HOLIDAY MUSINGS

WOMEN OF THE YEAR

SUPPORT MEDIACHANNEL.ORG

On the morning of the night before the night before Christmas, lots has been stirring, far more than a mouse. (I did see a mouse on a repeat of a public television science show last night. It was waiting to pounce on some bees. I realized then, again, that the predator instinct is alive and well throughout the animal kingdom to which humans have long belonged.)

In this season of peace, we recall the words of that US patriot, Virginia’s Patrick Henry (remembered from a oratorical contest that I won back in the fifth grade at PS 95, my elementary school): “Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war has already begun.” He went on to declaim (and I, to imitate) “Give me liberty or give me death.” But wars for liberty seem to have gone our of fashion these days, replaced by wars for oil and power and geo-political advantage.

Could you imagine a nightly TV war watch brought to us like the football scores, complete graphics and body counts? Perhaps it could be called “The Situation Room. A warcaster would tick off and update the conficts in our world, off one by one. Today, that would include civil unrest in Haiti, self-described rebels killed by French soldiers in the Ivory Coast, a crackdown on the mobs trying to overturn an elected government in Venezuela, a dead US solder in Eastern Afghanistan, a civilian casualty in Iraq unexpectedly splashed yesterday on the front page of the Washington Post and a dozen dead in New York City in what is being called a “ganja war.” This new TV feature would become your daily “hit” parade cataloguing the casulalty count.

HAIL, HAIL TIME MAGAZINE (OR MAYBE NOT!)

What is new and even interesting today is Time Magazine’s decision to forego the annual kowtowing to the good and the great on its “Man of the Year” cover and, instead, honor three women who blew the whistle on corporate crimes and FBI incompetence. I was impressed by TIME’s choices, which reflects, on the one hand, a respect for those who take on powerful institutions. On the other, it also calls attention to the fact that the courage shown by these women is rarely matched by the news media that salute them.

On the same day that Time’s cover causes a media stir, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper is carrying a critique of the contemporary US newsmagazine style. It Joseph B. Abboud writes about TIME in a piece is titled “Ignorance in America is alive and well:”

“… both Time and Newsweek employ techniques that subtly bias the reader toward the US-government viewpoint. They do this in several, identical ways.

“First, both magazines follow the same ’scatter-shot’ approach to news reporting where the practice can best be described as the instruction ‘make it fast and make it wide, go for surface, and not depth.’ By covering and mixing in a little bit from every angle, each magazine projects the image or impression of having explored all avenues on a given issue or subject, which incorrectly creates the rather neat impression of a complete package.

“Such an approach often requires a careful re-reading of the report to determine which news perspective in sum is the more prominent. From this practice, Time and Newsweek derive their so-called objectivity, and thus legitimacy.

“Secondly, there is the writing style…Time’s shallow form has become so familiar, and so mimicked elsewhere, that it is even known as the ‘Timese’ style of writing: short snappy sentences loaded with short, snappy dialogue, a fast rhythm, regular ‘ironic’ comment, rounded introductory and concluding paragraphs, and breezy references to history, literature, art and politics…” http://www.dawn.com/2002/12/23/int16.htm

NY TIMES DISCOVERS GRASS ROOTS ACTIVISM

How illuminating to find the New York Times today finally discovering that there is a movement out there on the local level lobbying city councils across America to stand up for The Bill of Rights. They have been promoting those civil liberties menaced by laws like the US Patriots Act. Almost two dozen cities have so far passed resolutions of concern. Meanwhile, reformer.com reports that Vermont Congressman Bernard Sanders will introduce legislation to exempt libraries and bookstores from parts of the sweeping USA Patriot Act.

“Sanders’ announcement came as local activists prepared to launch an effort to raise awareness about the Patriot Act and other legislation, which they say threatens Americans’ civil liberties.

“‘The expansion of surveillance, monitoring and investigation into our libraries and book sellers is truly disturbing,’” Sanders said in a statement Friday released in conjunction with a Burlington press conference. ‘Libraries and bookstores have always been a source of learning, knowledge and information. The right to read without the fear of government surveillance is a cornerstone of our democracy. I will do everything in my power to ensure that Congress passes legislation that will protect Americans’ constitutional rights to read books without fear that someone is violating their right to privacy.’”

ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE?

While Americans debate what it means to be a patriot, many Jews are debating the meaning of what many fear is a menacing rise in antisemitism. A close friend of mine told me that she has begun donating to Jewish organizations because of her concern. I am told 60 Minutes will soon be doing a piece on the issue. In New York City, former Mayor Ed Koch is calling for a boycott on travel to France because he claims that it is an enemy of Israel. In a radio commentary on Bloomberg Radio, the outlet owned by the current mayor, he praises the Bush Administration for supporting Israel, and expresses this concern:

“We are now going through the most virulent antiSemitic period sinceHitler and Stalin. Nearly 60 years after the end of World War II almost every country on the European continent, including England, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and the Scandinavian countries, has seen major outbreaksof physical violence against their Jewish citizens and Jewish institutions, including synagogues and cemeteries. At the same time, open hostility toward the State of Israel is at an all-time high.” Koch is among those who insist that most criticisms of Israel veil antisemitism. It is not an argument I buy, but I know he speaks to a wide spread feeling of anxiety, alarm and worry in the Jewish community.

