Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin...again.

Oh, the sweet, sweet taste of quiet regurgitation.

And so here we are again.  

Another politician with yet, another juvenile, diabolical transgression, with yet, another humiliated wife looking on at yet, another news conference addressing indiscretions.  I may elaborate more about Weiner himself later, but for now allow me to repost from 2008, as the topic is relevant yet again.


REPOST

March 16, 2008

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

As of late, I have seen and heard many individuals, particularly women, ramble on about how angry they are with Silda Spitzer and her so called pathetic, codependent choice to support her husband during the controversy surrounding Mr. Spitzer’s recent, imprudent behavior; or what I have come to call—Seriously Spitzer, Could You Be a Bigger Narcissistic Moron?

To some degree I can understand this critical assessment of Mrs. Spitzer, as I must admit to my own knee jerk reaction upon first seeing her standing catatonic beside Spitzer at the podium. In fact, for a moment I was livid, yet slightly disoriented as to why I would be so quick to judge another's situation, as it’s not normally within my nature to automatically do so, especially under such an extreme and depraved circumstance. So I was puzzled, if not slightly sickened as to my disparaging response.

Seriously, what kind of bug did I have up my ass that day? Although at the time, I must admit that I was riding out some nasty cold medication.

I mean, justifiably our anger and criticism should be directed toward Spitzer himself, but instead we posture aggressively toward Mrs. Spitzer. It is truly astounding how quickly we have taken our eyes off the ball or in this case—off the bald. After all, Eliot Spitzer is the hypocritical, adulterous, self-centered narcissist who brought shame upon his family, not Silda. He is the aggressor, while Mrs. Spitzer and her three daughters are the victims, right?

So, why is it so easy for us to blame the victim?

As usual, it’s the media.

Upon reflection and in an effort to think outside the media driven box, I came to realize that I wasn’t at all upset with Mrs. Spitzer’s decision, but in fact with the media’s decision to methodically use and thereby assign a most subliminal term—“Standing By Her Man”—as the end all description for Mrs. Spitzer’s response; presentation of said subliminal term is of course complete with gripping graphic and melodramatic music required to further evoke drone like submission from the masses.

24-hour media loves the literal, injudicious picture. They would prefer not to truly think or deliberate, as both waste time, so the quicker to judge, think and/or deliberate (in fact manipulate), the quicker to air; the quicker to air, the higher the ratings; the higher the ratings, the more money they make. It’s a lava lamp of misleading, agenda driven information; hypnotic and painstakingly repetitive as it creates legions of disciples who are addicted and willing to depend upon 24-hour news as their definitive source for deliberative thought.

This tag: “Standing By Her Man," is an irresponsible assumption; a manipulative suggestion, with a rudimentary connotation that is entirely strategic, primitive and discriminatory in nature, while it leaves little room for interpretive discussion and/or deliberation. I mean as a viewer why bother with deliberation? There she is, demure and dutiful in her unassuming blue suit; complete with silk scarf accoutrement. She looks like an accommodating flight attendant: Can I get you a beverage Mr. Spitzer?  Would you like a pillow Mr. Spitzer? Hot hand towel Mr. Spitzer? The entire scenario is so 1950’s I could gag.

So I ask. Is she really Silda “Standing By Her Man?”

I’m not blind. I mean I see her standing there, demure and seemingly devoted as ever, but is she indeed supporting him?

Hello? I’m talking to you 24-hour news. Did you bother to investigate the situation before smacking this simplistic, suggestive tag upon her response and presence? Surely you have the journalistic capacity to sniff out a reliable source that might offer some insight as to Mrs. Spitzer’s genuine motivation for showing up to this humiliating press conference. After all, you hunt down sources to feed your incessant Britney stories; half a million reporters are strategically posted outside of Heath Ledger's loft waiting to get a shot of the velour covered mound (formerly known as Heath) as it/he is wheeled off into the coroner's vehicle. So what gives? Why this sudden, lackadaisical approach?

This tag: “Standing By Her Man," has become tiresome as politician after politician is compelled to believe that they are beyond the moral/legal law and further, entitled to break it: Senator Larry Craig, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Governor James McGreevey and Senator David Vitter just to name a recent few. And guess what? All of their respective wives could be seen “Standing By Her Man,” albeit looking as if they had just thrown up in their mouths a little bit.

But should we be surprised with this rush to tag behavior?

No. As usual, 24-hour news has failed society. It has failed to consider that Mrs. Spitzer’s presence may be indicative of anything other than spousal dedication; that “Standing By Her Man” may not at all be about devotion, but strategy. For all we know she has already hired an assassin to settle all this cheating nonsense—although Silda, I wouldn’t recommend the extermination route, as I’m sure that your husk of a husband is friends and/or plays poker with the majority of NYC hit men, I’m just sayin’.

Yet this 24-hour assessment of what is indeed assumed accurate should be expected, as deliberate manipulation or at least partial omission is a symptom of the sexist, agenda-driven, one-dimensional society that we live in, wherein the news presents what it is we are allowed to see, dictates what it is we are allowed to think and therefore learn about our roles in society. They are corrupt and far from impartial, as they are in bed with cooperate entities, and therefore, riddled with sexism, ageism and racism. As a convenient source for news, 24-hour news takes advantage of their viewers by providing subliminal anti-group-of-the-moment rhetoric, which we (or most of) society will perceive as the valid truth. We don’t even realize that we’re being discriminated against and molded into thoughtless drones; drones who are taught to recognize that a woman should indeed “Stand By Her Man,” no matter the indiscretion because that's what we do. Put on your best 2-piece tweed, accessorize and smile lady because that’s what you do. Rub your feet, Mr. Spitzer? Would you like another blanket, Mr. Spitzer?

So, as I listen to women criticize Mrs. Spitzer’s choice, I think to myself, huh, nice job 24-hour news, you’ve managed to blame the victim and thereby turn women against women, wherein they cannot come together and give Mrs. Spitzer the benefit of doubt, support, or even consider that she may have her own agenda as to why she’s “Standing By Her Man.” It’s a divisive, strategic tactic indeed, meant to keep the masses from thinking, bonding, forming, gathering and revolting against the corporation and it works like a gem. 

To see the true off her rocker jenji rant click here

Look, I'm sure she has her reasons for standing alongside him at these press conferences, be it religion, her children, whatever. Perhaps she is a passive product of a patriarchal society, I don’t know.  I’m not nearly as psychic as Sylvia Browne suggests each one of us might be. My point is that we truly can't predict what it is that Mrs. Spitzer may be feeling and going through during this particular crisis anymore than we might be able to predict her favorite flavor ice cream. However, we might consider that there may be more than one explanation for her behavior, as even Neapolitan has three flavors.

