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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Sam, Duke, Imus (and a bit of Bush slime)

Bush Update: More blatant breaking of the law ... email edition. [Necessary for oversight and such, not just some technical matter to shrug off.] And, focus on bogus claims of vote fraud, victimizing people along the way ... and democracy overall. Darn democrats. Oh wait ... But, it's just about his absolute right to fire. Didn't Clinton do it too? Oh, and the "oops" excuse doesn't pass the smell test.


Tomorrow's is Sam Seder's final weekday spot at Air America ... again, I'm not sure why they are disposing of him. I don't know this "Lionel" guy that is replacing him, but don't trust fake radio handles like that. Thom Hartman was a good replacement for Al Franken, but if we had to replace Sam, I'd favor a younger voice ... the regulars are honestly a bit square. Thinking maybe like the tone of some blogs, like Feministing ... twenty something etc. Oh well.

I honestly am not a big fan of celebrity crime stories, so the Duke matter does not interest me too much, and I have not kept up with the details. It does seem that some of those ... not all admittedly ... so passionate about how this was a major civil liberty problem are a bit selective in their concern. Oh look, the left are selective in their concern for defendant rights, etc. One hopes that even though this is an atypical case in some ways, the concern for prosecutoral abuse will carry over. Sadly, I have my doubts. In this case, the system basically worked -- burden of proof, media coverage, and so forth. One problem that comes to mind is that now the usual case -- date rape allegations that are true -- will be given a more dubious eye than they sometimes deserve. This is one reason why targeting the innocent is so problematic.

As to Don Imus ... Atrios on SS hit upon it -- the reason why he got burned while some on talk radio rant and spew garbage on a daily basis is that we expect more of him. Imus actually tries to supply an independent voice, and has various mainstream sorts, including members of Congress, on his show. Also, it is different when you crudely discuss public officials like Clinton or Obama. Calling student athletes hos is a lower blow. Finally, this "but they do it too" bit respecting blacks is annoying. Now, I think his attempt to go the Trent Lott route by going on Al Sharpton's show was moronic (I know someone who hates the guy so much that it colors the cases when she admits something wrong was done ... if he protests, it poisons things), and there is the "I can dis my own" deal.

But, Imus is a major broadcaster ... well, who knows now, not a rap artist. He did something wrong here, and even if those who criticize it have their own blind spots (we all do), it still is very wrong. And, it is not a singular case ... the tipping point has been reached, and a message sent about respectable fare. This includes when the more retrograde sorts on the talk radio right do it without the (messy) mix with superior fare.

I wonder who will replace him. Sam Seder? Rachel Maddow (tongue in cheek, she referenced the "talk" on that possibility)? Yes, I'm waiting with baited breath, or whatever. Meanwhile, per NYT, someone was not able to go the meeting between the basketball players and Imus:
Gov. Jon S. Corzine suffered a broken leg, several fractured ribs and cuts on his face Thursday night after his state police vehicle swerved to avoid an apparently out-of-control driver on the Garden State Parkway and hit a guard rail, according to state officials.