On the other side, there are many Jewish voices in the peace camp in and outside of Israel who reject Koch’s view. Tikkun magazine is among them: “The anti-Semitism is real,and it is deeply troubling to us at Tikkun, but its growth is closelylinked to activities of the Israeli government which are morallyabhorrent and which therefore provide “cover” for the haters. But themoment that anyone says this, they are told that somehow they arejustifying the anti-Semitism (which we certainly are not doing–becauseracism against Jews or against anyone else is NEVER justified) orthat they have revealed that they are “self-hating” Jews or anti-Semites themselves. By switching the dialogue in this way, theJewish establishment never grapples with our claim that Israelipolicy and treatment of Palestinians is so outrageous and hurtfulthat it would lead anyone to be upset and feeling moral indignationat the behavior, and when Jews world-wide then rally around thatbehavior and say that this is what their Judaism leads them to,it’s not hard to understand how true racist haters can use thissituation in the morally disgusting way they do to fan hate of theJewish people.”

Jews are not the only people who feel stigmatized. The soon to be former Senate Majority leader Trent Lott, in his latest contribution to American thought, says he was targeted because he is from Mississippi, a conservative and a “Christian.”

WAR PREP

Speaking of Israel, the Chinese news agency is reporting “Israel steps up preparations for US war against Iraq:” “The Israeli army is to distribute instruction booklets to Israelis and holdemergency exercises with police and rescue services in the coming weeks,Israel Radio reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, a joint US-Israeli military exercise would be held in earlyJanuary, the radio said, adding that the US troops landed in Israel Sundaymorning with advanced Patriot missiles.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority announced plans to postpone planned elections blaming a stepped up Israeli occupation. AP reports: “The Palestinian leadership issued a statement accepting the recommendation of an expert commission that concluded elections can be held no earlier than three months after Israel pulls its troops back. The elections were originally set for Jan. 20, and there is currently no plan to withdraw Israeli troops.” Critics say this is just a maneuver by Arafat to stay in power.

MEDIA FRONT: ROONE AND RUSSIA

On the media front, we have several stories of interest . First, there was Ted Koppel of writing in yesterday’s New York Times about the late network news chief’s reclusive and intrusive behavior — part of a climate of fear experienced by those of us who worked at ABC in that period but who lacked the star status enoyed by Koppel et. al. Ted’s piece recounted:

“The furniture in his office at ABC News was deliberately configured so that, whether or not the door was open, he could not be seen behind his desk - the object being to avoid eye contact with an unexpected visitor who might otherwise have gained an unplanned audience. Roone was, above all things, a producer; a man who wanted to stage-manage events at a time and in a manner of his own choosing.

“A particularly deft technique of his involved having his secretary return a call at a time when he knew you were not available. In my case, he would wait until he knew that I was in the studio, recording an interview. When, within a few minutes, I returned the call, Roone would again be unavailable. That provided him, at some later date, with the opportunity to complain - just a hint of frustration in his voice - that he had been trying, without success, to reach me.

“Throughout the 20 or so years that he ran ABC News, Roone, who died Dec. 5 at the age of 71, managed to convey to all of us who worked for him the impression that he was always watching. In each control room there was a red phone - the Roone phone. He didn’t call after every show, but he called often enough that there was always the sense that he might. Roone traveled often, to distant places, but that was no guarantee that he wasn’t watching. His staff would arrange for a videotape machine to be in his hotel suite and a stack of tapes, containing the previous day’s broadcasts, would be waiting. We never knew how many, if any, he ultimately watched, but an occasional terse e-mail from Rome or a warm telephone call from Tokyo was enough to keep us guessing….”

PRESS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA…GOING, GOING….

Alex Rodriguez of the Chicago Tribute reports that support for press fredom in Russia is waning. “The recent furor over press freedoms in Russia in the aftermath of the hostage crisis has shown that, 11 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia remains unsure just how free and unfettered its press should be.

“Russia’s government is as wary as ever of a free press. After the hostage crisis in late October, the country’s parliament rushed through a law imposing severe restrictions on coverage of “extremist” acts. Media executives argued that, the way it was written, the law could be used to squelch commentary critical of the government, especially with respect to Russia’s 3-year-old war against Islamic separatists in Chechnya.

“Under pressure from the media, Russian President Vladimir Putin vetoed the bill, but he also asked Russian lawmakers from both houses of parliament to organize a commission to rework the legislation. He chastised the media for producing coverage with the sole aim of boosting “ratings and capitalization, and ultimately, to make money.”

