During last week’s Israeli miltary operations in the West Bank, I wrote here frequently of “Good Morning, America’s” coverage of the region — particularly, of the appallingly pro-Palestinian slant the “somber and earnest” Charlie Gibson was giving things (from the safety of a Jerusalem luxury hotel, of course — all the whitefish you can cram into your maw, eh Chuck?) with his silly equivalency arguments and his maudlin drivel about the “cycle of violence.”
Today, in the wake of another suicide bombing attack — this time aimed at an Oppressive Motorized Zionist People Mover (mutherfuckers blew up a commuter bus in Haifa) — I tuned in to GMA to examine what kind of spin Gibson and Co. would give this latest act of terror. Not surprisingly, the story of the bus bombing was reported with no commentary and no accoutrement — no photo essays, no footage of empty, war torn streets or forlorn clothes hanging on abandoned clotheslines, no pictures of Israeli soldiers in full battle gear throwing unarmed Palestinian men to the ground. Nothing.
Instead, ABC decided on a different journalistic tack: A groundbreaking interview with Hollywood legend Sydney Pollack about his storied career in film (as an actor, a director, AND a producer! — a man whose films have garnered an incredible 46 Oscar® nominations!); an extended recreation of the “farewell hug” scene from the series finale of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (Tony Perkins got to play Ted Baxter. Yippeeee!); and some sex tips for frustrated housewives from a couple of frustrated housewives with PhDs in Sex Tip-pery.
Before this morning, had you watched GMA for a week straight you’d have come away with the impression that the Israeli military had all but wiped out the Palestinian population (the bones of Palestinian children being polished up and fashioned into ma-jong tiles) and was poised now to invade Egypt and raze the pyramids — with their designs set squarely on West Hollywood.
Had you watched only this morning’s show, however, you’d have been reminded of Sydney Pollack’s laugh-alicious turn as Dustin Hoffman’s cynical agent in the wonderful Tootsie, and you’d have been reassured by a coupla’ frumpy broads that really, it’s okay to touch yourself (because “sensuality — indeed, sexuality — is a part of life”).
This is the way many Americans get their news. And it matters.
Imagine this, Jeff: Armageddon is at the final battle, and all humanity could be wiped out, yet GMA cuts away from that because Cher’s going to plug her new book, “The Autobiography of My Lips.” The horror, the horror, the horror! I gotta admit, I would probably vote to watch the Cher piece–all that war and destruction stuff is, like, sooo depressing.
Damn straight.
There’s nothing less worthy of coverage than large numbers Israeli civs dying apparently.
Check out <a href=”http://www.mrc.org/news/cyberalert/2002/welcome.html”>http://www.mrc.org/news/cyberalert/2002/welcome.html</a> (you can also get this emailed)
There are normally a few negative instances of GMA and other absurdists there. I personally find it easier to read the executive summary instead of actually sitting through that mind dimming shit.
Sad, D.T. But sadly true.
But chances are, Cher’s lips would support the Palestinian “cause” as well.
No, I think her lips are only supporting the stretched facial skin that has been subjected to 15,975 plastic surgeries. But, damn, Cher can still rock, eh?
Jeff, I don’t agree with most of your analyses of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; however, I commend you for pointing out the lack of serious reporting at torpid media outlets like Good Morning America. They seem to have difficulty reporting the facts, let alone providing any sort of meaningful framework to begin thinking about what these facts mean. Its sad to think people form their opinions based on this sedating drivel. Anyone else you might nominate for the Martha Stewart of news reporting?
I appreciate the candor, Ryan. And I’d be interested to hear where you think I’m going wrong with my analyses of the Israel/Palestine situation (I admit I’m rather hawkish).
Here’re a few others I’ve nominated for the MStewart award here in the past:
<a href=”http://www.creatical.com/weblog/archives/00000556.shtml”>Star Jones</a>
<a href=”http://www.creatical.com/weblog/archives/00000534.shtml”>Christiane Amanpour
<a href=”http://www.creatical.com/weblog/archives/00000533.shtml”>Barbara Walters</a>
I’ve also gone after Bill O’Reilly on a number of occasions—but mostly because he’s big on the hindsight argument, and because he’s often nothing more than a pandering populist.
Sometimes, though, he puts people who need it on the hot seat, so for that I offer him praise.
Ya’ gotta stop losing track of that remote or it’s gonna’ be the death of ya’. One day GMA will come on and ol’ Charlie will start babbling moral equivelance, you’ll stand up to scream at the utter steaming heap o’ idiocy on display, and -*bam* – massive MI and it’s hasta la bye-bye.
Death by GMA? It just ain’t worth it…
Myria
Here’s the thing, Myria: I’m usually in the kitchen (where I keep the ‘puter) reading the morning’s news, and GMA (which my wife insists on watching) is on in the adjacent room.
So you see, I <i>hear</i> things, and these things draw me into the TV room, and then it’s all downhill…