[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: An interesting essay on why so many of
us have very little trust in the so-called 'mainstream' media. You
know, the ones that are supposed to be so precious and so good, compared
to all us imbeciles on the internet doing our thing. PAT]
The Uninvited Ombudsman:
An observation for news-media people in general --
July 2, 2005
Dear Editor,
Cities nationwide just got short but saturation coverage of the
"U.S. gives 50,000 tons of food to N. Korea" story. I got it from six
outlets in Phoenix.
Not surprisingly, all the versions were nearly identical. That's
because the propagated story was a straight government handout, with
no actual reporting involved. There in a nutshell is why we, the
people, no longer trust you, the news media, as much as we used to, or
would like to.
In my "state" newspaper, The Arizona Republic, the two paragraphs
began, "The Bush Administration announced ..." and "The White House
said ..." pretty much like every other version. It was the same where
you live, right? Your comrades aren't even pretending to report, or
displaying even rudimentary curiosity. It's pure government lapdog,
zero public watchdog. You only say you're a watchdog.
Even the most frenzied writer or editor, with no legwork at all, could
do some head math and find that though it sounds so magnanimous, it's
not. Think -- Americans often eat meals that weigh a pound. If you
could just subsist on one pound daily, the hundred million pounds
would feed the 22 million communist subjects for 4-1/2 days.
Many Americans would prefer that you ask the hardball questions, like,
"Why does the executive branch think it has legitimate power to
"donate" so much of our money to, well, anyone?" Aren't you the least
bit curious how much money the public treasury loses in the deal? What
sort of discount does one get on a million pounds of groceries?
News orgs obviously ripped and ran -- took the handout without
thought. It's become your job. What kind of food is it? Fresh produce
or rice? Who sold it (and got all the cash)? You don't know (or care,
we imagine), because from writer to publisher you seem content as a
government tool. It's what you do. You haven't even questioned your
source, "the wire." You never do. You believe it's truth. Pravda.
We're wise to you.
------------------
The kind of food is important, and meaningful. What's really happened
here is that government people made a deal with food people to take my
money, and your money, and buy a mountain of food. This way, the food
people get a lot of money, and their books look good this month. Most
people do not realize that when we "give aid" we are often just
pouring money into private hands. Salaries and overheads are covered
by money taken personally from me and you under the guise of fair
taxation. The government didn't announce that part, doesn't want you
thinking about the man behind the curtain. The media is then complicit
in the widely propagated announcement. Itsa complex.
We might start believing you again when your stories start looking
like the rewrite below. But then we'd be informed, and the public
could start owning its government again, instead of the other way
around. Most people do want this, but the political left (a euphemism
for socialist-style governance) fundamentally opposes such
empowerment. The news coverage and slants we get speak for themselves.
"Cambpell's soup concluded a deal today to sell ten million cans of
chicken soup to the U.S. Dept. of Magnanimous Giveaways, putting the
company's books firmly in the black this quarter, The Arizona Republic
has learned. Floundering recently, stock price for the parent food
conglomerate jumped six percent on the news. The food, paid for with
taxpayer's money, will be given to the communist North Korean ruling
clique. Although the White House labeled the giveaway a "humanitarian
gesture," it is presumed that strings are attached, and sources close
to dictator Kim Jong-il said in 2002 he plans to create a nuclear
crisis for leverage with us. At least five other food producers have
made similar government deals, to raise the 100 million total pounds
promised in this controversial 'donation'." Same word count.
Everyone who has hopes that the news media will straighten up and
become a watchdog again, raise your hands. See? Few hands go up. Time
to change.
==========================
FYI:
The original, with no byline (presumably because no reporter had a
hand in its creation) was attributed simply "Wire Services":
U.S. to Give 50,000 Tons of Food Aid to N. Korea (6/23/05)
Washington -- The Bush Administration announced Wednesday that it will
donate 50,000 tons of food aid to North Korea, just days after the
reclusive state indicated a willingness to return to regional talks
over its nuclear program.
The White House said the aid is a humanitarian gesture unrelated to
the political climate or to the potential for renewed talks. At the
same time, officials declined to comment on revelations Wednesday that
the administration received an overture from North Korean leader Kim
Jong-il in November 2002, in which he said he wanted to resolve a
budding nuclear crisis between the two countries.
Sincerely,
Alan Korwin
Publisher
Contact:
Alan Korwin
BLOOMFIELD PRESS
"We publish the gun laws."
4718 E. Cactus #440
Phoenix, AZ 85032
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 FAX
1-800-707-4020 Orders
http://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for a free catalog.
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Alan Korwin believes, as do I, that
when Americans begin taking the Second Amendment as seriously as
they take the First, there is a good chance the government in the
USA can be redeemed for the people. Until the time comes that
American citizens are able to _openly and freely bear arms_ if that
is their choice, without all sorts of bogus reasoning on why this
person or that person should not be allowed to have a gun, then we
should expect our freedoms to continue to deteriorate (as they have
since 9-11-2001) in the name of Homeland Security, etc.
Alan Korwin also believes, as do I, that the mass media in the USA
has become more and more a disgrace in the past few years, as it
parrots without question the policies and ideas presented by our
resident president. And yet, people say that we here on the Internet
are irresponsible in _our_ journalism. You might like getting on
Alan Korwin's mailing lists, the man speaks the truth about so many
things. Anyway, have a happy Independence Day, and wish for a time
(hopefully in our lifetimes) when there will be _true independence
for all_ in this land; not just the ones who say the right words and
have the right thoughts. PAT]
alan@bloomfieldpress.com