Some sources of conspiracy.

If anybody has been around me in the past month you would know that I have an obsession with the book Censored 2008. This book is required reading in my Media Criticism and Theory class, but I would totally pick up this book and read it on my own time being the news junkie that I am.
Well the only thing that rocks more than the book is its website Project Censored.Org.
Here is three links from that site that will blow your hair back:
AFRICOM: US Military Control of Africa’s Resources
For those of you that have heard my Obama conspiracy theory, this article is the one that fuels it.
This article also does a great job contrasting what we read in the mainstream media to what's really going on. Just think about the president's recent Africa trip. During its coverage did you hear a thing about the creation of that sixth Army unit and the establishment of bases somewhere on the African continent. I know I heard little more than a plans for missile defense.
Privatization of America’s Infrastructure
Read this article and you get a different sense about Rendell's plan to sell the Pennsylvania turnpike. It's like renting an apartment and selling the building while living there. I don't what to get overly political (too late) but it kind of pisses me off that our governor is trying to sell something he really doesn't own.
Future of Internet Debate Ignored by Media
This is the grand salami of them all. They might have the change the name Internet, to AT&TNet or Comcastnet. That's because if certain governmental decisions are made in the next couple years, the term Internet will loose it true meaning because telecom company's and ISPs will own the infrastructure the current Internet operates on. And wait for this one, the amount of money we pay for internet access will also go up.
You know I could have fallen off the turnip truck yesterday, and this entire website could be some massive left-wing conspiracy, but also important to acknowledge one important theory; NOTHING that we read and watch is completely true. I just say we try to read and watch as much as we can and make the final decision for ourselves.

Writing for little less than the masses

Even though this blog is written so that anybody can enjoy its content, I don’t think anybody does. It really don’t care, but I know people in my writing for the web class are required to read this blog so its topic related to class and pop culture.
I ran across this commentary article on CSMonitor.com
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0319/p17s01-stct.html, and it immediately interest me because it address some of the questions that people have about trusting content on the Internet.
For any person that has used the web for anything academic or informational, the web has always been the realm of “buyer beware.” Since any person can post to the Internet the information can’t be trusted.
But Regan, the author of the column, sees the Internet evolving past that point. Sure the random content still exists, but we don’t consume it unless it passes through some filters.
Regan talks about:
Digg.com
Reddit.com
Slashdot.com
These sites keep track of user’s approval for articles. Through popularity articles are more trusted and of course consumed. Regan said, “The choices of the accumulated community are seen as more trustworthy than the "gatekeeper" model of traditional news and information.”
I feel like the Internet has always been criticized for non-reliable information, but those that think the Internet is a gigantic hodge-podge of worthless information are not seeing the webs ultimate evolution.
The reality is, millions of people police the web in the name of accuracy in information. Those that don’t believe in this silent mass only need to post incorrect information to an open source site like Wikipedia. You’ll find incorrect posting are changed, many times within minutes, after original posting.
Regan even quotes a familiar name to our writing for the web class,
“Why? Because for most reporters covering a big sprawling beat, it's still true what Dan Gillmor, the first newspaper blogger [said]: 'My readers know more than I do.' And it's still the case that tapping into that knowledge is becoming more practical because of the Internet."
For all the critics, the very fact people can post to the Internet might be closer to finding reliable information than going to traditional sources. I think it is pretty obvious that what we now think of the Internet in terms reliable information might start to change, I know that I’m pretty excited.

Snakes on a deck

Just imagine this scenario for a moment. You’re waking up in your home located in a temperate, southern region of the U.S. You start your morning routine and oddly you have a cat unaccounted for. You walk toward your sliding back door and, boom, there is a 20-foot long, 250 pound Burmese python finishing up it breakfast of muffy. (the cat)
Well according to USA Today and the U.S. Geological Survey a third of the U.S. could begin seeing these snakes: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-20-burmese-pythons_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip loc=interstitialskip">http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-20-burmese-pythons_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
If your not familiar with the Burmese python’s handy work I’ve provided some video of the snake verses a variety of opponents:
Python vs. chicken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD3GQc2FdoY
Python vs. rabbit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6gZE0MdaVY&feature=related
Just peruse the article for a moment and you find two things to blame for one more reason to stick to city parks when walking a small dog – Global warming and red necks.
Since it is such and big target and since it is being attack for so much more than the spread of pythons in North America, I’m going to lay off Global Warming and turn my entire blame on the rednecks.
The article describes the people who are responsible for releasing the snake as, “owners who no longer wanted them, (USA Today)”
I know redneck can sometimes be considered a harsh word, but I’m kind of angry about the whole Burmese python introduction thing.
The person obviously had to go out of their way to obtain a Burmese python considering THEY LIVE IN ASIA! I’m willing to bet Mr. python was pretty happy snake-it-up in Asia. But no, they got snatched up send to Florida and Arkansas of all places. There, they didn’t live up to their full snake potential and some how got out.
I guess in a way it was best for the snake to get out of their captivity. But it’s not good for me to ever wade through any water ever again.
I know, I know, I’m kind of being a wussy about this. I am, however, reminded of Ice Cube and J-Lo problems with snakes and would like to avoid a similar scenario. Not to mention I kind of like cats also.

SNOW DAY!!!

