispanic seat that gets even more hispanic in Houston. I expect Gene Green to keep it but watch for the primary challenge (remains D)
30 - Eddie Bernice Johnson - she takes Frost's african American population in Dallas and lets her republican precincts (like las colinas) go. Her district finally for the first time make perfect sense geographically. (remains D)
31 - Sessions - still has the Park Cities (rich Dallas) and north Dallas. However, he pciks up some hispanic voters from the old Frost district. This is still a VERY republcian seat as people from the Park Cities vote in great numbers. remember this is the infamous 75225 zip code which raise alomst 20% of Bush's presidential money and voted in the largets precinct 97% Bush-3% Dukakis. This district does not just have people who vote republican but people who ARE republican. (remains R)
32- Carrter - the final district is another gem. Edwards loses the republicans that suppiort him and they now are with John Carter in a Williamson County centered district. This is made for Carter and is still very safe republcian territory. (remains R)
Stifling Dissent (From the Right)
A great deal has been made about how Clear Channel has worked to stifle dissent against the Bush administration from the Left (the censoring of playlists, for example). Here is how it has worked to stifle dissent from the Right--a talk radio jock who dared to speak out against the War in Iraq.
Mind you, this article, which reads like something in "The Nation" actually appears in "The American Conservative"!
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Mind you, this article, which reads like something in "The Nation" actually appears in "The American Conservative"!
