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On Objectivism –
“There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.” – John Rodgers
That whole male-gaze/female objectification thing is soooooo out to lunch.
Go to the Tumblr to see the rest.
I find it amusing how often people refer to the media as having a “liberal bias”. It is such a counter-intuitive claim to make given the composition of the majority of mainstream media outlets (ad driven, reliant on the government for information). Media Lens never gives an inch when it comes to the ‘liberal press’ bowing to power.
Liberal journalism is balanced, neutral and objective, except when it’s not. A BBC news report on Hugo Chavez’s latest election triumph in Venezuela commented:
‘Mr Chavez said Venezuela would continue its march towards socialism but also vowed he would be a “better president”.’ (Our emphasis. The article was subsequently amended, although the ‘but’ remains)
The ‘but’ revealed the BBC’s perception of a conflict between Venezuela’s ‘march towards socialism’ and Chavez becoming a ‘better president’. Despite the appearance of neutral reporting, the ‘but’ snarled at both Chavez and socialism.
A second BBC article described Chavez as ‘one of the most visible, vocal and controversial leaders in Latin America’.
Another found him a ‘colourful and often controversial figure on the international stage’.
“Is Chavez more ‘controversial’ than war—fighting leaders like Bush, Blair, Brown, Obama and Cameron? How many tens or hundreds of thousands of people has Chavez killed? Imagine the BBC reporting: ‘David Cameron is an often controversial figure on the international stage.’ In fact the term is reserved for enemies of the West.
The same bias is found in editorials that often express, or reflect, the passionately partisan views of owners and editors. In 1997, the Independent proclaimed that Tony Blair’s election victory ‘bursts open the door to a British transformation’ to a ‘freer land’. (Neal Ascherson, ‘Through the door he can begin to create a freer land,’ The Independent, May 4, 1997)”
Damn Liberal Media indeed…
Justice will be served?
He’s a Fundie, with a BADGE! That’s right folks, newly appointed Winnipeg police chief Devon Clunis is gonna clean up the streets….with prayer! Hallelujah Sweet Jebus, we gonna fill some murderous hearts with love tonight, just by whispering sweet nothings into the ear of our collective imaginary friend, AMEN!
You know, I spend a good deal of my time reading about how religion poisons and destroys lives all across the globe, all across history, but I admit I’ve always felt a little shielded here in Canada. Sure, Alberta sometimes seems like the ‘Texas of Canada’, but that ‘of Canada’ bit reigns in a substantial amount of theistic lunacy.
Sure, we have some obstacles to overcome to become a truly progressive society, but this is Canada, goddamit! We got that separation of church and state thing going strong! We aren’t like those backward United States! Faith isn’t paraded like a virtue by those in public office! Civil servants keep their faiths hidden where they belong and … and … who the fuck is this guy? A police chief promoting prayer? Really? REALLY? IN MY COUNTRY?
Ok, ok. Calm down. Let’s deal with this like cool collected intellectual people, and tear this guy a new one.
Rationally speaking, of course. Read the rest of this entry »
I’m struck by the casual nature of the media when it comes to reporting on imperial wars. Casualties are tallied, the right words are said, but then off we go to the next soundbite. Time for reflection and contemplation is becoming (has become) a lost art. Louder, Bigger, and Faster are what we’re all about now; and it is wrong, dead wrong.
Amazingly enough, not posted by Paolo Pietropaolo. But hell, lets link there anyways.
Welcome readers to the key of E major, the Signature Series continues and as always you will have to go over to the CBC Radio 2 site to listen to the music and voice-over by Paolo Pietropaolo.
E major: Prince Charming – (by Paolo Pietropalo)
Also known as: – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
The Gentleman. – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
The Wide-eyed Optimist. – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
E majors you might know: – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
The Lone Ranger. –(Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
Clark Kent. – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
Westley from The Princess Bride. – (Also written by Paolo Pietropalo)
The notes: E – F♯- G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D♯ – E.
Number of sharps: four.
Relative minor: C-sharp minor.
What they said about E major in the 19th century: ( Also written by Paolo Pietropalo but most likely transcribed from “Historical quotes and translations from A History of Key Characteristics in the 18th and Early 19th Centuries, by Rita Steblin, UMI Research Press (1983).” – but most definitely written by Paolo Pietropalo)
“Bright and pellucid; adapted to brilliant subjects.” – William Gardiner, 1817
“Clear as a bell and joyful. Screaming, bright, burning-yellow.” – F.L. Bührlen, 1825
More E major listening: (probably Googled by Paolo Pietropalo, but such hard work should be properly attributed.)
Salut d’Amour by Edward Elgar.
“The Dance of the Hours” by Amilcare Ponchielli.
The Canadian connection:
“Out of the Game” by Rufus Wainwright.
If you missed earlier mention – the stuff in brown is written by Paolo Pietropalo.
Pictures, just to be on the safe side. Below is Paolo Pietropalo photoshopped onto a picture of with the title of the Signature Series just to make extra sure we all know that Paolo Pietropalo (and the production crew supporting him) is/are responsible for the Signature Series, definitely not ME (aka the Arbourist), host of this particular low-traffic blog.
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