This Weekend in Torture

Good for John McCain for admitting that the "enhanced interrogation techniques" permitted under the Bush administration are torture. However, as honest as Senator McCain is, the major newspapers (NYT and WashPost) in the country are still hiding the word torture with clever euphemisms.

On Saturday a Washington Post article discussed how the above mentioned techniques produced vital information regarding national security. Yet in discussing this issue the authors of this article describe the torture as "coercive methods." What are these journalist so afraid of that they cannot call torture torture? When discussing the recent riots and protests in Iran you can bet that these newspapers and journalist call the arrest and violent interrogation of protesters torture.

The problem today is that newspapers are no longer controlled by private ownership. They are owned by giant media conglomerates that are publicly traded companies whose ownership is tightly tied to politicians that they are unwilling or afraid to denounce the actions of the bed mates. This business model has destroyed the independence of the editors and journalist to call into questions the action of the government. As Jefferson stated, "were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. -- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Carrington, 1787.

Michael Fletcher at the Newseum

As mention earlier today I went to the Newseum and was able too observe an interview with Michael Fletcher of the Washington Post who is a member of the White House Press Corps. Fletcher appeared very comfortable being interviewee instead of the interviewer, and answered all questions clearly and at length. The majority of questions asked of Fletcher focused on three topics: 1.The press corps relationship with the president 2.the presses access to information in the Obama administration as compared to the Bush administration and 3.how the internet is affecting the reporting of the news.

On the presses relationship with President Obama Fletcher discussed how Obama is rather guarded and refrains from letting the press see him out of what I'll call character. Fletcher did mention that on Obama's first day he attempted to be informal with press corps as in the days of JFK and LBJ, but this fell through quickly. This informal attempt failed because in today's media reporters are competitive; the boys club where problems can be discussed off the record no longer exists.

On the differences between Bush and Obama, Fletcher stated that he believes the Obama White House is more open. For example, Fletcher discussed how the Obama administration wants to know where a story is headed before allowing information to be placed on the record whereas the Bushies would accept or deny the propsal entirely without regards to the endgame; furthermore, under Obama the press is able to interview policy makers, but everything must go through the press office before being released. Interestingly though, Fletcher did mention that Bush would invite members of the press corps into the living area of the White House and talk with them at length; however, as these session where off the record it was difficult to create a report from the information.

On the crisis facing the newspaper industry, Fletcher discussed how the industry needs to create a new business model in order to remain profitable. At some point user will be charged for viewing NYT or WashPost websites it is just a matter of how. When asked, Fetcher commented that it is more important now to be the fastest with the news rather than being the most thorough or well written story. This is unfortunate as facts can be reported wrong. The best example is the Sago Mine tragedy where reports first surfaced that all the miners trapped were alive yet it turned out only one survived. The needed to be first led to false reporting, and unimaginable pain for the families of the miners.

On a final note Fletcher mentioned that being on the White House press corps was a rewarding yet demanding job, and quoted a former member of the corps who said that it is, "the best job to have had." I am sure its a great resume builder.

Newseum

Today I finally spent the twenty dollars to visit the one of the hottest museums in DC the NEWSeum which examines the history of journalism and photojournalism.

Now the museum is a very modern and user friendly museum and the exhibits are fantastic, and on the weekends they bring in professionals related to the journalism field to discuss the news and today was no different as Washington Post reporter Michael Fletcher who covers the White House answered questions for half an hour, but more on this later.

The best exhibits in my opinion happen to be on the Berlin Wall and media coverage of 9/11. The museum main attraction the 4-D movie is extremely short and only gives brief introduction into three reports including Nelie Bly. Yet with pretense of being a museum and having an enormous building there are very few actual exhibits which in my opinion makes the price a little exorbitant for the amount of information presented.

The Newseum is very impressive, but if your not a member I would suggest visiting on a weekend when a journalist is speaking. This information can be found on the Newseum's website.