So, let's deliberate for a moment.

Here’s a question: Has anyone stopped to consider that Mrs. Spitzer is merely protecting her children who have been emotionally abandoned and traumatized by their father's disgraceful indiscretions? That as a matter of protection she may in fact be determined to keep their world as consistent as possible by postponing the feminist solution—to publicly scorn and vilify their father—as it would only serve to further exacerbate these abandonment issues for her children; is that possible? Could this be a Mama Lion at work?

This is just a theory, but it is entirely plausible that Mrs. Spitzer might be gathering all of her energy to provide a stable constant; a parent that her vulnerable children can actually depend upon and trust.

So what’s the solution, jenji? You must have some sort of alternative title/tag up your sleeve that 24-hour news can implement in an effort to describe her response, one which might somehow remain neutral, while still presenting the situation?

Oh, it’s not a tag at all. The solution is that he/she who has deceived, wandered and/or strayed should be holding these conferences solamente, sans the spousal distraction so that we may then concentrate all of our energy upon the true jackass of the moment.

True Jackass of the Moment

True Jackass of the Moment In Training

Then I should think the tags would be quite easy to create--literal even. The problem for the 24-hour graphics department is that these tags would constantly change, as do the deceitful aggressors. What a kick in the pants for graphics.

Still, I should think that these tags would read something like this:

-Governor Spitzer Will Now Talk Out of His Ass and Admit Felonious Activites

-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Admits to Boning his Ex Chief-of-Staff

-Governor James McGreevey Admits Homosexuality and Buys Property on Fire Island

-Senator Larry Craig Admits Incontinence, But Insists That His Bladder Is Not, Nor Has It Ever Been Gay

-Senator David Vitter Admits DC Madam Is On His Christmas Wish List

-Anthony Weiner Continues To Live Up To His Name

Do you see what I’m saying? Now that’s simplistic and literal! The graphics department can thank me later.

I'm just sayin', take a moment to truly deliberate, to think outside of the media driven box and resist the mesmerizing, hypnotic, 24-hour lava lamp of complacency; consider as many sides of the issue as possible before you harangue and blame the victim. Make an effort to wade through the thick, 24-hour bisque of the day and whether vituperative or supportive in the end at least you’ve taken the time to interact before you react.

A bit of advice for Eliot Spitzer: although Mrs. Spitzer has been victimized she still has the capacity to react as anything other than a victim, for most mothers would agree—betray me and we may be able to work this out, betray my children and you’ll find yourself wishing you had never been born.

jenji

Instigator

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Fear mongering instigator. Helpful messages can be lost when you're under pressure to create and (over)produce a riveting one-hour show every day of the week. His expertise is better utilized on a guest basis.

I'm Just Sayin.

jenji

*I guess I called that one. See: arsenic in apple juice 2011

Poorly Written, but Written None-the-Less II: The Resurrection

Earlier this afternoon, I caught a few minutes of frenzied news coverage on The Weather Channel regarding tornadic activity and the subsequent aftermath in Mississippi. A devastating scene to be sure, however seeing Mike Bettes on location reminded me of a blog post I meant, but failed to post back in February when the folks in Washington D.C. found themselves waist deep in blowing and drifting snow. And so I feel compelled to mention what Mike Bettes had to say about that particular snowstorm.

The Scene:

On location, Bettes went on about the gravity of the situation, as this particular storm had provided some aggressive accumulation, which was quickly becoming unmanageable for D.C. residents.

Then he said it:

"And I have to tell you, this is nothing-- there's a number two storm right behind this one."

I couldn't help but interpret this to mean that this storm had nothing over the shit storm that was about to follow.

I know this is a juvenile observation--I know it. But I laughed out loud when I heard him say this because I immediately envisioned myself as his producer wherein I would have said to him via his earpiece: really Mike, a number 2 storm? So a shit storm is about to follow, is that what you're saying? A shit storm. Really? Is this language you want to use?

Honestly, I need to grow up.

jenji

Poorly Written, but Written None-the-Less

Get A Grip

A fellow blogger created a post about a week ago regarding "How Powerless Humans Really Are" when it comes to a particular weather event. Please do visit Marvin's blog, as not only does he have a unique writing style, but he also gets *it. For me, the topic ignited a pretty specific response, as the topic of weather--particularly snow--as it relates to an individual's defiant inability to simply consider the non-magnitude of its presence--has been and will continue to irritate me up until the very last flake has evaporated into the sky.

And so, some of this post is copied directly from my response to Marvin's original post, while I will go ahead and apologize for pulling what some may consider a repost or perhaps some sort of backwoods plagiarism even though I did in fact create the response myself. I apologize, I do-- however, I don't really mean it.

------

I completely understand that a blizzardlike event can slow up or even halt human beings in their tracks. It can be difficult to navigate about a wintery environment when you're not accustomed to doing so.

That said, I've lived in NY for most of my life and I can tell you that snow can slow things up quite a bit. It can be messy and inconvenient; however it's snow and it's February. In fact, winter, for the most part, is not going to kill you.

Our local news networks bask in the glory of a snow event in that it provides an opportunity for manipulative producers to create an event out of a non-event. They love to panic the local residents and they know damn well what they're doing: crying wolf.

It's snow.

...It's not cancer

...It's not a death in the family.

...It's not a life-altering event. It's snow.

In fact, fiscal arguments aside and aside from the unexpected/expected accidents that may occur during a messy commute, a snow event is not the type of experience that qualifies as a disaster. And yet the media makes it seem as though the apocalypse has finally arrived. Individuals who live down south and speak as if the end of the world is upon us need to understand that I understand: it's snow. It's messy and if you're not used to it, somewhat overwhelming. However, southerners (and believe me, many, many northerners who dare quibble about winter in February) fail to look at the bright side or gain perspective for what really matters.

Yes, we may be talking about a few feet of snow, but you're not buried underneath a pile of fallen cement in Haiti; your home has not been swept away by a tornado; a tsunami has not leveled your home and carried away your loved ones.

It's --> fucking --> snow. Deal with it. It can be cold, blustery and even inconvenient, but for the most part, it's not going to kill you. Stop whining, make a cup of hot cocoa, drag your kids out to make snow angels and/or snowmen and thank your lucky stars for this particular strain of weather-related inconvenience.

Belly in the sand. And yes, I have since cleaned the lens.

