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Sunday seems as good a time as any for another rant about media and the news. Like anyone else who struggles to keep up with what is going on in the world I have my routine. As much as it bothered me Google News was one stop regularly checked for a cross-section of stories from the MSM. Could they leave it alone. Of course not for as useless as it was to begin with they decided to make it worse.

I stopped relying on Google as a search engine with the advent of Ixquick. Seems we should spread the traffic around and while Ixquick is not perfect it is a reasonable alternative and may get better if we use it and submit suggestions for improvements.

This was another day in an effort to alter my news scanning routine. And it was the cause of another lament on the state of media or MSM and content. A roll of the dice so to speak selected USA Today as the first stop. Without a one stop aggregation of news to view from around the planet I was trying a few quick hits for headlines, etc.

Gannett, the owner of USA Today and too many other print sources allows their navigation bar on the main page to highlight part of what is wrong. While the top navbar features general categories of topics like news, travel and money the second navbar suggests what is ‘essential’.

Markets, scores, games, lotteries, video, photos, opinion, blogs, subscribe, classifieds and jobs make the list. After ‘markets’ which seems to indicate business information the rest is not essential nor necessarily worthwhile.

Hey, I have nothing against Chelsea Clinton and I hope she and her husband have a wonderful life. I honestly mean that. But when Chelsea is the obvious big splash on a typical MSM front page and the most popular reads for the USA fishwrap feature three stories about Chelsea and one about the disfunctional Jersey Shore television series something comes to mind. Actually many things come to mind but here’s the second one. (The first was who reads the MSM and why?)

87% Feel Media Covers Celebrities Too Much

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Americans feel the media pays too much attention to celebrities, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But 84% of Adults also admit that Americans pay too much attention to celebrity news and not enough attention to news that has real impact on their lives.

Just one percent (1%) do not think media outlets cover celebs enough, while nine percent (9%) say the coverage is about right.

That may explain why traditional media sources are failing. The one and nine percent figures above may reflect the number of people attracted to the trash most media outlets publish or broadcast.

BTW, the rest of USA Today’s front page was populated with other useless or redundant coverage on items that are common knowledge. And of course they offered unwavering support with their coverage of things Obama and liberal.

Fortunately I can get along with the critical content of my routine. The trustworthy sources I use for the bulk of what is important do not fail me. But trying to cover it all and make judgments about decisions to be made is still a challenge and too time consuming.

Too bad so many in the media world refuse to address this simple problem. But then that is not what most of them are about. If their biz model of catering to the lowest common denominator and filling that demand with cheap stories to present is no longer a golden goose you might expect they would change. Or maybe they’re just waiting for their bailout from the Obamanation.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The de Rothschild’s fortune may be a publicly unknown quantity but theories abound on its size. It has been estimated by some as in the trillions and some accounts place it in the hundreds of millions when at first the dynasty was born.

David de Rothschild may not be your typical or average limousine liberal. With the size of the family fortune a whole new label may be required. But what de Rothschild shares in common with the long car lefties is an affection for anthropogenic global warming.

Why is it that well-heeled individuals take a Hollywood approach when telling the rest of us how to live? Is it possible that those who shoulder the burden of living with massive fortunes the rest of us can only dream about have no clue? It would make more sense if those short on targets for their fortunes invested in practical solutions to the issues they embrace.

But that would illuminate the real story. It is not about AGW or any real issue. It’s about them and their personal interests.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

from VOA News….

A British adventurer is spreading his own message in a bottle by crossing the Pacific Ocean aboard an 18-meter catamaran made of thousands of plastic soda bottles.

David de Rothschild’s unusual boat is his way of drawing attention to the plastic polluting the world’s oceans while also showcasing a solution. The 31 year old hopes to inspire followers with the boat he calls the “Plastiki.”

Global mission

“We’re on a mission to beat waste,” says de Rothschild. “The Plastiki project is really trying to showcase that waste is inefficient design and that we can reuse everyday materials and rather than them ending up in landfill, or in our oceans, or being incinerated and ending up in our atmosphere, we can repurpose and build items that can be reused so we can close the loop.”

After reading a United Nations report about the huge swirls of plastic trash in the oceans, the British banking heir thought up the expedition to draw attention to the problem.

The name Plastiki echoes the Kon-Tiki, the raft that Norwegian anthropologist and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl built to cross the Pacific in 1947.

His grandson, Olaf Heyerdahl, was one of six crew members on the first leg of the Plastiki voyage, from San Francisco to Christmas Island.

