Great column and warning. I strongly recommend reading this.
Month: September 2021
TV coverage is distorted by what looks dramatic
I live in Baltimore. During the Freddie Gray events in 2015, we were swamped by media folks ranging from Al Sharpton to Geraldo Rivera. I don’t think these people cared about Baltimore and their presence was not helpful. TV emphases dramatic events which distorts coverage of what’s going on. We saw the looting but did you see residents out the next day cleaning up? I doubt it.
The news media overemphasizes Trump and his cult because they make for better TV. Someone who says Biden won and they took the vaccine is boring. I have said over and over on Twitter that the networks need to have more balanced coverage and show Biden voters, not just QANON types. I have prepared the chart below. I am only partially being satirical.
| Good TV | Bad TV |
| Violence and looting at BLM protests | The 93% of BLM protests that were peaceful The cleanup of damage by local people |
| Big Lie believers | People who know Biden won |
| People who won’t take the vaccine | People who did take the vaccine |
| People who think Antifa was responsible for the insurrection | People who know Trump supporters were responsible for the insurrection |
| People who oppose mask mandates | People (not just doctors/scientists) who support mask mandates |
| 1/6 insurrection | No peaceful comparison |
John Prine (the album) is 50
This is a great album. Our college radio station was giving away albums and one of my friends took this one because John Denver had covered “Spanish Pipedream”. We didn’t know anything else about it. It’s full of great songs and showcases Prine’s ability to inhabit the lives of a variety of people including women and the elderly. My favorite song here is “Angel from Montgomery”. I have other posts on songs from this album that were covered.
The Band was issued today in 1969
The album simply named The Band was issued on this date in 1969. It’s my second favorite rock album (after Exile on Main Street). In a period of psychedelic excess, The Band’s focus on history and blending styles really stood out. So did their three great vocalists.
Elliott Landy took the cover picture. His photos of The Band are here.
DeSantis mask policies are not supported in polls
DeSantis appointed a mask opponent as Florida’s Surgeon General. However, the public does not agree with DeSantis on his mask views and policies.
Lack of civility on Twitter by Trump cult members
Someone said I look like a Muppet in a reply to one of my tweets. I never respond to personal insults but I was tempted to answer the guy who asked if I was on LSD. I would have said “Not lately”.
Music Covers: Peace Train
“Peace Train” (1971) by Cat Stevens has just been covered by several musicians (including him) as part of Playing for Change.
Tweet thread by Jeff Yang on Covid in his family
This personal story thread is well worth reading. Read the whole thing.
Good riddance to Trump appointee who politicized the Voice of America
I have posted about him before.
The majority supports keeping Roe v. Wade
That won’t stop the Republican Supreme Court from killing it. The majority also disagrees with the Court on the terrible Texas law. Republicans don’t care if their policies are popular.
Sad! 