FAIR & BALANCED?!? Last week I saw the new documentary OUTFOXED. I can't say I watch Fox news regularly. I do put it on from time to time so I can get an objective view of what's out there. My own impression of the network is basically that of which I have for entertainment shows like Extra and Entertainment Tonight. They're all about ratings and shock value, you never feel like you're getting the full story. I can't stomach some of their news casters like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannerty (sp); I find it really disgusting that they call themselves journalists. I would have no problem with them if the people they interviewed actually had a chance to speak or share their views, but they aren't, they are censored, told to shut up and in some cases their dialogue is edited out completely from the broadcast. Right wing viewers might say that Outfoxed is just edited and sensationalized to make Fox look worse than it is. I wonder if that's possible. Sure they may have edited it to get their point across, but they do it with something the Fox news network rarely does...it uses facts. Some points in the movie that nobody can contest are that Robert Murdock owns and controls a number of stations and is a contributor of the US Republican Party. Is this not a clear case of conflict of interest? Unfortunately nowadays you can't trust even the people who were trained to report the news objectively. One clear message I got this from this movie is that we have the power to stop these people; we just have to get off our asses and do it.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK ... The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson
A DEPARTMENT OF PEACE?
by Walter Cronkite
http://www.yankton.net/stories/081204/opE_20040812035.shtml
PERSONAL NEWS #31
Greetings and salutations to all my dear friends, family, fellow bloggers and Progressive Democrats!! Have quite abit of news resulting from a busy week of August 2nd. So sit down for a while, get comfy, sip some wine or tea and enjoy the read.
On Monday evening at 6pm [August 2nd], Rob Jereski held a press conference and rally outside 14th Congressional District incumbent, conservative Democrats [phony Maloney] office on upper eastside of Manhattan. The event was video taped by fellow Kucitizen Cielito, Rob gave a great speech and we handed out lots of flyers for the Jereski campaign. Even as I type this that phoney Maloney has her FIVE lawyers beating down on Jereski at Board of Elections about the petition signatures. I posted further news on the “dirty politics” by Maloney via an earlier blog posts. Check it out!
On Wednesday evening, August 4th was the Kucinich General Meeting [7pm]. Our usual meeting space near UN Plaza wasn’t reserved, so we made do with a local courtyard in between two buildings. Those who were able to attend were: Ellen, Bill, Kenny and I. We discussed whether we should reschedule the general meeting. [Is there still interest among NYC Friends of Kucinich?] Decided not to reschedule ... as it was shortly after the completion of the DNC in Boston. And we were all fired up in wanting to discuss the events of that week in Boston. We agreed that future meetings would be held as a "house party" and at a chosen Kucitizen home. So the next “general meeting” will feature photos/video by Ellen and Cielito. Ellen told us all about her experiences at the DNC, as well as showed us items she'd brought back. Her enthusiasm and upbeat tone was inspiring, as she talked about delegate meetings, voting process, progressive forum, etc. We wrapped up the meeting with a discussion on "Progressive Democrats of America", which was recently formed and we feel it important to channel our energies toward this movement/organization. The website is at: http://www.pdamerica.org
On Thursday evening, August 5th, the monthly Kucinich meetup [7pm] was held at Bar 44 on East 44th Street. Those who were able to attend were: Ellen, Eric, Kenny, Sasha, Virginia, Mike & Charlene. We started the meetup inside the bar, but it got to noisy, so we moved it to the bench outdoors and enjoyed the evening breeze. Most of the talk was about the recent DNC in Boston. Ellen passed around INSIDE/OUT newsprints from that week, as well as showed us items from convention. A few political and election related websites were mentioned … http://wwwblackboxvoting.org/ and http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/. It was agreed upon that future meetups should be held at private, not public places. As well as discuss, organize and act upon more progressive topics. Our group also touched upon documentary movies that are currently out … Corporation, Fahrenheit 911, and Outfoxed & Orwell Turns In His Grave. The last week or so has been quite productive here at the office. Not only am I learning new databases ... participating in department meetings ... invoicing [yep, the excitement grabs me too] and clocking in some OT. There is "talk" that our department will be moved to a different floor in two months or so. Something to do with restacking or restructuring. Also, on the way to work, via subway, over last few weeks I've even spotted Mr. Sexy Dreadlock Dude again. Sweet! Hadn't seen him on the G or 7 subways in "months". Sigh!