More heartwarming enlightenment from the NYT fishwrap about global warming scam artist Al Gore hits your news stand. Okay, the byline is from AP.

Gore Was Accused of Sexual Advances

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A massage therapist accused former Vice President Al Gore of “unwanted sexual contact” at a hotel in October 2006, but no charges were filed because of lack of evidence, law officials said Wednesday.

Okay, it’s in the NYT.  It is credited to AP.  But imagine this, the National Enquirer published the report on Wednesday. Hey, the tabloid lost some of its sleaze factor in recent years for breaking, I dunno, real news stories.  So who knows?

That’s right folks, even a massage therapist has the right to decline advances from a sleazy scam artist.  Way to go, Al. And how many carbon credits did you require for this misadventure?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Just a little note on da big futbol event this year. Those who hope to have soccer become as pppular in the US as it is elsewhere were given a leg up this week. It seems World Cup Soccer shares at least one characteristic with American sports… controversial calls by game officials.

The Americans frantically charged back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime and seemed to go ahead, 3-2, in the 86th minute on a goal that was nullified by a controversial and unexplained foul call from the referee, Koman Coulibaly of Mali.

It is axiomatic to state a given in athletic competition and the use of scoring to determine the winner. You must be ahead of your opponent by a score capable of rendering bad calls inconsequential.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Nothin’ like throwin’ a little mud on the liberals. For all the years of adoration toward the Kennedy administration, Camelot and the popular fascination with such American icons one thing seems certain. No matter how good some works are in politics there always seems to be a downside. That which can cause one to shake their head in disappointment.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Kennedy orgies in romper room
FBI’s XXX files on John, Bobby & Ted

The file on the mob plot began with the informant’s disclosures to the FBI’s Milwaukee office. The FBI added an unsigned statement that said a multimillionaire Manhattan divorcée knew about the orgies.

“It was reported that Mrs. Jacqueline Hammond, age 40, has considerable information concerning sex parties,” the statement said.

Among those who took part were John, Robert and Ted Kennedy, Monroe, Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lawford and his wife, Patricia Kennedy, it said.

The statement indicated Hammond, who was divorced from a US ambassador, was credible.

It was widely reported in the early 1960s that John Kennedy kept a two-bedroom apartment at The Carlyle, and it was later claimed that he spent the night there with Monroe after she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at his 45th-birthday celebration.

Liberals in public office and elsewhere are willing and eager to punish BP for the oil spill. They are equally excited about bashing President Bush for everything they do not like. They always love to raise taxes especially for the wealthy but that doesn’t stop them from doing it to the rest of us. And certainly nothing would please them more than to cripple the recovery by making Wall Street villain of the year as their version of trickle down economics cripples Main Street as well.

So why do we never hear about liberals wanting to cap teachers salaries as they would do to all CEOs? Why don’t we hear about professors being held to the same standard of villain for getting in bed with special interest in a quid pro quo involving research? If TAs do most of the teaching why do professors command the salaries and perks they do? You can add the salaries of many others connected to education programs when asking that question.

Let’s not overlook school budgets, sports programs and coaching salaries either. Liberals cry foul that education is too expensive while athletic departments are like prostitutes for professional sports. Just like the sleazy relationships between professors and special interest funding for research the ADs as well as coaches, professional sports interests and athletic programs do little for the institutions they represent.

The current story about ‘realignment’ in college sports is a case in point. And go figure, Barry Switzer is central to making the point about college sports being sleazy.

Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, a coaching rival of Osborne’s in the 1970s and ’80s and longtime friend, said hearing Nebraska and the Big Ten in the same sentence doesn’t sound right.

Switzer told The Associated Press he doesn’t envy Osborne having to play a major role in the possible destruction of the Big 12, which evolved from the old Big Eight and Southwest Conference.

“I’m sure it weighs heavily on Tom,” Switzer said. “I hate to think we would lose what we have and what we built for so long. Finances are a factor, and sometimes you have to give up tradition for finances.”

McClurg said the Big 12 has been a good fit for Nebraska but the Big Ten, if it extends an invitation, could be better. It would greatly expand the school’s reach and could mean far more money for the school’s athletic programs.

“We have to seriously evaluate any opportunity that comes our way,” McClurg said, “because everybody else is doing that.”

Isn’t that special. ‘Everybody else is doing that.’ Wisdom coming from a venue of higher learning. Switzer says, ’sometimes you have to give up tradition for finances.’