Southwest

Nature's Confection

Adjust your perspective and attempt to embrace the beauty.

*it: whatever you need it to be, Marvin gets it.

jenji

And Now A Message From Our Sponsor

Rick Sanchez

Disclaimer:

It is nothing new to learn that I have serious and considerable criticisms regarding 24-hour news. However, the following message is not related to the political/social agenda of a particular network and/or their psychosocial effect/affect on society per se. Instead it is about a specific personality and while I understand and agree that the current strain and overall majority of cable "news" personalities--those who present "the news" throughout various networks--are generally problematic and troubling as a whole, for some reason in the wake of the current catastrophe in Haiti, this particular individual's need to punctuate horrific imagery through gratuitous commentary (as if such imagery cannot speak for itself) really stood out and rubbed me the wrong way.

And so, take note of the photo above:

News flash: You're neither a journalist, a news anchor nor a correspondent. You Sir, are a sensationalistic putz; a transparent talking head whose insincerity for truth is surpassed only by your insincerity for humanity and you should be ashamed of yourself.

jenji

Living Out Loud

Last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Janine Garofalo commented on Twitter and Facebook et al.

She spoke directly to the audience when she said:

"...you young people are living out loud. All this information you're putting out there in perpetuity, but take it from me, I'm a narcissist believe me, but at least I have the decency to hate myself. Young people, you have no grasp of self-loathing and how to censor the output of what you put out there."

Indeed.






Breakfast of champions.

jenji

Limited Engagement

If you need a good laugh, please proceed.
WARNING: Profane language.

Matt. she IS what she IS...

Okay, I must say that I find Ann Coulter to be an alarmist: a bickering fundamentalist in a perpetual state of political and social malcontent and humanistic denial. And yes, I find corporeal irony in the fact that she is arguably an anoretic ectomorph whose caustic, corybantic disposition literally transforms her into a most misanthropic, manipulative endomorph whose gauche social commentary, theatrical hair flipping and disaffected chuckling strives to exploit, promote and peddle division, derision, hatred, intolerance and fear into the guts of those of a more shall we say, bilious temperament; and sure she criticizes the underdog with a less than egalitarian view, in fact I find her utterly repulsive as a human being, but dammit I also find her incredibly entertaining.

Whenever I hear that she’s going to be interviewed and/or featured on a program I cannot help but find myself delighted to be setting the DVR to record whatever uncomfortable, foot-in-mouth encounter she is about to provide. Rush Limbaugh wishes he were this controversial, as he fails to proffer his version of hate and propaganda in an educated (albeit misdirected) fashion.

Here's the thing: Ann's insults are creative.

Rush’s arguments are entirely transpicuous and vapid, in that his cholesterol gargling falsetto screams of tyrannical desperation, in that he needs you—implores you—to buy his big bag of bullshit, for further proliferation of the white Anglo-Saxon elite literally depends upon it and further, he must maintain subliminal control over what Rush’s team surely calls the subservient riff-raff; that is, the white Anglo-Saxon middle/lower class who are too foolish to know when they are being indirectly insulted by their great leader.

Rush in fact feeds upon such compliance and conformity to his opinions, in that his ego requires that you kneel before the megalomaniacal, $33 million per year General Zod, if you know what I’m saying, as it will validate, fulfill and justify his sense of righteousness and power in the world. However, there is a pathetic urgency in his broadcasts; a sense of -I’m not right unless you believe I’m right- in his voice, wherein Ann Coulter doesn’t give a polemic shit whether you believe she’s right or not; she knows she right and that's all that matters. She doesn’t need your loyalty, submission, validation and/or ratings; she already has legions of conservatives from puberty to propecia jerking off to her 8x10 glossy head shot. I mean honestly, what more could she need?

Here is a clip of Ann’s latest appearance on The Today Show with Matt Lauer, although if you're going to take the time to watch a video clip, I would highly suggest that you hold out until the end of this entry, which was added as an update, wherein Coulter goes blonde head, to blonde head, to blonde head, to redhead, to wig, to dreads with the ladies on The View.

Anyway, I always look forward to Ann and Matt in an NBC, righteous indignation cage match. I usually find Matt’s moral outrage to be a bit exaggerated, wherein it seems as though the majority of his frustration lies in the fact that he just can’t seem to get her to see how morally reprehensible and insulting she is as a human being. Ann in turn ruffles Matt’s journalistic style in that he soon resorts to focusing upon absolutes and trivialities, a tactic which usually comes back to bite him in the ass, wherein she’ll whip out words like extemporaneously and refer to him as Matt Lauer et al.; somehow Matt manages to look like the lunatic in that he’s pleading with her to see that for which she has no interest in seeing: that she is a nasty human being: that she is caustic, controversial and morally repugnant.

Yes, that's true. But how is it relevant to the interview?

I say, let her bark, that’s who she is and always has been. I’ve never seen a journalist so ardently challenge Rush Limbaugh to his face as to why he’s such an egotistical bigot. Why does Ann Coulter have to play nice? Lauer is consistently condescending in his interviews with her in that he is dead set on challenging her as to why she’s so divisive, as opposed to why it is she thinks that way. He rarely lets her finish an answer, as he is obsessed with getting her to admit that the malicious content of her books are simply fabricated and included to garner attention and sensationalism.

Um, Matt? She’s written six wing-nut books, I’m quite certain that she believes what she’s saying and is in fact a nasty, malicious human being; let her ramble, the ratings will write themselves.

He needs to let go of the fact that a—what some may consider--attractive, leggy blond woman is sitting before him spewing hate and intolerance because there’s something very -Daddy’s-little-girl, very -pretty can’t be ugly- in his voice and inferences that just make me want to vomit and again, while I’m in no a way supporter of Ann Coulter’s hateful rhetoric, I take absolute offense to his patronizing -pretty can't be ugly- style.

MATT:
-Why won’t you just be nice, Ann? Why? Why can’t you just play nice?

ANN:
Well, because I’m a hateful, repugnant, right-wing ‘round the bend, conservative bigot, Daddy. I don’t want to play nice.

MATT:
-But you're too pretty to be ugly, you don’t really feel that way, Ann.

ANN:
Yes, I do.

MATT:
-But how do you know Ann? How do you know that liberals should all be burned at the stake? How do you know that Jews are imperfect and that 9/11 widows are greedy Jersey Girls? You don’t make $33 million/year on a radio show; you don’t have people kneeling before you, validating your cause, so how do you know that you’re right? How can you be certain and truly know that you’re a hateful, repugnant, right-wing, ‘round the bend, conservative bigot?

