Every year like clockwork, when the calendar shifts into the final phases of each season, Mother Nature almost always seems to deliver one last blast of whatever the current season happens to be.
That season is currently winter, and in the case of our Nebraska staffers, we've had more than enough of it. With several inches of new snow, and plenty of old snow still around, as well as ice underneath much of that white pile, winter doesn't look to be leaving anytime soon. Although we know we've had this feeling before, our comments today have little to do with the calendar.
Like the groundhog that doesn't see its shadow, there are some in politics and the media who seem ready to jump to what they would like the next phase of a particular story to be - even if the facts simply don't agree with their hypothesis.
We've been seeing that a lot lately.
In Egypt, following President Hosni Mubarak's non-resignation resignation speech late Tuesday afternoon, we had to ask others in the media, and even some Middle East experts: does he actually think the Egyptian people will allow him to stick around until September? Hasn't he seen the massive protests? Doesn't he get the message?
In a similar way, even though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has now agreed to schedule a vote on the far-right wing Republican idea of eliminating the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, we're certain the vote won't make any difference. As we and a whole host of others have said before, the President of the United States won't veto his own signature bill.
For those in the conservative media who keep crowing about recent legal decisions against the health care insurance reform law as though they had won some great battle, again, we're unsure of why. So far, there have been an equal number of decisions upholding the law, as well as against it, even if the media haven't covered them equally. As more than one constitutional expert has said, the constitutionality of the law will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court anyway, specifically, by Justice Kennedy.
We understand that folks would like to jump to the conclusion of uncomfortable situations. It's a natural reaction to want to get things settled that disturb us.
Just like the seasons, however, the reality is that neither life nor nature work on time schedules that are designed for our comfort and convenience.
Sure, it might be easier if major life events were decided by a furry rodent - especially if it's one that is already stuffed and mounted like Nebraska's Unadilla Bill.
As we've all discovered, though, year after year, season after season, life simply doesn't work that way.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Light At The End Of Tunnel…
As we mentioned yesterday, and as you would expect, even while a record winter storm sweeps across the U.S., we've been keeping our eyes on the unfolding drama in Egypt.
A whole host of questions still remain, for both people outside of Egypt, as well as those within the country.
Definitive leadership has yet to emerge, contrary to what might be heard in much of the generic media coverage. Volunteers of all kinds seem to be doing everything they can to help out, including protecting a children's hospital.
There are reports that claim Egyptians have a growing hatred for Americans, but more accurate polling statistics show Americans now are viewed more favorably in that region than they have been in several years.
To say information coming out of Egypt is confusing is an understatement.
After speaking with several experts on Egypt and the Middle East yesterday, there are a few things we've learned from those who are more knowledgeable than we are about Egypt. They all seemed to have some solid - albeit vague - answers, and seemed to have a generally similar forecast about Egypt's immediate future.
Egypt's recent ruling regime has been oppressive for most of its existence. Technically, the country has lived under martial law for most of the last 30 years. According to experts we queried, that situation is likely at an end.
Over the last decade, Egyptians have been exposed to the internet, social networking, and to greater media freedoms. Those fundamental changes are likely to remain - especially after so many from around the world have worked so hard to help keep those lines of communication open.
Because America has given so much foreign aid to Egypt, and continues to do so now, we will be expected to continue rendering that support at current levels - almost regardless of who takes charge, or what kind of government Egyptians decide to choose for themselves. Like it or not, that seems to be the general consensus.
There is another consensus, however.
Even with all of the conflicting reports and stories, and somewhat vague certainties, the experts we spoke with seemed to have a generally positive attitude about what has been happening - and continues to go on - in Egypt. Many Egypt-watchers agree, as with any revolution, there is always the chance things could turn ugly. Most of those we spoke with, however, don't believe the revolt will turn permanently dark.
No one is saying things are easy in Egypt right now. They're not. The most pessimistic are still saying the political light that some are seeing at the end of the proverbial tunnel could prove to be a train wreck for a new regime. Our money is on the optimists.
It may be possible that Egyptians have finally unlocked the key to a more democratic future.
We hope that's the case - for them and for the rest of the world as well.
A whole host of questions still remain, for both people outside of Egypt, as well as those within the country.
Definitive leadership has yet to emerge, contrary to what might be heard in much of the generic media coverage. Volunteers of all kinds seem to be doing everything they can to help out, including protecting a children's hospital.
There are reports that claim Egyptians have a growing hatred for Americans, but more accurate polling statistics show Americans now are viewed more favorably in that region than they have been in several years.
To say information coming out of Egypt is confusing is an understatement.
After speaking with several experts on Egypt and the Middle East yesterday, there are a few things we've learned from those who are more knowledgeable than we are about Egypt. They all seemed to have some solid - albeit vague - answers, and seemed to have a generally similar forecast about Egypt's immediate future.
Egypt's recent ruling regime has been oppressive for most of its existence. Technically, the country has lived under martial law for most of the last 30 years. According to experts we queried, that situation is likely at an end.
Over the last decade, Egyptians have been exposed to the internet, social networking, and to greater media freedoms. Those fundamental changes are likely to remain - especially after so many from around the world have worked so hard to help keep those lines of communication open.
Because America has given so much foreign aid to Egypt, and continues to do so now, we will be expected to continue rendering that support at current levels - almost regardless of who takes charge, or what kind of government Egyptians decide to choose for themselves. Like it or not, that seems to be the general consensus.
There is another consensus, however.
