A cable news organization fear-mongering their way through a horrifically inaccurate report where the facts are fiction isn't something to get upset about. As best as I can tell, that's the entire point of cable news.
The fact that it's normal doesn't mean we shouldn't be upset. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised, but that's no reason not to be angry.
Whether Or Not Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood Is In Hollywood's Pocket...
I'm going with Yes on that one. (opinion based on disclosed facts) :-P
Great article. Thanks for -- well, if it's not quite possible to keep the politicians honest, at least keeping us apprised of their dishonesty with thoughtful, fact-based analysis.
The furor over The Interview, the film that portrays the assassination of Kim Jong-un, wasn't originally named as a motivation for Sony's hacking. The media seized on this possibility first, and the hackers followed suit.
This. A thousand times this. So much of the hysterical reporting has ignored this rather important detail.
For all his wisdom... Ben Franklin must have been insufferable. [Everyone's down at the local tavern having a grand old time] "Friends! Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Remember: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." [Awkward pause as music and raucous conversation die down] "Egads, who invited Ben?"
I've seen multiple lawyers connected to Hollywood have kneejerk reactions that paying for an investigation, coordinating all of the efforts including writing up the letters and subpoenas, is just normal, everyday "aggressive competition."
It's encouraging at least that the Des Moines Register considered these other issues, asked questions, and listened to people outside the DOT who know a thing or two. This is journalism done right.
Re: I don't get the "U.S. citizens condones torture" bottom line
1. Whatever it is you're smoking, stop it. It's damaging your mind. 2. We don't live in your alternate reality. We live in this one. 3. You don't have to rely on the Bible in order to understand the immorality of cruelty.
Up until the final sentence, I had no problem with the article.
Reading along, I would have assumed the author was providing some disturbing background that would lead into some analysis of moral issues (maybe a few words about human rights, or interviews with survivors of torture, or something) and legal implications (e.g. Convention Against Torture and the obligation to investigate and prosecute these crimes).
But then:
This is the unhappy reality being confronted by Democrats who had hoped to make a splash with the CIA report.
Is this all some f***ing game to them? Just politics and business as usual and which side scores the most points and "hey look who's going to be our guest on 'Meet the Press' next week"?
Officials of my country engaged in a deliberate and systematic program of brutality, a program that violated U.S. and international law as well as fundamental principles of human decency. With drone strikes (and other actions), they continue to engage in extrajudicial execution with impunity.
This isn't a political issue. At least, gods help us, it shouldn't be. This is a fundamental moral issue -- a question of who we are as a people, and what sort of country we want to be.
And, yes, elected leaders are trying to make this into a partisan issue, and they will continue to do so as long as we allow it. But we don't have to allow it. And journalists -- who are supposed to serve as as independent monitors of power -- should refuse to play along.
That means calling out Dick Cheney when he defends the indefensible. That means challenging President Obama on the morality and legality of drone strikes (and the continued assertion of absolute authority based on an unending global "war on terror"). And, yes, it also means confronting the public with uncomfortable truths when we get it wrong. Because journalists also have an obligation to the truth, no matter how unpopular.
On the post: Die Another Eh: What Does It Mean Now That James Bond Is In The Public Domain In Canada?
Re: Re: Re: Die another eh?
On the post: Die Another Eh: What Does It Mean Now That James Bond Is In The Public Domain In Canada?
It was a once-in-lifetime opportunity for a bad pun, and brilliantly groan-worthy.
On the post: Court Soundly Rejects Watchmaker's Attempt To Abuse Copyright Law To Stop Sale Of Its Watches At Costco
See Jarndyce v. Jarndyce.
On the post: Paris, France To Sue Fox News For Being Fox News
Re:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/20/world/europe/fox-news-becomes-unwilling-star-of-french-tv-s how.html?_r=0
On the post: Paris, France To Sue Fox News For Being Fox News
The fact that it's normal doesn't mean we shouldn't be upset. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised, but that's no reason not to be angry.
On the post: USTR Still Insists That 'Listening' Is 'Transparency' Even As It Keeps Details Completely Secret
Like a one-way mirror
Meanwhile we're left staring at our own reflection...
