2 More Cents

On the Ward Churchill issue. Then I'll drop it. I swear.

We don't have to like or agree with Churchill's comments or essay, but I think we should all recognize the severity of the threat posed to the right of freedom of expression, especially on campus and by academicians, that the right wing's babble machine is mustering over this issue, as they attempt to further suppress dissent towards the current gang of thugs regime hanging out in the WH and Congress and their attempts to force the rest of us to conform--at least outwardly--to their idealized vision of an innocent, glorious America, that can broker no questioning, criticism or demands for accountability.

This militant, hyper-nationalism on the part of the rightwing is the scarriest aspect of the changes during the past decade in American politics. And as I attempted to point out in an earlier post, it is highly ironic and Orwellian to the nth degree that wingnut ideology demands the framing of issues as being choices between "right and wrong", yet refuses to consider the moral implications of its arrogant and abusive policies, both domestic and foreign, and responds angrily and vindictively when it is challenged to do so.

An aside: I recently came across the minutes from the meeting in which former Florida congressman turned cable TV screecher Joe Scarborough pitched his idea of a new shoutfest show to MSNBC executives. Let's listen in.

MSNBC executive: So, Joe, what's this idea for a show you wanted to talk to us about?

Scarborough: It's a show about nothin'.

MSNBC executive: A show about nothin'? What does that mean?

Scarborough: I mean it's a show about nothin'.

MSNBC executive: what happens on the show? what would you talk about?

Scarborough: Nothin'.

MSNBC executive: than why am I watching the show?

Scarborough: because it's on TV.

MSNBC executive: not yet....

Scarborough: listen, this is the show, and I'm not changin' it. Now if you just want to go ahead and keep doing the same old thing that everybody else is doing, then go ahead. But I refuse to sacrifice my artistic integrity....

MSNBC executive: a show about nothin', huh?

Scarborough: that's right.

MSNBC executive: I think you may have something here.


Next: Bill O'Reilly, Shepherd Smith, and Cal Thomas pitch their ideas for shows to Roger Ailes (the bad one).