And like The Keymaker in The Matrix it’s simple:
Ann knows because she was meant to know.

Let it go Lauer. This is who she is.

jenji
UPDATE:
Ann appeared on The View this past Tuesday: need I say more?
Experience the hysterical contagion: the petulant, wing-nut, trichototillomanical hissy fit to the 6th power here.
It.Is.A.Freakin.Mess. And so very worth it.

Tattle Tale!

and now, we join the debate already in progress...

Sen. Clinton:
...oh yeah, well Senator Obama has stated time and again that he uses Astroglide, when in fact he uses KY Jelly, which I think we would all agree is an elitist product... and he knows it! So...so...so, that makes him a poopie pants!

Sen. Obama:
Oh yeah, well Senator Clinton has repeatedly stated that she uses Mastermind sheen in her hair, when in fact she uses Dumb Blonde and she knows it! So....so....so, that makes her an even bigger poopie pants!

(whispers echo across the audience "Obama hates blondes")

Charlie Gibson:
Senator Obama, do you mean to suggest that Senator Clinton is a dumb blonde?

Sen. Obama:
No, Charlie...Dumb Blonde is a Tigi hair care product.

Charlie:
Huh...that's not written on my profoundly, overproduced list of questions...

(crickets)

Sen. Clinton:
May I respond to that, Charlie? Although I believe Barack to be a good man, he does in fact hate blondes and all women, even black women; and white people; oh, and men, but not black men; and animals, but not black Labradors; and you, Charlie....man, does he ever hate you.

Oh, wait! And he hates the American flag, which means that he hates all Americans, as well as Betsy Ross! So, clearly he is the biggest poopie pants of all time...

George Snuffleupagus:
Huh. Well, my profoundly, overproduced card says to ask about Senator Obama's reluctance regarding the American Fag Sin. So, Senator Obama, is it just American fags that you find sinful or international fags as well?

(whispers across the audience echo "Obama hates American fags who sin")

(George holds an index finger to his ear)
(he chuckles)

I'm sorry Senator, I have just been informed that the question was supposed to read American flag pin. Isn't that just a kick in the pants...can someone bring me my glasses, please?

(meanwhile, the news wires fire up and the viral explosion ensues, 'OBAMA HATES FAGS WHO SIN!')

Charlie:
Senator Obama, Americans have indeed been questioning your allegiance to our flag, as you simply refuse to wear a flag pin upon your lapel. It's quite a hot topic on the Internet. In fact, we have a video of a concerned American for you to see, sir.

(insert YouTube video of rambling imbecile with patriotic pin concerns HERE)

What do you say to those concerned, Senator?

ERROR
*Reply missing because jenji literally wretched out loud upon hearing this question and couldn't hear the reply, as she was busy ranting around the house in an enraged, Hitler'esk manner, however in an effort to encourage the continuity and flow of this blog entry, she decided to apply an answer that was most appropriate for the question.

*Senator Obama:
Well Charlie, I would tell the woman in the video, as well as any American concerned with my allegiance to our country over an absent pin, that they are fuckin morons who need to read a book before their brains begin to drain from their nostrils. I would also like to mention that although I consider Senator Clinton to be a valued friend that I would break bread with, but never donate a kidney to, it is in fact she who hates you, Charlie; and black people; and animals; and South Park; and poor people; and blowjobs--man o man does she ever hate blowjobs.

(whispers echo across the audience "blowjobs blowjobs blowjobs")

(INSERT CONDESCENDING, COPYRIGHTED OBAMA SIGH and SMIRK HERE)

And as we all know Charlie, those who hate blowjobs are THE biggest poopie pants in the whole, wide world--like, ever, EVER!

(a bell rings, which sounds very much like the bell at the slaughter auction)

Charlie:
I'm sorry Senators, but we have run out of time. I suppose the pressing topic of blowjobs will have to wait until the next debate. Until then, goodnight from Pennsylvania.

(Charlie elbows George)
Say goodnight, George.

George:
I can't find my Chapstick.

(Charlie elbows George again)

Charlie:
Say goodnight, George.

George:
Oh, sorry....goodnight, George.

I think we would learn more about these two individuals if they just went on Jeopardy and sparred it out at those podiums. At least we would have some sort of gauge as to their knowledge about anything other than the gossip of the day.

They should both be ashamed of their behavior, while Charlie Gibson and George -it's impossible for me to wear anymore Chapstick than I am currently sporting-- Snuffleupagus should be immediately fired and sign on to anchor Inside Edition.

jenji

More Artistic Inspiration

I'm a big fan of Nick and Sheila Pye. In fact, I had the pleasure of seeing one of their exhibitions last year, A Life Of Errors, at The Rare Gallery in NYC. I was also fortunate enough to meet them at a speaking engagement in New York a couple of years ago, wherein they welcomed thoughts and questions for about 2 hours and then showed much of their completed works, as well as various works in progress.

This clip is just a snippet of The Paper Wall



There are extraordinarily down to earth, present, open, unpretentious, smug-free and overall, lovely people.

They work within a variety of mediums including still photography, 16mm film and HD. If they are ever in your town I would highly recommend checking them out.


jenji

Grand Central Station

This is a fantastic piece of work by ImprovEverywhere.



Great performance piece, very creative and inspirational for those of us who are makers.

It reminds me that I can't wait to begin making my own work again. Very soon...June 08.

Detailed schematics are being drawn up for a new piece of work and I'm so eager to begin the collaborative process for this project with a fellow artist for whom I have the highest esteem, regard and respect for.


jenji

Still relevant...

Suggested training and motivational video (see below) for:

FOX News employees
The Bush Administration
24-hour cable news "journalists"
Ann Coulter's team
Rush Limbaugh's team
Lou Dobbs' team
Tom Cruise
Entertainment Tonight
The Insider
Jena, Louisiana (yes, the entire town, just as a precaution)
Bill O'Reilly's team (see FOX)
an extremist of any flavor

...and all of those nasty, catty, self-righteous men and women that we've all been known to work, encounter, endure, interact and share genetic components with at the INSERT ENVIRONMENT HERE, while we're trying to INSERT OBJECTIVE HERE, yet it becomes increasingly difficult to do so, as some people can be such incredibly huge INSERT PROFANITY HERE!

...you know, those people at that place.



THE SNEETCHES (1961) Seuss

...to see the conclusion of The Sneetches and some still very relevant, Hitler inspired anti-overtones click here

...also, I've posted a new poll in the sidebar. Feel free to vote!

jenji

Smoke and Mirrors

As of late, I have seen and heard many individuals, particularly women, ramble on about how angry they are with Silda Spitzer and her so called pathetic, codependent choice to support her husband during the controversy surrounding Mr. Spitzer’s recent, imprudent behavior; or what I have come to call—Seriously Spitzer, Could You Be a Bigger Narcissistic Moron?