Because It's a Tarantino Film

First let me start by stating that I have seen Inglorious Bastards and found to be highly enjoyable as I have most Tarantino films. When one sees a Tarantino film one expects to hear sharp dialogue and view violence, and his new endeavor provided both.

In today's cinematic world the stars of the film are usually the drawing point, the director usually doesn't matter. To the average citizen the stars are the biggest drawing point followed closely by the plot and director. However, I think that Tarantino is one of the few directors around who is able to draw precisely because he is the director. The plot needed not matter as a very large percentage of the movie going public will pay to see the film because of Tarantino's name.

There exist very few directors in Hollywood today who can draw people based on their name, and struggle to think of any that attract myself. While I like Ron Howard, Spielberg, and Ritchie, I don't need to go to the theater to see their latest films as I am perfectly capable of waiting for them to be released on DVD. Tarantino is the only director whose films I need to see in theater, and for the director to be a draw to the film as much as the actors today is very impressive.

More on Fairlie

Yesterday I mentioned that I was reading the post humorous work of Henry Fairlie, "Bite the Hand that Feeds You," and today I want to comment on some of his insight into the Reagan conservatism.

Firstly on Reagan Fairlie stated, "The Reaganite conservative does not trust the political system, and so is always trying to circumvent it; he does not trust the instincts Congress, but places profound faith in the wisdom of the executive if he is in charge. . ." I find this statement to highly pertinent in today's political arena especially in describing the modern Republican party. All candidates running for the Republican nomination are required to state their opinions on Reagan, all of which are glowing, because Reaganite conservatism has shown politicians how to turn the government into a dictatorship. The proof being the recent President Bush.

With the simple act of a an Executive Order the president is able to circumvent Congress, and by citing established, prevent possible interference by the Supreme Court. President Bush, an acknowledge Reagan disciple, issued more executive orders than any president and history, and used this power to begin the invasion of another nation. This power allows the president to start wars without the consent of Congress which is elected by the people. Yes the president is commander in chief, but this title is only needed in wartime once war has been declared.

I want to clarify that I believe that Reagan was a good president. He was able to free hostages in Iran, presided over and economically successful nation, and bankrupted the Soviet Union; however, the policies developed and employed by him were misused under Bush II as is highly evident by the legalization of torture under his administration.

St. John's College

Today while I was working hard at the library, I read an article in the Washington Post about liberal arts colleges with the report focusing on St. John's College in Annapolis. Lets just say that the colleges curriculum intrigued my interest; this was the first time I had heard of the college or the idea of a Great Books List

As a student of the humanities, I at first found the idea rather radical compared to what culture dictates as a well rounded college education. I found myself rather jealous of new students there and debates and arguments they would participate in, but as I stewed over the schools curriculum, I have come to conclusion that having a set curriculum is a disservice to the students.

Studying the classics, while important would come to be rather dull and boring. I understand that comprehending these works is a challenge, but a traditional college or university you are able to take classics classes that examine the same works. I know because I took a classics class. At a traditional institute one is also able to take lab sciences, mathematics, and philosophy with the caveat that the variety of courses is much larger allowing one study what they want. While St. John's has prestige and a challenging curriculum, I find that I would miss the ability to chose my classes. There numerous philosophy, history, and English courses available and a traditional institution allows one to choose a German history class over Imperial Russian history or British literature over Japanese literature. The American culture has instilled in me a desire for choices which is why I think that in long run I would not have succeeded with a set curriculum, but power to all of those attend St. John's and succeed. I am still somewhat jealous.

Toby Kieth's American Ride

I am music fan and have rather eclectic tastes as I enjoy all types of music. Country music is one of my favorite genres with Brad Paisley, who is from a little town about twenty minutes from my home, being the most talented. Anyways today on my way into work I heard Toby Kieth's new single American Ride, and I must say that I am not to sure what to think of this song.

Is this song a critique of American culture? A tirade against current US domestic policies? A praise of the spontaneity and freedom of living American? It appears to be all of these which makes the song ambiguous as what he really trying to say about life in American at this time.