“The Kremlin’s relationship with the media might be different if the Russian public made it clear that it disapproved of government meddling in media affairs. But the opposite is true: Russians want government to step in and corral the press. A poll last year by the Public Opinion Fund indicated that 57 percent of Russians backed government censorship.

“Free press is low on the list…”

WILL WE EVER SEE THIS FILM ON PBS?”

“BERLIN (Reuters) - Scottish filmmaker Jamie Doran said on Wednesday he hoped his documentary about an alleged massacre of Talibanprisoners of war last year would lead U.S. authorities to investigate any involvement of American soldiers.

“Doran told Reuters before the screening of “Afghan Massacre: The Convoy of Death” on Germany’s ARD television network (GERMANY’s PBS) that witnesses saw U.S. special forces stand by and watch as Northern Alliance allies murdered Taliban POWs.

A spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Berlin rejected claims made inthe film.

“The claims are completely false that American soldiers were involved in the torture, execution and disappearance of Taliban prisoners,”the spokesman said. “In no way did U.S. troops participate or witnessany human rights violations.”

“Doran, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who covered the Afghan war for Japanese television, said up to 3,000 Taliban POWs werekilled late last year after surrendering at Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.”….

Also from Germany comes word (via the Wall Street Journal/ Europe that “Bertlesmann’s independent review into its Nazi links earlier this yearoverlooked the efforts of Reinhard Mohn, who still controls thecompany, to cover up its past.”

SY HERSH IS SCARED

When Seymour Hersh, one of America’s top investigative reporters says he is scared, I am scared. He express his worries in an interview with the New Yorker’s Amy Tübke-Davidson. Hersh is current working on a book about the Bush Administration’s military actions since September 11th.

“I don’t think I’ve been as scared as I am now since I was about six and watched “The Wizard of Oz” for the first time. What scares me the most is that a lot of people are rushing into a lot of action without knowing all of the consequences. It’s a theme that comes up in my story in the magazine this week: unintended consequences. In this case, the unintended consequences of beginning a policy of selective assassination.

“And I think of the unintended consequences, for example, of a coming war with Iraq, unless we have the world with us, and unless the case against him on the weapons is very clear and made clear. They have to do that. This government has an obligation to explain its actions to some of us who don’t like Saddam but aren’t necessarily convinced that he’s directly connected to the worldwide problems of terrorism — there are too many of us. An enormous number of Americans aren’t quite sure why we have to do what we’re doing, why it looks like we’re headed that way. This is a case that this President has to make. And he hasn’t made it yet.”

EMAIL IN: Greetings from Singapore:

Dharmendra of Singapore Media Watch writes: “To celebrate this passing of time, I thought I will share somethingstimulating that I read recently. It is penned by the outgoing President ofthe Law Society of Singapore and I include this below. Although he sharesthis in the context of his role, I think it can apply to the various roleswe play.

“Reading it, I found this particularly attractive: ‘Cynicism or faith: it isyour choice. Each has the capacity to take root in your souls and shape yourlives as self-fulfilling prophecies. So to those who choose only to speakout from the terraces, I say, it is all very well to beat your chest and cry’Tarzan’, but if you want to see a difference and make a difference, standup and be counted. Have a ready will and walk, not idle time and talk.’

“I pray that 2003 helps you to better make a difference. Do stand up and becounted. And certainly have a ready will and walk.”

THE “GOOD” DIE YOUNG

We note with sadness the passing this morning of drummer Joe Strummer of the Clash. The eNATION notes today: “As the great British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg said this morning, “thething about Strummer was he walked it like he talked it. He didn’t copout. He didn’t show one face to the public and have a different face inhimself.” The BBC is collecting a series of tributes to Strummer’s life and work:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/2600757.stm

As the holiday season approaches, internet activists are passing this ditty along, so I might as well give you a taste in get you in a holiday mood.

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land,

not a critic was stirring, for stirring was banned.

A thousand brown prisoners, snug in their cells,

all held without charges or tinsel or bells;

“And mamma was wrapped in the national flag,

while we sang “Where there’s never a boast or a brag.”

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

“Away to the TV I flew like a flash;I then watched “Survivor” and reruns of “Mash.”The fireworks, exploding above the new snow,gave a luster of objects to people below.

“When what saw my wondering eyes in the flashes:

a miniature George Bush and eight tiny fascists!

Their jerseys were blue and said “WORLD DOMINATION”;

I knew right away this was not just claymation….”

Before the political discourse hardens, and in the spirit of fair play, balance and all that, as well to see how the other half thinks, visit StandwithBush.com, a site supporting “The Commander in Chief.” I saw a full page ad in the Washington Times calling their faithful to battle to oppose anti-war activists.

SHAMELESS APPEAL

Whatever politicians you support, I hope you will take a moment out to support Mediachannel.org in this season of giving. Your tax deductible donations can be sent to The Global Center, 1600Broadway, New York, New York 10019. You can also donate on line through Mediachannel.org’s home page. With your support I will be back tomorrow and the tomorrows to come. You can reach me easily at dissector@mediachannel.org. have a a Merry and a Happy.