To some degree I can understand this critical assessment of Mrs. Spitzer, as I must admit to my own knee jerk reaction upon first seeing her standing catatonic beside Spitzer at the podium. In fact, for a moment I was livid, yet slightly disoriented as to why I would be so quick to judge another's situation, as it’s not normally within my nature to automatically do so, especially under such an extreme and depraved circumstance. So I was puzzled, if not slightly sickened as to my disparaging response.

Seriously, what kind of bug did I have up my ass that day? Although at the time, I must admit that I was riding out some nasty cold medication.

I mean, justifiably our anger and criticism should be directed toward Spitzer himself, but instead we posture aggressively toward Mrs. Spitzer. It is truly astounding how quickly we have taken our eyes off the ball or in this case—off the bald. After all, Eliot Spitzer is the hypocritical, adulterous, self-centered, narcissist who brought shame upon his family, not Silda. He is the aggressor, while Mrs. Spitzer and her three daughters are the victims, right?

So, why is it so easy for us to blame the victim?
As usual, it’s the media.

Upon reflection and in an effort to think outside the media driven box, I came to realize that I wasn’t at all upset with Mrs. Spitzer’s decision, but in fact with the media’s decision to methodically use and thereby assign a most subliminal term—“Standing By Her Man”—as the end all description for Mrs. Spitzer’s response; presentation of said subliminal term is of course complete with gripping graphic and melodramatic music required to further evoke drone like submission from the masses.

24-hour media loves the literal, injudicious picture. They would prefer not to truly think or deliberate, as both waste time, so the quicker to judge, think and/or deliberate (in fact manipulate), the quicker to air; the quicker to air, the higher the ratings; the higher the ratings, the more money they make. It’s a lava lamp of misleading, agenda driven information; hypnotic and painstakingly repetitive as it creates legions of disciples who are addicted and willing to depend upon 24-hour news as their definitive source for deliberative thought.

This tag: “Standing By Her Man," is an irresponsible assumption; a manipulative suggestion, with a rudimentary connotation that is entirely strategic, primitive and discriminatory in nature, while it leaves little room for interpretive discussion and/or deliberation. I mean as a viewer why bother with deliberation? There she is, demure and dutiful in her unassuming blue suit; complete with silk scarf accoutrement. She looks like an accommodating flight attendant: Can I get you a beverage Mr. Spitzer? Would you like a pillow Mr. Spitzer? Hot cloth Mr. Spitzer? The entire scenario is so 1950’s I could gag.

So I ask. Is she really “Standing By Her Man?”

I’m not blind. I mean I see her standing there, demure and seemingly devoted as ever, but is she indeed supporting him?

Hello? I’m talking to you 24-hour news. Did you bother to investigate the situation before smacking this simplistic, suggestive tag upon her response and presence? Surely you have the journalistic capacity to sniff out a reliable source that might offer some insight as to Mrs. Spitzer’s genuine motivation for showing up to this humiliating conference. After all, you hunt down sources to feed your incessant Britney stories; half a million reporters are strategically posted outside of Heath Ledger's loft waiting to get a shot of the velour covered mound (formerly known as Heath) as it/he is wheeled off into the coroner's vehicle. So what gives? Why this sudden, lackadaisical approach?

This tag: “Standing By Her Man," has become tiresome as politician after politician is compelled to believe that they are beyond the moral/legal law and further, entitled to break it: Senator Larry Craig, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Governor James McGreevey and Senator David Vitter just to name a recent few. And guess what? All of their respective wives could be seen “Standing By Her Man,” albeit looking as if they had just thrown up in their mouths a little bit.

But should we be surprised with this rush to tag behavior?

No. As usual, 24-hour news has failed society. It has failed to consider that Mrs. Spitzer’s presence may be indicative of anything other than spousal dedication; that “Standing By Her Man” may not at all be about devotion, but strategy. For all we know she has already hired an assassin to settle all this cheating nonsense—although Silda, I wouldn’t recommend the extermination route, as I’m sure that your husk of a husband is friends and/or plays poker with the majority of NYC hit men, I’m just sayin’.

Yet this 24-hour assessment of what is indeed assumed accurate should be expected, as deliberate manipulation or at least partial omission is a symptom of the sexist, agenda-driven, one-dimensional society that we live in, wherein the news presents what it is we are allowed to see, dictates what it is we are allowed to think and therefore learn about our roles in society. They are corrupt and far from impartial, as they are in bed with cooperate entities, and therefore, riddled with sexism, ageism and racism. As a convenient source for news, 24-hour news takes advantage of their viewers by providing subliminal anti-group-of-the-moment rhetoric, which we (or most of) society will perceive as the valid truth. We don’t even realize that we’re being discriminated against and molded into thoughtless drones; drones who are taught to recognize that a woman should indeed “Stand By Her Man,” no matter the indiscretion because that's what we do. Put on your best 2-piece tweed, accessorize and smile lady because that’s what you do. Rub your feet, Mr. Spitzer? Would you like another blanket, Mr. Spitzer?

So, as I listen to women criticize Mrs. Spitzer’s choice, I think to myself, huh, nice job 24-hour news, you’ve managed to blame the victim and thereby turn women against women, wherein they cannot come together and give Mrs. Spitzer the benefit of doubt, support, or even consider that she may have her own agenda as to why she’s “Standing By Her Man.” It’s a divisive, strategic tactic indeed, meant to keep the masses from thinking, bonding, forming, gathering and revolting against the cooperation and it works like a gem.
To see the true off her rocker jenji rant click here.

Look, I'm sure she has her reasons for standing alongside him at these press conferences, be it religion, her children, whatever. Perhaps she is a passive product of a patriarchal society, I don’t know. I’m not nearly as psychic as Sylvia Browne suggests each one of us might be. My point is that we truly can't predict what it is that Mrs. Spitzer may be feeling and going through during this particular crisis anymore than we might be able to predict her favorite flavor ice cream. However, we might consider that there may be more than one explanation for her behavior; even Neapolitan has three flavors.

So, let's deliberate for a moment.

Here’s a question: Has anyone stopped to consider that Mrs. Spitzer is merely protecting her children who have been emotionally abandoned and traumatized by their father's disgraceful indiscretions? That as a matter of protection she may in fact be determined to keep their world as consistent as possible by postponing the feminist solution—to publicly scorn and vilify their father—as it would only serve to further exacerbate these abandonment issues for her children; is that possible? Could this be a Mama Lion at work?

