Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

Were Those the Good Old Days?

Posted on October 12, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Remember when everyone was all worked up about 'apathy'?

Posted in Politics: US | 2 Comments

Understanding Sinclair and Getting Even

Posted on October 12, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

It's not news that 'freedom of the press belongs to he who owns one'. And even in this Internet age of 'everyone a publisher' the fact remains that TV remains the dominant media form in the US, and much of the world.

Sinclair media's decision to abuse its ownership of a group of stations to air a low-quality anti-Kerry propaganda film a few days before the election — to order the stations to dump network programming and run junk instead — is a classic abuse of power.

What's interesting is how Internet users are fighting back. Some, like Ernest Miller, are writing about the context — how the current regulatory climate lacks the safeguards that used to prevent such a blatant abuse of power.

Others are concentrating on how to fight back. One set of ideas comes via Kevin Hayden, suggesting a national pushback aimed at Sinclair's national advertisers. This is a good strategy if you don't live in one of the affected communities.

Another method appears via Kevin Drum, and emphasizes the local angle. I think it's a winner.

Posted in Politics: US | 1 Comment

Tinfoil, Extra Chewy Edition

Posted on October 11, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Someone sent me a link to a film contrasting the speaking style of GW Bush 10 years ago to today . It's a striking contrast. Nevertheless, I'm conflicted about this one.

[Update (10/12): The server hosting the film seems to be melting down under the strain of links from all over the word. The URL is http://www.blogitics.com/footage/BushTenYrs4MB.mov, and I find that if I try it several times I get “not found” and other errors but eventually it works….]

On the one hand, I think that suggesting that a candidate is suffering from pre-senile dementia is a low blow. Too low.

On the other hand, the Bush campaign has left open the door to this sort of speculation, made it almost inevitable, by mysteriously cancelling Bush's annual physical. (I'm sure his doctor would make a house call to the Bush hacienda if asked to.) The example of Paul Tsongas, who suggested he was well when he was in fact not, ought to make us demand that our candidates level with us about their health.

On the gripping hand, if this film clip is representative (and I have no idea if they just took a particularly good moment or if the ten-year-old clip is what he was like), then Bush was vastly — I mean vastly — more articulate ten years ago than he is today, and if there's any chance that the cause for this striking deterioration is physical, as opposed to psychological, we have a right to know.

Posted in Politics: US: 2004 Election | 9 Comments

Brief Notes From AM Radio Land

Posted on October 11, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

I hit the wrong button the radio today while driving to get the kids and was transported to AM Radio Land. Let me tell you, it's different out there. On one station, the host spent ten minutes screaming at the top of his lungs about how Kerry insulted the nation during the second debate when he looked around and said that no one in the audience looked like they were earning over $200,000 per year. “He called you losers!!!” the guy kept shouting, “He said you are all losers!!!” over and over and over again. (Is everyone who makes under $200,000 a “loser” in AM Radioland?)

Three stations to the right, there's a female evangelist saying that many people have asked her if the storms lashing Florida might be some chastisement that G-d has aimed at Florida. No, of course not, she replies, these storms come from the Enemy and are part of a plot to distract people into caring too much about daily life, and ignoring the really important thing we must all do. And what is that? Why, we must elect the right people to office come November 2: “G-dly people, not liberals.”

I am not making this up.

Posted in Politics: US: 2004 Election | 4 Comments

Today’s Movie

Posted on October 11, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

This or that?

Posted in Politics: US: 2004 Election | Comments Off on Today’s Movie

Bush Sinks to New Low

Posted on October 11, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Who knew they could sink lower?

Forgive me, Prof. Heller, for quoting your entire post on the wonderful Yin blog, but this is just perfectly true:

The Yin Blog: How not to Win a War–During last week’s debate, Bush opined:

I don’t see how you can lead this country in a time of war, in a time of uncertainty, if you change your mind because of politics.

Bush’s target, of course, was Kerry’s alleged “flip-flops” on Iraq. But he might as well have been talking about himself, as this article from the Los Angeles Times indicates:

The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.

Although American commanders in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallouja and Ramadi — where the insurgents’ grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could be the highest — until after Americans vote in what is likely to be an extremely close election.

“When this election’s over, you’ll see us move very vigorously,” said one senior administration official involved in strategic planning, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Once you’re past the election, it changes the political ramifications” of a large-scale offensive, the official said. “We’re not on hold right now. We’re just not as aggressive.”

Any delay in pacifying Iraq’s most troublesome cities, however, could alter the dynamics of a different election — the one in January, when Iraqis are to elect members of a national assembly.

If there was ever any doubt that political expediency is Bush’s most sacred value, this should put those doubts to rest once and for all.

Update: DeLong goes ballistic on this one:

Think about what this means. Think hard. Think very hard.

The generals say we should move now. Moving now gives us the greatest chance of victory at the lowest likely cost. Moving later gives us a lesser chance of victory at a higher cost in terms of our soldiers’ lives. But moving later is helpful to the Bush-Cheney campaign.

Impeach George W. Bush. Impeach Richard Cheney. Impeach them now.

Posted in Politics: US: GW Bush Scandals | 4 Comments