Yesterday, around 4:30pm, while at the office we heard a very loud noise and then the building shook. All on our floor jumped out of our seats, looked around and then out the windows. About 10 minutes later, over the general PA system, they announced a malfunction in the freight elevator. One of the counterweights of the elevator malfunctioned and speed to the top of the elevator shaft [bulkhead], which caused a shockwave throughout the building. When I left the office at 5:30pm there were LOTS of police, firemen and ambulance on 7th Avenue. I heard on the news this morning that there was one fatality. He was an elevator operator with Boston Properties from Staten Island, about ready to go home for the day and pick up his daughters wedding gown. Such sad news and our condolences go out to his family.
Last weekend was fun, interesting and busy with train travel. On Saturday, August 7th, I took NJ Transit down to Red Bank in New Jersey to visit my Pearl Jam friend Andrea. We hadn't seen each other since the two Pearl Jam gigs at the Madison Square Garden last year. Those few days in July 2003 were such fun hanging out with my Pearl Jam buddies. On Saturday I left Penn Station around 11am and arrived into Red Bank at 12:25pm. Andrea picked me up at the station; we drove around her area for abit and then checked out a music shop for PJ CDs and vinyl. Afterwards we headed over to Ocean Grove on the NJ shore. A little bit of history about this NJ town ... it was founded in 1869 by a Camp Meeting Association. Many old and new Victorian style homes are cramped into the 1 square mile of Ocean Grove. Not only was the area an extensive summer retreat, but also a "closed" Christian, spiritual community. It’s been "open" to the general public for 25 years or so. Now nearly a full mile of boardwalk and beach provide a great location for sunny strolls. The Main Avenue offers lots of shops and restaurants. After driving around for 15 minutes or so, we finally found parking. Andrea and I noshed at a pizza place ... very tasty. We checked out all shops, walked along the boardwalk, picked up brochures at several inns, talked about all sorts of things and before driving to her apartment, we got ice cream. At her place, which she shares with her sister, we watched early telly and cable clips of Pearl Jam. How different the band members look from 10 to 11 years ago. After an enjoyable day I headed back to NYC on the 8:20pm NJ Transit train.
The next day I ventured up to southern CT on Metro North to check out the annual SoNo Art Fest. Usually my good friend Katherine joins me and we have an enjoyable visit. This year she had to work on Sunday at Wal-Mart. She and her [2nd] hubby Maurice are house hunting. Plus, the poor darling is experiencing more troubles from her ex-hubby. The man is totally wacko and should have been institutionalized years ago. Even though there was alot of clouds over the weekend, the weather held up nicely and wasn't too hot. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to fully inspect the whole festival. Lots of talented artisans, musicians, singers and refreshment. I was feeling the pull of artistic inspiration from gazing at delightful watercolor paintings, funky ceramics and B&W photography. And also from fascinating conversation with several artists. Headed back to NYC around 4pm, checked out some book stores and visited the office briefly to work on the computer. [Andrea had lent me the Pearl Jam DVD "Live at the Showbox", which I watched over a few evenings. It was really good and from a one-night gig at Seattle's Showbox club back in Dec 2002.]
DENNIS KUCINICH TO SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES
by Dorothy J. Maver [National Campaign Manager]
As our formal presidential campaign comes to an end, we are aware that many Kucinich supporters have decided to run for political office. We want torecognize, congratulate and support these courageous ones and will provide a candidate page on the http://65.54.246.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=8512fef0197c11c96b4cbff3884e917f&lat=1092519075&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2ekucinich%2eus website. Please email candidate contact information to http://by2fd.bay2.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?curmbox=F000000001&a=aefeb7074552d07e67b253ae64cbcca8&mailto=1&to=candidate@kucinich.us&msg=MSG1092276491.0&start=658554&len=2043&src=&type=x . We reserve the right to make the final determination of which campaigns to publicize. Gratitude for everyone's hard work and persistent efforts in this historic campaign. Progressive caucuses continue to form, a Department of Peace resolution is recognized in eight state democratic parties, and groups such as Progressive Democrats of America (co-sponsoring Ani DeFranco's tour) and Progressive Vote are helping to organize the progressive wing of the party and strengthening the voice of the grassroots. With this continuing progress and so many of us running for office to reclaim the heart and soul of this great country, it is with great hope that we move through this next phase together.
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