This is just a theory, but it is entirely plausible that Mrs. Spitzer might be gathering all of her energy to provide a stable constant; a parent that her vulnerable children can actually depend upon and trust.

So what’s the solution, jenji? You must have some sort of alternative title/tag up your sleeve that 24-hour news can implement in an effort to describe her response, one which might somehow remain neutral, while still presenting the situation?

Oh, it’s not a tag at all. The solution is that he/she who has deceived, wandered and/or strayed should be holding these conferences solamente, sans the spousal distraction so that we may then concentrate all of our energy upon the true jackass of the moment.







<---true jackass of the moment

Then I should think the tags would be quite easy to create--literal even. The problem for the 24-hour graphics department is that these tags would constantly change, as do the deceitful aggressors. What a kick in the pants for graphics.

Still, I should think that these tags would read something like this:

Governor Spitzer Will Now Talk Out Of His Ass and Admit Felonious Activities

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Admits to Boning His ex Chief-of-Staff

Governor James McGreevey Admits Homosexuality and Buys Property on Fire Island

Senator Larry Craig Admits Incontinence, but Insists That His Bladder Is Not, Nor Has It Ever Been Gay

Senator David Vitter Admits DC Madam Is On His Christmas Wish List

Do you see what I’m saying? Now that’s simplistic and literal! The graphics department can thank me later.

I'm just sayin', take a moment to truly deliberate, to think outside of the media driven box and resist the mesmerizing, hypnotic, 24-hour lava lamp of complacency; consider as many sides of the issue as possible before you harangue and blame the victim. Make an effort to wade through the thick, 24-hour bisque of the day and whether vituperative or supportive in the end at least you’ve taken the time to interact before you react.

A bit of advice for Eliot Spitzer: although Mrs. Spitzer has been victimized she still has the capacity to react as anything other than a victim, for most mothers would agree—betray me and we may be able to work this out, betray my children and you’ll find yourself wishing you had never been born.

jenji

We interrupt this program...

In society, there is a dysfunctional relationship between the corporation and the community. Specifically, the corporate entities of 24-hour cable news often become the abuser, whereby the community, society, and/or viewer, will become the abused.

Structurally, this abusive relationship renders one party deviously aware of its power and superiority, wherein the other, faithful and loyal to the information that television provides, remains unaware of their own inferiority, suggestibility and ignorance regarding this calculated duality.

Ann Marie Seward Barry wrote an essay entitled, Visual Intelligence: Perception, Image and Manipulation of Visual Communication, wherein she maintains that:

“The viewer believes in television, for generally speaking, he is convinced that the small screen, unlike the large screen (of cinema) opens a window on the real lives of people”
(Barry, 171).

For the most part, I agree with Barry and therein lies the problem. Further, I assert that contemporary television—specifically, 24-hour cable news—has taken advantage of this conviction by deceitfully persuading the viewer that the information broadcast is somehow a collective, homogenic experience—that this is reality and in reality we (the channel) are you. Au contraire. In reality, they are not us, nor should they be. They should document and present the news to us sans the manipulative and/or suggestive bias or spin and further, encourage us to form our own opinion and ideology; to supplement our source for information with as many outlets as possible. Our relation to the talking head should be irrelevant, for the journalists of contemporary 24-hour news fail to attain even a shred of journalistic integrity and impartiality and further, simply refuse to ask the tough questions. Therefore, the tough questions are rarely asked, the corporate spin ensues, the “real” reality skews and the various societal maladies begin.

Regrettably, a vast majority of our society will simply believe what they are told, wherein they fail to critically engage with the presented information. Abusing this reality, each channel harbors a specific objective and actively preys upon society’s pluralistic ignorance and passivity to attain the real reality.

In addition, they strategically overload our auditory and visual perceptions with dramatic melodies, while surrounding the chiseled bobble head of the moment with various icons, banners, graphics and an inexhaustible stream of post-9/11, journalistic text—other news—that incessantly creeps across the bottom of the screen, because let’s face it, we need to know it all and we need to know it now. Assign a trusted face to assault our senses, add fear and stir. Now wonder society is riddled with ADD, OCD and PTSD—we’re distracted, obsessed, traumatized and indeed entranced by the affects/effects of the all-powerful 24-hour, all-or-nothing news, fraudulent flim-flam cable news. And by all-or-nothing, I mean that they either overwhelm us with ambiguous, spurious fear (all) or distract us to the point of obsession with utter drivel (nothing). Either way, we’re too preoccupied and distracted to notice what’s really going on around us—events that in fact desperately need our attention.

Still, society continues to ritualistically gorge itself upon this feast of 24-hour news, riddled with fear, terror and panic, and we do so with a significant sense of urgency and desperate sense of futility—and yet, we are often unable to articulate exactly what it is that has us up at night because these methods leave the viewer highly distracted and incapable of any form of qualitative and/or constructive analysis. In fact, many viewers are generally unaware of this subliminal, cognitive assault and may instead feel a sense of community and camaraderie with their news source; that is, as they sit in their lazy boy dutifully nodding along with channel XXX’s assessment of FEAR FEAR FEAR they may relate to this experience in much the way one might relate to a live community exposition—they have chosen their source for information and they believe what they are told. We trust in what they’re reporting as accurate and thank them for it. After all, the bobblehead of the moment is our friend—a constant in an inconsistent world—and a friend would never lie to us, so we have faith in what we perceive as fact. Don’t eat it (FEAR)! Don’t buy that (FEAR)! Don’t trust them (FEAR)! Don’t travel there and for God’s sake don’t stay here—FEAR FEAR FEAR!

It’s no wonder that society is in a perpetual state of hypervigilance, as we are told that we are either going to catch it, lose it, need it and/or die from it—or that someone else is either going to discharge it, steal it, leave it or kill us for it. It only makes sense that after cramming this FEAR FEAR FEAR down our throats for so long that we are merely a mass produced and perfectly manipulated plate of pâté de foie gras for the corporation (24-news) to indulge in—and in our worried, restless, sleepless and anxiety ridden states, these corporations continue to relentlessly cram this cocktail of fear and doom down our already swollen throats—literally, through a cathode ray tube (quiet all you flat screen smugolites). And like our avian friends whose sick and swollen livers are created to satisfy the palates of the privileged and elite, our bodies have also become sick and swollen from this constant ingestion of fear and doom—our sickness has been created to benefit or feed the elite as well—mainly the pharmaceutical corporations and their investors/supporters who rely upon the psychosocial affects/effects of media.