Even with all of the conflicting reports and stories, and somewhat vague certainties, the experts we spoke with seemed to have a generally positive attitude about what has been happening - and continues to go on - in Egypt. Many Egypt-watchers agree, as with any revolution, there is always the chance things could turn ugly. Most of those we spoke with, however, don't believe the revolt will turn permanently dark.
No one is saying things are easy in Egypt right now. They're not. The most pessimistic are still saying the political light that some are seeing at the end of the proverbial tunnel could prove to be a train wreck for a new regime. Our money is on the optimists.
It may be possible that Egyptians have finally unlocked the key to a more democratic future.
We hope that's the case - for them and for the rest of the world as well.
Monday, January 31, 2011
What You Missed About The Peacock Changing Its Feathers
There may be those who criticize us today for not exclusively focusing on Egypt and the turmoil occurring over there.
Our long-term readers are well aware that we have our eyes and ears on what's going on over there, and we continue to monitor any news coming out of that part of the world. Every media organization worth its salt is paying attention to the full depth of events there, and we're no exception. You'll find a full list of related stories in our news links section today that will give you a good look at what's happening in Egypt.
One of the more important things that has already occurred in that ancient nation on the Nile has a strange connection to an event that just finished happening in the U.S. over the weekend.
In case you missed our linked stories on Friday, the Egyptian government shut down internet access for most of its people at the end of last week. It was a display of government control over the internet that no other country in the world has exhibited - not even China, Iran, or North Korea. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak used what's been termed an "internet kill switch" thanks in large part to its connection with a small number of media corporations, including some that control both Egyptian content AND delivery.
That's just like the new owners in the United States of NBC Universal, Comcast.
The idea that a small number of corporations - and even more accurately, a small number of executives in those corporations - could choke off access to some First Amendment rights for all Americans is a scary thing indeed, for both those on the right and left alike. Like some ever-hungry, multi-armed leviathan, large media consolidation in the United States has been swallowing up and silencing local voices in newspapers, radio, and television for nearly 15 years.
Until Comcast took over radio and TV giant NBC, and movie giant Universal, Americans have always been able to say that they could change the channel if they didn't like the fare that was delivered to them.
With this new breed of media conglomerate, if Comcast decides to only allow positive stories through its delivery pipes, technically, they can do that. If their chief executive decides he hates a specific college or pro sports team, they'll be able to create "accidental" technical difficulties any time they like. In the case of Comcast, if NBC is broadcasting a game, no matter who your internet or cable provider is, they may be able to hold you down and force you to pay them exorbitant rates if you want to view the programming to which they own the rights.
That there are also concerns being raised that some in the Congress and the White House are both looking to add an "internet kill switch" for the United States simply adds to our overall concern about our First Amendment protections.
While you're watching the chaos continue in Egypt today, remember that it was the government there that shut down access to the internet for its citizens.
As of today, in America, we could very well be on the edge of seeing a situation whereby a corporation (Comcast) has that same level of control over what what you see and hear - or don't see and hear. The idea that you could be receiving propaganda instead of unbiased, factual news is a frightening prospect. It is a lot more frightening and real than the crackbrained notion that the government might restrict the right of "sportsmen" to own weapons like the AK47 or the Uzi or Glock pistols with large-capacity magazines.
Our long-term readers are well aware that we have our eyes and ears on what's going on over there, and we continue to monitor any news coming out of that part of the world. Every media organization worth its salt is paying attention to the full depth of events there, and we're no exception. You'll find a full list of related stories in our news links section today that will give you a good look at what's happening in Egypt.
One of the more important things that has already occurred in that ancient nation on the Nile has a strange connection to an event that just finished happening in the U.S. over the weekend.
In case you missed our linked stories on Friday, the Egyptian government shut down internet access for most of its people at the end of last week. It was a display of government control over the internet that no other country in the world has exhibited - not even China, Iran, or North Korea. The Egyptian government of Hosni Mubarak used what's been termed an "internet kill switch" thanks in large part to its connection with a small number of media corporations, including some that control both Egyptian content AND delivery.
That's just like the new owners in the United States of NBC Universal, Comcast.
The idea that a small number of corporations - and even more accurately, a small number of executives in those corporations - could choke off access to some First Amendment rights for all Americans is a scary thing indeed, for both those on the right and left alike. Like some ever-hungry, multi-armed leviathan, large media consolidation in the United States has been swallowing up and silencing local voices in newspapers, radio, and television for nearly 15 years.
Until Comcast took over radio and TV giant NBC, and movie giant Universal, Americans have always been able to say that they could change the channel if they didn't like the fare that was delivered to them.
With this new breed of media conglomerate, if Comcast decides to only allow positive stories through its delivery pipes, technically, they can do that. If their chief executive decides he hates a specific college or pro sports team, they'll be able to create "accidental" technical difficulties any time they like. In the case of Comcast, if NBC is broadcasting a game, no matter who your internet or cable provider is, they may be able to hold you down and force you to pay them exorbitant rates if you want to view the programming to which they own the rights.
That there are also concerns being raised that some in the Congress and the White House are both looking to add an "internet kill switch" for the United States simply adds to our overall concern about our First Amendment protections.
While you're watching the chaos continue in Egypt today, remember that it was the government there that shut down access to the internet for its citizens.
As of today, in America, we could very well be on the edge of seeing a situation whereby a corporation (Comcast) has that same level of control over what what you see and hear - or don't see and hear. The idea that you could be receiving propaganda instead of unbiased, factual news is a frightening prospect. It is a lot more frightening and real than the crackbrained notion that the government might restrict the right of "sportsmen" to own weapons like the AK47 or the Uzi or Glock pistols with large-capacity magazines.
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