American taxpayers are constantly presented with soaring expenses for education programs. And American education continues to decline when compared to other nations. There is a theory that liberals, you know, the educated elite from Ivy League diploma mills, favor dumbing down the public to enable their socialist agenda.

So crack open that beer. Remain on the couch until that next collega game is on the TV. While you’re waiting consider this.

Your interest in watching may be driven by tradition. But that’s not what drives college sports any longer. Another piece of Americana is slipping away. Let’s stop that. Refuse to be dumbed down and take a stand. Or simply crack open another beer and ignore this minor rant.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A press release dated May 6 from Comedy Central network describes their 2010-2011 development slate.

Puppet cops, 80’s hair bands, Jesus Christ, a modern day take on “The Odd Couple,” race relations, office politics in Deep Space and a live sex show. These ideas and many, many more make up COMEDY CENTRAL’s 2010-2011 development slate announced today by Kent Alterman, head of original programming and production, COMEDY CENTRAL.

Described below is one of the projects.

“JC”

A half-hour animated show about JC (Jesus Christ) wanting to escape his father’s enormous shadow and to live life in NYC as a regular guy. A lot has changed in 2000 years and he is the ultimate fish out of water. Meanwhile his all-powerful yet apathetic father would rather be playing video games than listening to JC recount his life in the city. JC is a playful take on religion and society with a sprinkle of dumb. Executive produced by Reveille (”The Office”), Henrik Basin, Brian Boyle (”American Dad”), Jonathan Sjoberg and Andreas Ohman.

So far, news of this one particular program has resulted in this.

Comedy Central chided for proposed Jesus cartoon
AP Thu Jun 3, 6:46 pm ET

NEW YORK – A coalition of religious and conservative leaders is trying to stop a proposed Comedy Central cartoon that puts Jesus Christ in a modern-day context — before it even gets started.

The newly formed Citizens Against Religious Bigotry said Thursday that it believes the “JC” series would be offensive. They accuse Comedy Central of a double standard in mocking Christian figures and beliefs while recently refusing to let “South Park” depict the Prophet Muhammad for fear of offending Muslims.

The second paragraph above certainly appears to be a fair criticism.

Like it or not, if you believe in freedom of speech and expression you will not always be in agreement with the speech or expressions of others. At any point in time the restriction or expansion of freedom is an endless process. The difficulty in preserving freedom and liberty will always generate disagreement. How we deal with that will determine whether or not we remain free.

The view from this blog finds a more troubling concept than Comedy Central’s contrast in positions with regard to Christians and Muslims. That concept is hate speech and the development of criminal penalties for someone’s idea of what that is. There’s a slippery slope.

Here’s something worse than the slippery slope.

Groups want FCC to police hate speech on talk radio, cable news networks
06/01/10

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is being urged to monitor “hate speech” on talk radio and cable broadcast networks.

A coalition of more than 30 organizations argue in a letter to the FCC that the Internet has made it harder for the public to separate the facts from bigotry masquerading as news.

The groups also charge that syndicated radio and cable television programs “masquerading as news” use hate as a profit model.

Liberals have frequently referred to President George W Bush as a Nazi yet contend that ’syndicated radio and cable television programs’…. ‘use hate’.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted at Maggie’s Notebook

The only transparency available from liberals is demonstrated by their politically correct choices as determined by their adoption of 7th century theocracy into their nanny state agenda. As long as they are bowing to Arab leaders and coddling Muslim terrorists (pardon the redundancy) might as well invade pop culture with politics.

Arab-American Crowned Miss USA
VOA News

Arab-American won the title of Miss USA in the annual beauty pageant held Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Rima Fakih, a Lebanese immigrant, won the pageant after swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.

During the competition, she nearly fell while walking in her gown, but she made it without a spill and went on to beat out contestants from all of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Fakih, who moved to the United States as a baby, is believed to be the first Arab-American and Muslim to hold the title of Miss USA.

She told pageant organizers that her family celebrates both Catholic and Muslim holidays.

Fakih represented the state of Michigan. According to pageant officials, she is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. After completing her reign as Miss USA, Fakih plans to attend law school.

The Miss USA pageant is not affiliated with the annual Miss America pageant.

Now for the news you don’t get via most of the MSM on this topic.

A gaffetastic new Miss USA

“I believe that birth control is just like every other medication even though it’s a controlled substance,” Fakih said.

An Econ graduate of the University of Michigan heading for law school offers that quote? Do you now understand the problem of education in the United States? It gets better. But you will have to self-serve the due diligence to uncover the rest.