This is the real reality.

In fact, it seems that the only reality where the viewer has a choice or shall I say, invitation into the analytical processes of television remains in the realms of the other reality; to be precise, reality television and it’s up to us to decide whether or not Sanjaya should stay another week on American Idol. In fact, I believe that this other reality—where the viewer is asked to vote and thereby feel included—was created by the corporation as a device to further distract society from the real reality by again instilling a false sense of control over something—anything—as long as we feel and perceive that we are important and being included.

They would much prefer that we perfect the fine art of dual dialing (using a cell phone and home phone to generate as many votes as possible for our favorite performer), as opposed to the fine art of getting ourselves to a certified polling station, signing in, nodding to the elderly volunteer, drawing the curtain and pulling an actual lever for a candidate whose talents and issues exceed that of wearing a mean pair of hair extensions. Honestly, what a true gift the corporation has bestowed upon us with this other reality—thank God for American Idol and her inbred cousins, for without them we might drown in our own miseries.

That is, as many people struggle to makes ends meet—working two, three or more jobs—they will still find that they must live check to check only to find themselves clawing their way around a bottomless pit of debt, wherein they cannot afford healthcare, rent, utilities, daycare or any other such trivialities like oh I dunno, food; some cannot find employment, while many others have simply lost sight of any realistic retirement. Yet, through our despair, network television has allowed us to keep the faith, for we have control over who’s going to sing the next Celine Dion cover song on American Idol which, by the way should be illegal in all 50 states. And the inebriated hosts of these programs make it more than clear—dammit, if you don’t vote, then you’re to blame for Sanjaya’s departure. They even triple team us—Simon, Randy and Paula tell us that if someone is eliminated, then it’s our fault for not voting and I hope you’re happy!

If only certain elected officials had the balls to admit to us that we’re to blame for their position, that it’s our fault that they are in office. As if to say, "You imbecile, if you dropped the remote and voted/participated in the real reality, we wouldn’t be in this powerful position in the first place, so it’s your fault. There, I hope you’re happy!" this is about the point where they would blow a big wet raspberry in our face. However, they wouldn't dare give away this secret formula of dysfunction, so we remain.

Most likely, we may take joy in judging and eliminating others on these programs because then we can then perpetuate this overbearing cycle of judgment and abuse that the corporation heaps upon us, as the abused can often become the abuser in another circumstance and how gratifying is that power I ask you?

Sure, we're merely deciding—that is, judging—the fate of an often tone-deaf 17 year-old kid, but oh how sweet the satisfaction of doing so. The subordinate sector can suddenly begin to feel somewhat liberated. You see, the corporation has the brilliant sense to throw us a bone every once in a while, as greed and a fervent preoccupation with immediate gratification can sometimes blind the corporation and thereby sabotage their own agenda. However, very rarely do they shoot themselves in the foot, as these folks have excellent life coaches to be sure. I suspect that these coaches are primarily made up of child psychologists who must break out the crayons in an effort to explain why conquering an already fragile population without reward may prove to be counterproductive in the long run.

You see, as society continues to drown in the real reality of everyday existence, 24-hour news and network television (the ugly stepsister of 24-news) have a premeditated partnership in how they inundate us with copious fear; however, not enough to send us completely over the edge—the crayon presentation works, I tell you. For, even the abused individual has a threshold for their abuser and it’s a mighty fine line that the corporation (television) has to walk and this is where network television tags out the meaty hand of 24- hour cable news and begins to allow hope. Hope to relieve our suffering, as we are permitted—in fact, welcomed—to become part of a democratic process, albeit a completely irrelevant democratic process.

As I mentioned, network television allows us to vote on frivolous topics and to further garner our trust, it incessantly asks how we’re doing, for it suspects we’re not feeling so very well and rightly so—in fact, network television has the solution.

Oh, network television, how do you know I’m not feeling so well? You’re so perceptive—I heart you network television. Please, share your remedy with me.

Around 6 pm or so, network television begins to urgently ask the viewer a myriad of important questions:

Do you feel anxious?
Do you have stomach trouble?

Seriously, how many times a day do you find the need to, you know….go?
Headaches?
Constipation?
Bloating?
Diarrhea? Dry mouth? Migraines? Blurred vision? High cholesterol? Low cholesterol?
Acid reflux? Insomnia? Arthritis? Restless leg syndrome?
Do you think you have generalized anxiety disorder? Bipolar disorder?

Do you have an unsightly scar on your face—because you know, as a society we need you to obsess over your body and perfection—ah, we mean you deserve to look perfect.

Muscle pain? Weakness? Fatigue? What about cellulite? You best get rid of that cellulite. Depressed? Depression hurts. Come on, you can tell us. Do you have an overactive bladder? Hemorrhoids?

Wait! It’s herpes; you have herpes! That’s okay, you can still lead a sexually active life (usually by the beach) with anyone you want—you can even ride bikes together! We at network television have the answer to your 24-hour prayers.

In fact, look at all of the well-lit remedies we have to offer for your various maladies.

And as the viewer, we remain oblivious to this passive-aggressive agenda, as we are again entranced by the suggestibility and consideration of network television, which has compassionately validated our suffering through a simple acknowledgement: that we are indeed suffering. Therefore, we feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for their concern, for we remain paralyzed with an inability to constructively ask why we’re sick—let’s face it, by that point we’re feeling so shitty that we’ll try anything to relieve our suffering. It’s as if we’ve been on an all night bender of toxic 24-hour news and now, violently ill and heaving, we’re resting our head upon the side of the porcelain throne and begging God for a cold washcloth or friend to hold our hair; and in our weak and vulnerable state, network television can easily become that friend. Although I am quite sure that they would much prefer that you consider them a God.

These corporations realize that this unremitting inundation of fear and hate that they, the mass media, have so lovingly bestowed upon us is going to make us sick, weak and submissive. Therefore, they send in the subliminal messages of profitable network advertisements—specifically, pharmaceutical advertisements—which have again, given us a false sense of control. They assure us that our situation is far from futile—there, there my friend, here is the answer—just ask your doctor if XYZ is right for you. However, if you don’t ask, it’s your own fault and I hope you’re happy!

