President Barack Obama hosted leaders from around the world at the Nuclear Treaty summit last week and I especially appreciated one major change and aspect that the Obama presidency has provided.
Now when I watch the U.S. president at a lectern, at a meeting, at a public event or at anything that requires poise, dignity, and intellect, I don't have to worry about being embarrassed anymore.
When I watched President George W. Bush, at about any moment or function, I always watched with a certain uneasiness, even dread, that he'd say something moronic or otherwise goof it up. Bush was probably good at hosting barbecues and that's about it.
Obama is articulate, prepared, and impressive in his public demeanor. He projects an excellent image for America to the rest of the world. That's refreshing! That's a change worthy of praise!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Fishermen and pirates and the framing of the issue...
I know from journalism that every story is like a slice of bread: It has two sides. And often an issue has more than just two sides as well. There can be all kinds of sides and complexities. So, it is always interesting to consider how the media or government or business or others can frame an issue. Sometimes information is there, sometimes it isn't. Sometimes sides of an issue are available, sometimes they aren't.
Take, for example, the matter of Somali pirates. For years now, I have heard on the TV news about pirates off the coast of Somalia, tormenting ships and drawing the ire of world-wide navy forces. The term "pirate" itself is certainly a negative term. When I think of a "pirate," I think of "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson and salty peg-legged or hook-handed characters who are mean and violent and like to steal and kidnap. And if a person "spells like a pirate," well, then you know they probably aren't too educated.
Well, I was surprised recently when I checked out the book "Censored 2010, The Top 25 Censored Stories of 2008-09," edited by Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff with Project Censored. The project provides lists and information about news stories that have been reported but tend to be generally overlooked and don't make it into the mainstream media.
Story number three was titled "Toxic Waste Behind Somali Pirates." It noted, "The international community has come out in force to condemn and declare war on the Somali fishermen pirates, while discreetly protecting the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fleets from around the world that have been poaching and dumping toxic waste in Somali waters since the fall of the Somali government 18 years ago."
I don't mean to imply that I am sympathetic to the cause of Somali pirates. I honestly don't know enough about the matter. But now I do have some questions, because of how the issue has been framed by all those who control the picture and the framing.
The descriptive word "fishermen," in contrast to "pirates," is not a negative term. But my main point is that until recently when I saw that article in the book, I had never ever heard anything remotely positive, let alone potentially justifiable, from the Somali side of the issue. Not once, not ever. It just wasn't in the news. It just wasn't part of the news reports. Those who framed the issue within my world of the media and society had framed that detail out.
Take, for example, the matter of Somali pirates. For years now, I have heard on the TV news about pirates off the coast of Somalia, tormenting ships and drawing the ire of world-wide navy forces. The term "pirate" itself is certainly a negative term. When I think of a "pirate," I think of "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson and salty peg-legged or hook-handed characters who are mean and violent and like to steal and kidnap. And if a person "spells like a pirate," well, then you know they probably aren't too educated.
Well, I was surprised recently when I checked out the book "Censored 2010, The Top 25 Censored Stories of 2008-09," edited by Peter Phillips and Mickey Huff with Project Censored. The project provides lists and information about news stories that have been reported but tend to be generally overlooked and don't make it into the mainstream media.
Story number three was titled "Toxic Waste Behind Somali Pirates." It noted, "The international community has come out in force to condemn and declare war on the Somali fishermen pirates, while discreetly protecting the illegal, unreported, and unregulated fleets from around the world that have been poaching and dumping toxic waste in Somali waters since the fall of the Somali government 18 years ago."
I don't mean to imply that I am sympathetic to the cause of Somali pirates. I honestly don't know enough about the matter. But now I do have some questions, because of how the issue has been framed by all those who control the picture and the framing.
The descriptive word "fishermen," in contrast to "pirates," is not a negative term. But my main point is that until recently when I saw that article in the book, I had never ever heard anything remotely positive, let alone potentially justifiable, from the Somali side of the issue. Not once, not ever. It just wasn't in the news. It just wasn't part of the news reports. Those who framed the issue within my world of the media and society had framed that detail out.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
News at 10...
This just in...
An American got a job today. It was the lead story on the TV news. "60 Minutes" plans to do an expose. Said Morley Safer, "When Andy Rooney retires in 25 years, there will be another job opening for someone."
The Party of No recently spent party money on a strip club. That's a no-no, Party of No.
So, if people don't send in their census forms, would that allow newly-employed census workers to be employed longer, which would also help the economy? Hmmm.
The proper grammatical conjugation of Apple gadgetry products is, "iPod, iPad, iPeed."
Media Watch notes that Sarah Palin has been getting too much media coverage lately, with her Arizona trip to campaign for John McCain and other dull subjects, and that isn't fair because Levi Johnston hasn't been providing enough of a counter-balance by getting the same share of media time. For every Palin story, there needs to be a Levi story. Where's the FCC "Fairness Doctrine" when we really need it?
Tea companies are suing the National Tea Party for defamation of character.
A new group, known as the National Beer Party, has emerged. Oh, wait, that was just spring break for college students.
The Republicans and President Obama favor off-shore oil-drilling on the East Coast. Residents of North Carolina are for it too, until they have to trudge around in the black sand with oily feet.
Rufus Barfly said his Idaho militia members like playing soldier, as long as it's not in Iraq or Afghanistan. Their favorite color is camouflage. He said, "We pledge to protect potatoes from government interference and from the French and their fries."
O.K., more Hollywood bad behavior. But, after all, what do people expect from a person named Jesse James?
An American got a job today. It was the lead story on the TV news. "60 Minutes" plans to do an expose. Said Morley Safer, "When Andy Rooney retires in 25 years, there will be another job opening for someone."
The Party of No recently spent party money on a strip club. That's a no-no, Party of No.
So, if people don't send in their census forms, would that allow newly-employed census workers to be employed longer, which would also help the economy? Hmmm.
The proper grammatical conjugation of Apple gadgetry products is, "iPod, iPad, iPeed."
Media Watch notes that Sarah Palin has been getting too much media coverage lately, with her Arizona trip to campaign for John McCain and other dull subjects, and that isn't fair because Levi Johnston hasn't been providing enough of a counter-balance by getting the same share of media time. For every Palin story, there needs to be a Levi story. Where's the FCC "Fairness Doctrine" when we really need it?
Tea companies are suing the National Tea Party for defamation of character.
A new group, known as the National Beer Party, has emerged. Oh, wait, that was just spring break for college students.
The Republicans and President Obama favor off-shore oil-drilling on the East Coast. Residents of North Carolina are for it too, until they have to trudge around in the black sand with oily feet.
Rufus Barfly said his Idaho militia members like playing soldier, as long as it's not in Iraq or Afghanistan. Their favorite color is camouflage. He said, "We pledge to protect potatoes from government interference and from the French and their fries."
O.K., more Hollywood bad behavior. But, after all, what do people expect from a person named Jesse James?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
