Nothing in this blog can be believed. If you think that anything in this blog is true or factual, you'll need to verify it from another source. Do you understand? No? Then read it again, and repeat this process, until you understand that you cannot sue me for anything you read here. Also, having been sucked into taking part in the mass-murder of more than 3 million Vietnamese people on behalf of U.S. Big Business "interests", I'm as mad as a cut snake (and broke) so it might be a bit silly to try to sue me anyway...

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

the west wing...

My partner loves watching The West Wing on the teev...

So I often watch it with her.

And vomit...

It is about the most blatant piece of US propaganda claptrap I could imagine.

Myth after myth after myth...

Myth #1: America is a liberating force on the planet.

Myth #2: The planet would be plunged into violence and chaos if America were not there to stop that happening.

Myth #3: America needs to implant its "democracy" everywhere.

Myth #4: America is the God-appointed Sheriff of The Whole World.

Myth#5: The US Administration can be benign.

Myth #6: Capitalism is good for the poor and anything which is an obstacle to the rampant march of Das Kapital must be opposed vigorously.

Makes me think that the Democrats are even more dangerous than the Republicans. Why? Because with the Democrats you get fed some sort of hope that the system which will ultimately screw you can be administered in a humane way. And that is the most dangerous myth of all...

12 Comments:

Blogger Kurt Reply said...

Mythology is good. Mythology gets some people through the day.
Entertainment is good. Entertainment gets some people through the day.
I watched The West Wing with great interest because it was a fantastically-produced piece of art, art that sometimes depicted the world the way I would like to see it. If you ever watch it from that perspective you might see what I mean. Some of the episodes had a distinctly human message that crosses all geographical boundaries.
A US film critic said these rather interesting words:
...a movie is not good or bad because of its content, but because of how it handles its content. "Million Dollar Baby" is classical in the clean, clear, strong lines of its story and characters, and had an enormous emotional impact....
So, poo on you for this post, Pooh Bear :)

January 09, 2007 9:49 AM  
Blogger Kurt Reply said...

Oh, and RRRRROOOAAARRRR back at ya!
You are not the only Bear that has awoken early from hibernation this year.
Sometime when I feel more magnanimous with my keyboard, I shall be happy to suggest a few specific episodes to watch--episodes that have a wonderful message and are simply Good Art.

January 09, 2007 9:56 AM  
Blogger The Editor said...

Insidious propaganda, Kurt... :-)

January 09, 2007 11:57 AM  
Blogger phil said...

"The world the way I would like to see it."
Agreed. A US president with an IQ ostensibly above 35. And policy discussions leading up to decisions, some considered, some expedient which is probably how it happens anyway - mostly (ie under Clinton). Well, for 'policy discusions' read 'snappy dialogue'.
Ostensibly - great word.

January 09, 2007 10:41 PM  
Blogger Kurt Reply said...

Oh, and back in the nineties during presidential election years, you'd see car bumper stickers here with the running team of Picard/Riker. Back then it was clearly one hundred percent fantasy and whimsy--a humorous dream.
Things changed. By 2004 you'd see stickers with Bartlet/anyone and then, finally, Bartlet/Sorkin. It wasn't clearly whimsy anymore; by then it was only fifty percent fantasy.
So, yes, Bear, you could rename the series Willo'-the-Wisp, or even Wishful Wallowing.
But before you can have a dream come true, first you gotta dream it.

January 10, 2007 2:31 AM  
Blogger Kurt Reply said...

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Yes, Davo, the conspiracy continues.

Now where was I...
Oh, Phil, yes! In the premier episode, you watch for 55 minutes and all you got was what a bumbling fool the new (unseen) President must be, riding his bicycle into a tree and all. But then in the last moment he strides into the Oval Office and astounds everyone with his attitude, his intelligence, his efficacy.
It is a brilliant fantasy that could someday come true if we expected it --or demanded it.
Well . . . maybe.

January 10, 2007 9:20 AM  
Blogger The Editor said...

Phil, "ostensibly" is a great word - ostensibly...

Kurt, I get the feeling I've hit your West Wing button - big time... :-)

January 10, 2007 8:53 PM  
Blogger JahTeh said...

I think I've got this piece right, that Paris Hilton actually thought that Martin Sheen was the President. That blonde bimbo is a real oxygen thief and a rampant consumer.

January 10, 2007 8:59 PM  
Blogger The Editor said...

JahTeh, That is a terrible thing to say about a such wonderful, sensitive, intelligent and very rich woman.

Oh... Did I mention she was very rich? Do you think she'll sue you for defamation? Maybe she'll marry me for saying nice things about her...

Who knows...

Says volumes for capitalism though...

January 11, 2007 12:54 AM  
Blogger Kurt Reply said...

Actually, Gerry, it was Blogger that pushed my buttons that day. I wasn't aware that they'd called for a three-hour down time. It seems that the downtime extended a few more hours and they didn't re-set their little tiny, barely-visible, minuscule, teeny notice--wherever it was. Why can't they design a big red banner to let us all know...it's not as if they don't have the knowledge to cook up something like that in an instant. I sometimes wonder if those geeks can only manage velcro-closure shoes and if their mothers still comb their hair each morning. I'm with JT --
AAAAAARRRRRRGH!

January 12, 2007 1:37 PM  
Blogger JahTeh said...

That wonderful sensitive woman spends 6 grand a year on contacts to be a blue-eyed blonde bimbo but don't let that stop you dodgy. You're just her type, you still have a pulse.

January 14, 2007 11:59 PM  
Blogger The Editor said...

It'd be just for the money, JahTeh...

January 15, 2007 12:23 AM  

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