In fact, one day in the middle of July 2007 between 6:45pm and 7 pm I recorded all of the advertisements during the NBC, CBS and ABC nightly news. These elevating stories included lead based paint in children’s toys (FEAR!), vague terrorist plots (FEAR!), the inaccuracy of mammography (FEAR!), an incurable and virulent strain of tuberculosis (FEAR!), as well as an addendum to the Ten Commandments by the Vatican (don't forget to pray), which reminds us not only that “thou shall not murder” (kill), but that “thou shall recite the rosary whilst in (formidable) traffic.” The latter is not so much fear as it is freaky, and clearly an indication that someone in programming needs to be fired for allowing such benign stories to slip through the fear laden cracks.

Inexplicably, I began to feel nauseous while I watched the news—I can’t explain it—just that my stomach burns into my throat, my head throbs, while my heart races and my legs…well, my legs feel all, I dunno—squirrelly. I sure wish I knew how to remedy this tummy ache of mine.

Luckily, sandwiched between this symptomatic trigger fest o fear were the following advertisements:

Preparation H (2 times), Lunesta (insomnia), Requip (RLS), Caduet (cholesterol), Gas X, Zetia (cholesterol), Advil PM (insomnia), Nexium (acid reflux), Listerine, Imodium, One-a-Day Prostate for men, Vesicare (bladder control), and Contar (diabetes)—did I mention this was only a 15-minute chunk of time? There were also two commercials for Hyundai, one for Chrysler, another for V8 (mysteriously, a preventative measure for our health and again, someone should be fired at Pusher Man Inc.) and finally—or shall I say ironically, Liquid Plumber (twice)—after all, with all that shitting, yakking, and pissing you should be using the “foaming pipe snake” to clean out the ol’ pipes of the house once in a while—you’re up pacing at night anyway, why not use this time wisely?

Overwhelmed with ailments via our neuroticism, thanks in part to our manipulative 24-hour news, we must remain isolated in our real reality from any physical interaction and/or involvement, organized protest and/or individual research, oblivious to our ignorance and analytically static in the biased rendition of their real reality. After all, we’re too overwhelmed with illness and fatigue to assert ourselves after a 12-hour workday.

Further, the corporation relies upon subliminal polarization to prevent the viewer from any proactive interaction with the news or for that matter, with each other. How can one organize when one cannot stand their neighbor? Compounding the spin (I know, at FOX the spin stops there), the viewer can only see/hear what they are shown/told and along with the power of a savvy producer and creative editor they can alter the context or "reality" of an actual event—the real reality—through a manipulative editing process. It is divisive, deliberate process and it works.

Again, akin to the abusive relationship, I would argue that as the abuser, the corporate executives isolate the abused from the truth and implement their own devices to foster a false sense of security in the depiction of the news—sure you should be afraid, but our hierarchy (government, executives etc.) has it under control—or, sure it’s a problem, but just keep working and everything will be okay. Therefore, we believe the fear, we worry about the solutions and we get sick—then, we find comfort in network advertisements and go further into debt trying to pay for those remedies. When one is sick, one should rest. Instead, one has to take on extra hours or positions to pay for the potions that maintain us as viable drones. We’re too damn busy and burnt to investigate any other alternatives.

Further, I would contend that the corporation in fact loathes the viewers they so depend upon and abuse, as they continue to exploit our devotion for their own profit and advantage. As I have argued, the corporation exploits our desire for communication and information, by feverishly shoveling frivolous news, copious fear and uncertainty down the throat of an already anxious society riddled with apprehension and diffidence. Again, a method is used to distract society from the more pressing issues of our time; issues with images so vivid that they cannot be spun or disputed—the real reality.

For example, 24-hour news fails to document or depict the caskets of the well over 4,000 servicemen and women killed in action arriving home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Although, this particular case of censorship was in fact a direct order from The White House to the press, wherein casket coverage was forbidden, while this deliberate deception is spattered red with manipulation and the trickle down effect from our President to the corporation is in all probability polluted.

So I ask. Despite that order, why doesn’t the layman organize and rebel by documenting and capturing the flag-shrouded caskets on a camera phone; by resorting to what Jesse Drew called”

“a form of technological ju-jitsu, whereby a smaller opponent uses the greater motion and weight of its opponent against itself to bring it down” (Drew, 186).

Because most of us are too sick, tired and hopeless to do so—not to mention, the drone-like whirr coming from the societal nest is deafening.

Yet, one could capture this somber reality of war on their camera phone and consequently post the footage on the Internet via MySpace, which is incidentally owned by News Corporation (NewsCorp), who ironically own FOX television and dozens of other media outlets; ultimately, these controversial images would be broadcast through the very device that the corporation has been forbidden to use in broadcasting such images. Instead, 24-hour news fixates and distracts us with the images of a big-breasted blonde who squandered her life away through the dysfunctional consumption of pharmaceutical drugs and money; eventually, dying from it. Or with the perils of a intellectually vacant heiress who is so self-absorbed and overflowing with ego that she cannot even hire a driver to chauffeur her drunken ass around Los Angeles.

The corporation knows that as a society we can identify with Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton (and prefers us to), for our increasingly superfluous and materialistic society continues to raise generations of entitled young adults who, not yet burdened with the ever-present stomach ulcer, have a ferocious appetite for immediate gratification and gluttonous consumption, sans the effort.

These vices further serve as a catalyst for the continuous cycle of corporate abuse against a credulous society that depends upon this disingenuous depiction of the real reality, which the other reality successfully distracts us from.

It's classic good cop, bad cop. Society is its own worst enemy (bad cop) and network/24-hour cable television is seemingly their salvation (good cop). It's dysfunctional: the abused and the abuser, while there is no shelter for salvation.

Let me just say this: the bucktoothed mama of network television and 24-hour news didn’t raise no dummy.

jenji

June 9, 1954

At one time, many thousands of Americans were accused of being Communists or communist sympathizers and became the subject of aggressive investigations and questioning before government or private-industry panels, committees and agencies. The primary targets of such suspicions were government employees, those in the entertainment industry, educators and activists. Suspicions were often given credence despite inconclusive or questionable evidence, and the level of threat posed by a person's real or supposed leftist associations or beliefs was often greatly exaggerated. Many people suffered loss of employment, destruction of their careers, and even imprisonment. Most of these punishments came about through trial verdicts later overturned, laws that would be declared unconstitutional dismissals for reasons later declared illegal or actionable, or extra-legal procedures that would come into general disrepute.

At a session on June 9, 1954, McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, "Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?"

Overnight, McCarthy's immense national popularity evaporated. Censured by his Senate colleagues, ostracized by his party, and ignored by the press, McCarthy died three years later, 48-years old and a broken man.

-Wikipedia

He died? Are you certain?

Let's ask Mr. O'Reilly...