Death and Life of American Journalism

Be Glad Bayh is Gone, Now Progressives Need to Fight!

Lots of news these days... First of all, people should not be so upset that Senator Evan Bayh has decided a reelection bid.  This guy is scum.  Not saying he is a bad man, but he is an obstructionist.  If you have been wondering who to be mad at over health care paralyzation, honestly you ought not blame the Republicans.  Democrats, with a supermajority have not been able to make any of the sweeping reforms that they promised.  That the people elected them to accomplish.  It is because people like Evan Bayh's wife have received millions of dollars from mega-interests like Wellpoint, a giant health insurance company.  These interests certainly expect something in return (i.e. no comprehensive health reform!).  Evan Bayh is not a "centrist" Democrat, he is a corporatist, plain and simple.  Glad to be rid of him.

The downside to his decision, however, could be that someone worse will win the seat.  This is within the realm of possibility, but hopefully Indiana progressives can rally behind a strong candidate.  Of course, the weakness of the progressive movement is a serious problem.  I can only resort to books and articles to recall a time when progressives actually cared enough to act in the streets.  Or at least to have a regular conversation on political matters.  To be informed.  Nowadays, these behaviors are considered taboo.  I know because I experience it on a regular basis.  Americans, particularly kids, are severely distracted by technology and pop culture.  Dangerously so.  We are in the 7th and 9th year of two serious wars, and who could give a damn?  During the Vietnam War college student protesters were shot and teargassed for their opposition.  Sure, we elected Obama, but if there is no substance behind the vote, then where is the change?  If there is no spirit to fight for the most important of causes, to hold Obama and Congress to the fire for health care, climate change, and financial reforms then who would expect them to happen?  Congress is terribly corrupt, so it will take a lot of pushing to get these things done.

The push is stronger than in the Bush years, but still not enough to make critical changes for our society's sake.  We need to wake up.

The Most Important Television Show

Three.  Two.  One.  Time for Real Time!  I'm not so privy to writing about pop culture and t.v., but this is one show you better not miss.  As the Democrats in Washington squirm in their own slimy ineptitude, and us educated folks watch in utter disbelief, Bill Maher prepares to bring us back to Earth with his "so true" wit and intellectually diverse guest panelists.  It is the most important show of our day because it asks the questions that the news will not and cuts deeper than the Daily Show could ever hope.  Plus it makes me laugh.

It is fearless and cunning in its design and execution.  No guest is taboo--watching Ron Paul, George Carlin, Gore Vidal, Joe Scarborough, Mike Gravel, Chris Rock, Christopher Hitchens, Bill Moyers, Larry King, and Ashton Kutcher chat on a panel has never been so much fun!  Maher is an expert at bringing together lefties and righties and all the others in between, cutting past the personalities and ideology so that we may bear witness to an actual conversation about things that matter.  Sure, Bill might be a pot-smoking liberal, but he's smart and doesn't allow the show to disintegrate into partisan hackery.  Indeed, this entertainment show is of greater quality and information than any on FOX, MSNBC, and CNN.

If you have not checked it out, please do so.  For in these times of political and societal insanity, we need someone who can level with us.  To prove that it isn't just you going crazy.  Plus, the show is hilarious.  We all need a good laugh these days.

The new season premieres on HBO Friday, Feb 13 at 10!

This is great: