The current issue of Arthur magazine (Brian Eno cover, issue #17, July ’05) isn’t available for online reading yet but there’s a worthwhile Douglas Rushkoff essay called “Be Your Own Guru” inside.
I found this quote illuminating:
Transference is a … terrific technique for engendering loyalty. Back in the ’90s, I did some studies on coercive tactics. From the CIA Interrogation Manual to one of Toyota’s sales handbooks, I found the same basic strategy: confuse or disorient the subject until they regress to a childlike state, then step in as a parent figure and offer relief by accepting a confession or sale.
Dick Cheney was interviewed on Thursday about insurgent violence in Iraq. He repeatedly referred to the particpants as “terrorists.” He admitted there are months of bloodshed ahead, regardless of the fact the situation is “in its last throes.”
A U.S. General evidently disagrees. In the same Senate committee hearing that involved a “strangely silent” Donald Rumsfeld, General John Abizaid reported the level of insurgency is “about the same as it was six months ago.
A Washington Post article from April (registration required) explains the spin Bush and company like to put on world terrorism statistics. This passage, in particular, spells out the Administration’s company line:
Under the standards used by the [U.S.] government, “significant” terrorist attacks are defined as those that cause civilian casualties or fatalities or substantial damage to property. Attacks on uniformed military personnel such as the large number of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq are not included.
Figures don’t lie, but liars sure figure.
Karl Rove takes a page from the Limbaugh/O’Reilly/Novak playbook: fire off a glib, provocative insult from the hip, and piss off the liberals.
Why do the Democrats play into this kind of transparent crap? All it does is show what humorless, whiny dumbasses they are (I think I see Hillary Clinton waving her hand over there). This is merely weak Air America-baiting, and anyone with sense would ignore Rove’s pathetic grasp for the headlines.
I know this isn’t news to anyone, but Jimmy Kimmel’s monologues are just sad. They seem aimed at folks who will be laughing at Jay Leno’s jokes 15 years from now.
To quote Larry Sanders, they’re early Conan.
Alternately, one could call it SCNN: the Scared Caucasian News Network.
On CNN’s Live Today this morning– a sampling of the top features:
ID Theft
Germs in the Workplace
Natalie Holloway Search Continues
Missing Boy Scout in Utah
The Risks of Wireless Internet Use
Internet Safety for Kids
See you there, Bay Areans. Happy Summer.
Andrew Earles/Failed Pilot
I never would have known that Dread Zeppelin actually released an album entitled No Quarter Pounder.