On the post: UK Party Leader Attacks Satirical Mobile Game Made By Teenagers Interested In Politics
I'm pleasantly surprised to see a principal who appreciates satire (and freedom of expression). That's good news.
Also of note (from the school's "principal introduction" page):
On the post: FBI Formally Accuses North Korea Of The Sony Hack
One question
Given that regime's usual style, you'd think be proclaiming their glorious victory to the world.
On the post: Whether Or Not Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood Is In Hollywood's Pocket, He Sure Doesn't Understand Free Speech Or The Internet
I'm going with Yes on that one.
(opinion based on disclosed facts) :-P
Great article. Thanks for -- well, if it's not quite possible to keep the politicians honest, at least keeping us apprised of their dishonesty with thoughtful, fact-based analysis.
On the post: The Ridiculousness Of Turning The Sony Hack Into The 9/11 Of Computer Security
This. A thousand times this.
So much of the hysterical reporting has ignored this rather important detail.
On the post: Senator Wyden Responds To CIA Defenders Distorting The Truth About CIA Torture
Re: Re: Re: Re: Ok so I am for and against the report.
On the post: Senator Wyden Responds To CIA Defenders Distorting The Truth About CIA Torture
Re: Re: Ok so I am for and against the report.
[Everyone's down at the local tavern having a grand old time]
"Friends! Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Remember: Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
[Awkward pause as music and raucous conversation die down]
"Egads, who invited Ben?"
On the post: Here Are The Companies That Want To Charge You $2,500-$100,000 For Negative Reviews
Re: Re: Re: Re:
On the post: Attorney General Downplays Ties To MPAA... Just As NY Times Reveals MPAA Actually Wrote The Letter He Sent Google
It is. That's the problem.
On the post: Iowa Dept. Of Transportation Announces Plan To Give Police Officers, Security Personnel Full Access To Your Smartphone
Re:
On the post: Washington Post Shrugs Off Torture Because, You Know, It Polls Well
Re: I don't get the "U.S. citizens condones torture" bottom line
2. We don't live in your alternate reality. We live in this one.
3. You don't have to rely on the Bible in order to understand the immorality of cruelty.
On the post: Washington Post Shrugs Off Torture Because, You Know, It Polls Well
Re: Moral Relativism is idiotic
...
On the post: Washington Post Shrugs Off Torture Because, You Know, It Polls Well
Reading along, I would have assumed the author was providing some disturbing background that would lead into some analysis of moral issues (maybe a few words about human rights, or interviews with survivors of torture, or something) and legal implications (e.g. Convention Against Torture and the obligation to investigate and prosecute these crimes).
But then:
Is this all some f***ing game to them? Just politics and business as usual and which side scores the most points and "hey look who's going to be our guest on 'Meet the Press' next week"?
Officials of my country engaged in a deliberate and systematic program of brutality, a program that violated U.S. and international law as well as fundamental principles of human decency. With drone strikes (and other actions), they continue to engage in extrajudicial execution with impunity.
This isn't a political issue. At least, gods help us, it shouldn't be. This is a fundamental moral issue -- a question of who we are as a people, and what sort of country we want to be.
And, yes, elected leaders are trying to make this into a partisan issue, and they will continue to do so as long as we allow it. But we don't have to allow it. And journalists -- who are supposed to serve as as independent monitors of power -- should refuse to play along.
That means calling out Dick Cheney when he defends the indefensible. That means challenging President Obama on the morality and legality of drone strikes (and the continued assertion of absolute authority based on an unending global "war on terror"). And, yes, it also means confronting the public with uncomfortable truths when we get it wrong. Because journalists also have an obligation to the truth, no matter how unpopular.
On the post: Search Something, Say Something: David Cameron Asks Google, Yahoo To Be 'Good Citizens' And Report Users Searching For 'Terrorist' Subject Matter
Re:
On the post: Despite Racking Up Three Consecutive Unanimous Votes, FOIA Reform Bill Killed Off By Rep. John Boehner
Re: Re: Re: Re: Clarity
...
Wasn't it supposed to be the will of the People that mattered most?
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