Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
LOVE IT!!
I haven't posted since last week because Mardi Gras stole my focus (and sanity) this past weekend- I am putting together some specific parade posts as I work on the photos- but in the meantime- I totally had to share this excellent page from New Avengers #27! Don't you just love it!!!!
Friday, February 9, 2007
The worst president ever is at least consistent!!!
Bush Calls for Propaganda Surge, Slashes PBS
The latest twist of Bush's budgetary knife lays bare the White House's information priority: Fake news trumps real reporting.
Out of his depth
George W. Bush is trying—yet again—to smother NPR, PBS and other public broadcasting while at the same forcing an escalation (sorry "surge') in funding for propaganda.
The president's proposed fiscal year 2008 budget for "U.S. international broadcasting" calls for an overall increase of 3.8% from the last year's recommendation.
All told the budget calls for $668.2 million for the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the federal agency that supervises all US government non-military propaganda.
Journalism Slash and Burn
At the same time Bush's budget proposes steep cuts to federal funds for public broadcasting by nearly 25%. According to the Association of Public Television Stations, the Bush budget would cut up to $145 million from the $460 million proposed FY 2008 budget for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.
The amount allocated to the BBG is a 3.8 percent increase from the agency's 2007 budget with monies specifically "targeted to the war on terror." These tax dollars would flow to government mouthpieces including the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Alhurra, Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
According to a BBG release: "The budget also fully funds initiatives … to critical Muslim audiences. These include the expansion of VOA television to Iran to a 12 hour stream, VOA Pashto radio programming to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region, television programs to Afghanistan and Pakistan and Alhurra Europe, the 24/7 service to Arabic speakers in Europe."
Taxpayer money well spent?
Measure the overwhelming public support for funding of public broadcasting against their growing dissatisfaction with the war effort. According to a 2005 Roper poll, 82% of Americans believe that taxpayer funding given to PBS is "money well spent". A recent AP-Ipsos poll counts 62% of Americans who now think that going to war in Iraq was a mistake.
Bush proposed cuts to public broadcasting will have "Sesame Street" and other ad-free kids' shows are under the knife. So is the watchdog journalism, critical voices and diverse fare that PBS, NPR and other public media offer. The cuts continue the partisan war on journalism once led by the ex-chair of public broadcasting, Ken Tomlinson. (Remember him?)
It's now up to Congress to set the budget right and restore funding to media that more accurately represents the public's priorities. You can help.
***I am horrible at linking- but that article came from www.mediacitizen.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
LOVE this dude's work!
Does the H in HRC stand for Humorless?
Yet again I have to face the fact that anytime you need a group, committee, or council to accomplish something, you are screwed. The HRC or Human Rights Campaign is- according to their own press: "America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all." In other words another watchdog group out there among the many. And while I know that they have done many worthwhile things and take up causes that are not always popular- I continually scratch my head at some of their bullshit. For example- they have sent out a press release condemning the following Snickers commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Admittedly, I did not watch the Super Bowl, and only heard about this commercial on the radio this morning. Let's get real- the commercial is funny! I know the HRC refers to alternate endings in their condemnation, but isn't there ANY other issue that they could devote their energies to out there? I have contributed to the HRC in the past, and probably will again- but come on?! Recently my roommate asked if I would be willing to volunteer my time for this organization and I said yes. Crap like this make me recall why I stopped helping the HRC in the past. A bunch of bitter queens looking for ways to kiss each other's asses and bemoan being called "Queer" in High School. Let's all move on!
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