Given the political landscape both in the United States and around the planet how convenient was it to have Rima Fakih selected as Miss USA? (not to mention, political)

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

One has to turn attention to matters other than public affairs, politics or current events these days simply to maintain sanity. Conditions in the economy as well as legislative and policy decisions being considered at all levels of government take a toll on mere mortals. A little diversion from time to time provides some needed respite.

So another story that has been languishing in the bookmark file is released here on its own recognizance. Whether your preferences lean toward history or science or stories of adventure this recent (02/05/2010) report contains a little something for just about anyone.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) – Five crates of whisky and brandy belonging to polar explorer Ernest Shackleton have been recovered after being buried for more than 100 years under the Antarctic ice, explorers said Friday.

If you have ever been in a liquor store and observed prices of aged whiskey or other such products as compared to the uncivilized offerings you may have uttered the word ‘ouch.’ And if you indulge in a libation from time to time you may not find the superior product worth the superior price. But it’s hard to argue the more expensive alternative is not impressive.

Rather than the typical 12 or 21 year old examples how about 100 year old whiskey? If nothing else you should be curious about how it would taste after all that time. But then, being buried in polar ice is probably not the best way to store it. As the article states those involved believe they can extract the recipe for these liquors that have since been lost but no date has been set for sampling the find.

Which raises the obvious question as to why Shackletons’ expedition chose to transport five cases of liquor on a voyage that may otherwise be looking for ways to shed weight? C’mon, at one point during the voyage the crew had not stepped foot on solid ground for 497 days. So they shouldn’t tip one now and then? JUst like this post one has to have a diversion from time to time. And of course there’s always the excuse it was for medicinal purposes.

You may want to watch the news for an announcement of a new product based on the previously lost recipe for this historic beverage(s). You know someone must be thinking about it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A billboard getting some attention was erected at the direction of some as yet unknown sponsors. There’s nothing like a little humor for this troubling political climate. And yes, this blogger laments the departure of Bush 43. Certainly not perfect but a preferred option over current conditions. And like most, the author of this brief post is anxiously awaiting November 2010. After that it will be anxiously awaiting November 2012.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

How’s this for a sexy teaser?

OMG! ‘Gossip Girl’ star Blake Lively flaunts her assets with a plunging neckline on the red carpet

A successful stint on what appears to be a popular television program. A girl whose appearance is visually pleasing. Or put another way, yes, this qualifies as eye candy. OMG, sex, exploitation, perhaps a political agenda and the masses will rebel. NOT

No need to discuss all the possibilities for debate on what is presented here. Just ignore the natural inclination to weigh in and enjoy the view.

Speaking of views provides a handy transition to the next related item. OMG, controversy over one person’s, correction, two persons’ decision to make a statement about a topic apparently important to them. The piece below is spot on in its analysis.

Tim Tebow chose to take a stand about his beliefs.

It’s certainly his right. He and his mother, Pam, are scheduled to star in a Super Bowl commercial next Sunday night that advocates an anti-abortion message. It has created a firestorm among special-interest groups believing that the national communal experience that has become Super Sunday should be independent of political infiltration.

Those who disagree with their position can choose to take their television remote in hand when the ad appears on CBS and change the channel.

And finally let’s consider a story from a member of the Palin family that is not an attack piece from the MSM or lefty blogosphere.

Bristol Palin vows no more pre-marital sex - and says other women should follow her lead

Here’s a kid dealing with accepting consequences for her decisions. As they say, she chose life. And even with a great deal of support from family and friends that is no easy path. Some may continue to criticize, attack and bash the Palin’s including Bristol. But her ‘goal’ is not something to diss. In addition to what she faces for years to come, if using the media attraction to promote responsible living also comes from it she should get applause not criticism.

So that about wraps up this presentation of three sex stories. A story about an attractive young woman and her apparel which may seem tame these days. A young man and his Mom taking a stand on what they believe at some personal risk. And another attractive young woman dealing with the reality of life’s serious consequences. All of them deal with sex in some way. A topic that can use both serious and light-hearted attention. But one that we must give proper consideration to avoid serious damage and unnecessary setbacks.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Since Obama pledged a zero tolerance policy toward invasive species in the Great Lakes, Cox said the president has left the door to the lakes wide open, potentially hurting Michigan jobs and the economy. “His indifference is stunning,” Cox said.