I don’t really get crazy about Christmas anymore. I don’t go out of my way to see latest and greatest children’s movie, even if it is nominated for an Oscar. You could say in some ways I have lost touch with my inner child. That was, of course, until I sat down in front of my computer yesterday morning, only to discover classes had been cancelled.
I must admit it has been awhile since I have officially been able to enjoy the impromptu holiday known as a “Snow Day,” but the excitement wasn’t lost on me. I was giddy as a schoolgirl and immediately ran back to bed, jumped up and down and promptly went back to sleep.
After I woke up from a much-deserved slumber, the memories of snow days from twenty-years ago washed over me. Any interest in Meteorology, when I was kid revolved around the possibility of a “snow day.” I would stay glued to both the TV and the radio in order to hear “School District of Lancaster, CLOSED.” If I were lucky enough mom would inform me while I was still in bed.
True to form with all “Snow Days” I’ve celebrated in my life, what appears to be a golden opportunity to catch up on school and a house work, actually turns into a lazy day in which not much more than playing in the snow takes place. Evident by the fact I wrote this blog the day after the “Snow day” took place.
I must say it felt good to feel like a kid again, and like all “snow days” this particular one came at the best time. But just like with any “snow day” there is the time when you must return to reality and responsibility. Of course it always help to start the first day back with the next best thing to a “snow day” which is the “two hour delay.”

Monkeys and Boobies

OH BABY, strike up the marching band. People are doing flips down the streets, old ladies are fainting and the monkey cages are being raided (I’ll explain that last statement in a few paragraphs) The Super bowl is only a few days away, and the hype is already at a fever pace.
The best part about the Super bowl is the fact that it has nothing with American Football Conference champions taking on the National Football Conference champions to determine the champion of the National Football League. Football is only the backdrop. In fact, many of the 93 million people in the more than 40 countries really don’t care about the football game. I bet you more people care about what Tom Brady is going to do after the game than the final score. (Let me guess Tom, you’re going to Disneyworld.)
So why are people going to going the tune into this year’s game you might ask. The reply is simple—monkeys and boobies.
I say monkeys because of the commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnQMq5wtZcg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gc96BYHUbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBnFjXZtHIE
Everybody tunes in for the commercials. Commercials that mostly feature monkeys, or chimpanzees (Yes, I know the difference) dressing up like people and doing funny things. I must admit, that as much as I do care about the football game, I also tune in for the monkeys. I love the monkeys and I’m glad that most advertising agencies have realized that most people love monkeys also. I hope there are at least three different monkey commercials this year.
I also hope Budweiser comes to its senses and brings Budbowl back. Next to monkeys, beer bottles playing football also rock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0zVJ-MgwkM
I say boobies, because of Janet Jackson and her contribution to our popular culture. http://www.teambio.org/uploads/JanetJacksonSuperBowlPic.jpg Don’t tell me anyone goes to the bathroom during halftime anymore. Thanks to Justin and a convenient “wardrobe malfunction” people are all about seeing this year’s outrageous antics during halftime. Those that tuned in last year weren’t disappointed, Prince’s performance is still kicking ass right now, not because there were any boobies, just because Prince is a little man who kicks ass.
Well I hope you are all ready for the excitement. Tom Petty is set for the main stage. I don’t care what part of his wardrobe malfunctions; he will have a hard time topping Prince. One thing I do know, I will be tuning in to find out.

My second moratorium on Bush bashing.

I think it was about 2001 or so and an envelope showed up in my mailbox from the federal government. Since it looked official, I opened the letter immediately only to find a $350 check.
It was my cut of a $1.35 trillion tax cut, President George Bush pressed through early in his presidency. I didn’t vote for Bush, so the check was a big surprise. Bush said he wanted to cut taxes to simulate the economy and I promptly agreed with him. (The focus of my first economic stimulus packaged impacted the Hawaii entertainment scene.)
Since I had such a good time simulating the economy with George Bush I decided to impose a two-week moratorium to any Bush bashing.
This moratorium included any jokes or insults directed at the president. I pretty much had to stop watch the Daily Show, and I avoided watching any speeches given by “W.” Ever since I’ve seen the Will Farrell’s impression of the president I have to laugh.
Now the old boy is back to his old tricks again. People are going around calling him a “lame duck” and he ain’t hearing none of that.
“W’ is going to send me another check, this time for a similar amount. Since I have already set precedence, another check buys the President another two weeks.
I will now have to avoid spirited debate at the coffee shop, and head shaking while I read the newspaper. Never mind that $120 billion is just a small percentage of a $14 trillion economy, another check buys my silence.
Thank you Mr. President. I don’t think I will have quite as much fun simulating the economy with you this time. But I guess it is the thought that counts.

Britney is always a good place to start

I know that Britney Spears has a new boyfriend. I know that she recently had an altercation with Tom Cruise at a Hollywood night club. I know a lot of things about Britney Spears, the drug problems, the custody battles and even the head shaving. I know all these things because she is everywhere. I really challenge any person to take a daily stroll through our media and not come back with some juicy little Brit tid-bit.
In fact, I was even listening to NPR the other day and she appeared.() This time, however, the information I obtained about Britney helped me make more sense to why I hear about her all the time.
Duff McDonald, a writer at Portfolio Magazine, recently wrote an article called "The Britney Economy" () This article shows that despite what looks like a "trainwreck" in life is really a $100 million industry.
The Paparazzi, the companies that use her name and likeness and of course the media make millions each year. Not so hard to believe when you think about how much we see and hear about her.
I understand everyone likes to watch a "trainwreck" as it takes place. I guess watching a once successful, bright young person ruin multiple peoples lives helps us feel better ourselves.
What I didn't understand was why the media covered the so much. But now it is all starting to make sense to me. People are making money from the whole thing, including Britney. For her, acting crazy makes her just as much money as making records. In fact it probably makes her more.
The Elizabeth Ardens, Jive Records and People Magazines of the world have also hit the jackpot because Britney saturates the media and produces publicity for their product.
When you start thinking about the situation in this realm Britney and our apparent fascination for her is really an industry like anything else. A group of people seeking to make easy money.
The whole thing really starts to get boring at this point, doesn't it?