However, even with this ambiguity Kieth appears to be saying that culture may be affecting our lives negatively, that the current political administration may not be running the nation to his likes, but that no matter what your opinions are or how your feel about politics and culture that life in American is one fun helluva a ride.

Torture

The release of documents this week by the government reveal in greater detail the torture methods permitted by the Bush Administration, and it is deplorable. The United States is histories greatest nation and from its founding has been held to a higher standard; we are the "City on the Hill." The actions permitted under Bush and Cheney are illegal and in violation of human rights. The West won the Cold War by depicting the the Soviet Unions failure on human rights, and now we violated that and lost our moral authority. I do not know if the United States will ever regain our moral standing after the release of these documents, but we can begin to make amends by prosecuting those responsible. Not necessarily those who carried out the orders, though they should have checked their own moral compass, but policy makers and lawyers who manipulated words in order to permit torture (you cannot hide torture behind the term enhanced interrogation techniques.)

Andrew Sullivan wrote a scathing rant that I mostly agree with. Here is the money quote for me

"This is what Bush and Cheney truly achieved in their tragic response to 9/11: two terribly failed, brutally expensive wars, the revival of sectarian warfare and genocide in the Middle East, the end of America's global moral authority, the empowerment of Iran's and North Korea's dictatorships, and the nightmares of Gitmo and Bagram still haunting the new administration.

But what they did to the culture - how they systematically dismantled core American values like the prohibition on torture and respect for the rule of law - is the worst and most enduring of the legacies."

To read the entire post click here.

Henry Fairlie and Ted Kennedy

Even though school is about to begin again next week, I am chest deep in several books that I am scurrying to finish; however, I just began today reading "Bite the Hand That Feeds You" a collection of Henry Fairlie's work and was struck by several quotes, but this is by far my favorite:

"however jaded we may sometimes feel when we watch the operations of politics, it is impossible in the end not to admire the at once sublime and ridiculous process by which we free men contrive to govern themselves."

For me, this holds special precedence in today's political climate as I watch the debates of health care and the outrage of the demos at the town hall meetings. Most people and politicians believe that every American citizen should have access to health care, but unfortunately we are unable to reach a consensus which has created a political circus. Yet, some type of health care bill will be passed, but the strength of this bill is what is really being debated.

I would also like to remark on the passing of Edward "Ted" Kennedy. While I am just now developing my own political identity and have no real recollections of Kennedy's service, I sill feel a sense of loss as the country losses one of its great statesmen. I may not have agreed with Mr. Kennedy or his policies; however, the clashing of ideology and the compromises that arise from them create the most solid and lasting legislation, and the loss of a great political leader leaves one party somewhat weakened.

Senator Byrd, who represents my home state, is also facing his death and his death will mark the end of political era in my opinion. The above photo shows John and Ted campaigning WV and so this post will end with a quote by Mr. Kennedy that he said about my state:

"'These hills, these people, and this state have had a very special meaning for my family. Our lives have been tightly intertwined with yours."

Adams Morgan - A Poem

Tentatively, and hopefully,
I step upon the next rung of the ladder.
Yet this step, this hope,
was taken prematurely.
In a blink the air escapes my lungs
as the grass rushes up to meet me.
It was a slip I’ve slipped a hundred times,
but the shock still leaves you breathless, hurt, and angry
as it always does, and as it always will.
Laying flat on back, staring up at my ladder;
The numbness entombs me while anger consumes me.

I suck in a deep breath
With all its poisons, with all its life.
I blink away the stinging tears in my eyes,
And I check my bleeding heart.
It doesn’t appear it will fall completely apart.
Delicately, stitch this bleeding heart,
and lock away my memories of you
with others who knocked me from the heights before.
Slowly and timidly I again rise to my feet,
stare up the endless sky,
tentatively, and hopefully,
I step upon the first rung of the ladder.