A crisis the Obama administration is letting go to waste much to the chagrin of other liberals like Governor Granholm in the third world state of Michigan.  Maybe Rahmbo ‘deadfish’ Emanuel should be the point man on the carp crisis. Invasive species are a problem but they may also be an example of larger problems in the US.  POLS and public officials appear to be clueless on how to handle problem solving.  The recurring theme is the nanny state mantra demanding someone else make the problem go away.

Yo, Governor Granholm, besides destroying your state’s economy was there no way you could solve your fish problem before this?  What did you do to address the problem before this news item put it out there for all to read?

Gee, maybe anthropogenic global warming is not the biggest eco problem for liberals.  Perhaps it comes in the form of a big fish that eats a lot.  The growth of government, spending and deficits does not appear to have been the great problem solving tool liberals suggest.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Battle of the network late TV hosts was caused by the network, one network, NBC. And scandal ridden David Letterman is not involved. It seems the whole thing was started by affiliate gripes about NBC’s time slot arrangement as indicated below.

Feeling pressure from affiliates, who have been griping for months about how Leno’s 10 p.m performance is hurting their late news and bottom line, NBC is scrambling to put together a strategy to appease them and keep Leno on the payroll.

Now it seems Conan O’Brien will jump ship over the situation.

“For 60 years, The Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news,” O’Brien said. “I sincerely believe that delaying The Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t The Tonight Show.”

The part O’Brien omits from the excerpt above and possibly any statement he has made is how the ‘franchise’ was built with the likes of Paar and Carson. That was the Tonight Show. This is not.

The opinion that no one will care about is offered here. In reverse order, O’Brien may be a capable TV host but nothing about his version of the show lives up to the history of it. Jay Leno is also quite capable. And he’s more likeable than O’Brien. While he maintained some aspects of the ‘franchise’ it appeared he had a tendency to inject a bathroom humor style of jokes as his episode progressed.

Steve Allen was first. Carson was King. Allen was impeccable and a ground breaker as were Paar and Carson. The same cannot be said of what followed. Putting Leno and O’Brien back where they were would probably be a good idea but won’t likely happen.

Let it die just like NBC has done with anything they touched over a number of years.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

For a sports fan born and raised in northeast Wisconsin a special event took place this week. The University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Phoenix Men’s Basketball team (Horizon League) defeated their counterpart from the Big Ten, the Wisconsin Badgers. You can read the rest of the story at the link below.

Phoenix Drops Badgers, 88-84, in Overtime Thriller

Bryquis Perine (Milwaukee, Wis.) scored a career-high 22 points as Green Bay beat Wisconsin (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) 88-84 in overtime on Wednesday night in front of a sellout crowd at the Resch Center. It was the second straight victory against a top-25 team (No. 11 Butler on Feb. 2, 2009) for the Phoenix and just the fourth ever for the Green Bay program.

It is interesting that in the past one had to attend a Phoenix game to watch one. It is reasonable to state former coach Dick Bennett put the Phoenix on the map. During those years it was difficult to acquire tickets as they sold out regularly. On the flip side, one could view the Badgers on public TV until the inception of the Big Ten network. Unless you are amenable to the purchase of cable TV or satellite offerings your viewing options in this regard are limited.

This week’s victory by the Phoenix over the Badgers presents something of a payback beyond the local loyalty involved. Am I a Badger fan, yes.. Am I a Phoenix fan, absolutely!! Has my loyalty to the Badgers suffered from the greed of top tier college sports, yes. Has my loyalty to the Phoenix been bolstered, yes. And is all this angst trivial? No!!! Why?

It is again reminiscent of a program from HBO in years past entitled ‘ When It Was a Game.’ The title suggests what is important. Similar to ‘Field of Dreams.’ the sentiment is the same. There is a fundamental attribute to the competition of sports that engages the best of human qualities. Participants in the game itself aspire to reach their highest potential. The sense of community is reinforced for spectators who naturally support the local favorite. Positive outcomes are promoted by this activity. To render it a mere entertainment commodity through commercial deals destroys its purity.

The point here is this. At one time the Badgers were minus the serious contender status for men’s college basketball. No one watched then. When they became a contender one could watch their games on broadcast television. After being a contender for a time along with the rest of the Big Ten the money boys moved them to what is essentially pay TV.

The Phoenix have followed a similar trend but the time line lags. Once unattractive, later elevated and for some time on local broadcast. Will the Horizon League at some time go the way of the Big Ten and others. Just like professional sports will everything move to pay-per-view? And does it somehow diminish the best of what sports has to offer?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

update to the broader theme of this post….

An interference call for college football by George F Will