MediaMyopic

For those of you, like myself, who have been skeptical of the soft Iraq war coverage of the last few years have had their worst fears confirmed. This week The New York Times revealed an extensive covert plot from the Pentagon that involved deploying close to 100 pseudo political ‘pundits’ with scripted pro-war propaganda aimed at controlling public opinion. And we’re not just talking about Fox News. The Times reports that these ‘pundits,’ or as the White House calls them, “message force multipliers,” infiltrated Fox, CBS, NBC, CNN, ABC and MSNBC news programs. These pundits were recruited by the Bush Administration to disseminate misleading war information and false praises of the U.S. war effort. The result is Bush’s most duplicitous breach of public trust since taking office. Gone is the watchdog role of the media, the Fourth Estate designed to safeguard our democratic virtues and keep public officials honest. If this violation of federal law, which prohibits government sanctioned covert propaganda, doesn’t warrant impeachment, then clearly the system is broken. If you care about safeguarding the integrity of information flow, act now and tell Congress that this is unacceptable.

With the most tightly contested western conference playoffs race in league history, some of the highest scoring games in NBA history (Denver, 168; Chicago, 151), the revival of storied franchises like the Celtics and Lakers, the emergence of talents like Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, and the best Slam Dunk Contest in my lifetime, basketball fans have much to clamor for as the NBA playoffs kick off this weekend. I encourage fans to celebrate the season, but with a few caveats. The following are what I call the Top 5 media myths of the 2007-08 NBA season: 5) The Eastern Conference Sucks: Actually, the Pistons and Celtics have the best shot at winning it all; Orlando is also a contender; Philadelphia has one of the best post All Star break records; and teams like the Pacers (Jermaine O’Neal, Jamaal Tinsley), Raptors (T.J. Ford) and Wizards (Gil Arenas) would be close to the top of the standings if not for injuries to key players. 4) LeBron James is an MVP candidate: LeBron doesn’t make his teammates better (even after a trade that brought over Ben Wallace and overdue outside shooting), he doesn’t make his team better. And after several seasons in the league remains stuck in .500 mediocrity. Unbelievable that he’s put in the same category as Kobe or Chris Paul. 3) The possibility of the first-round upset: this year’s western conference is a complete anomaly. Since the league changed the first round playoff format from a 5 to 7-game series, the only notable upset was last year’s Golden State-Dallas series. A lenghty series never bodes well for the underdog, so don’t expect any surprises in the Eastern Conference. 2) The Houston Rockets have a prayer: They were simply operating on the adrenaline of a historic win streak. It’s absurd that some analysts have suggested that a team of misfits led by an inconsistent all star could come out of the pack. Golden State is more deserving of a playoff spot. 1) That commentators Doug Collins, Kenny Smith, Tim Legler and Craig Sager know what they’re talking about: These clowns don’t have a clue. If you really want the 411, listen to Barkley and Stephen A. Smith.

Last summer the Vatican announced the 10 Commandments for motorists. In May it amended the church’s list of sins to include harming Mother Earth, joining the ranks of gluttony, envy, sloth and other less desirable traits. It’s nice to see this modernizing of religious principle, but Pope Benedict XVI conveniently omitted ‘thou shall not indulge.’ In a society so preoccupied with consumerism, industry and progress, why not chime in on our lifestyle of excess? Perhaps that’s because, according to Newsweek, the Pope’s visit to Washington, D.C. earlier this month was marred by the peculiar decision to sport Prada shoes. Perhaps it’s a desire to stimulate the local Italian economy or, Pope Benedict XVI is simply a label whore. For those of you, like myself, who have never stepped foot in a Prada store, a pair of men’s shoes will typically cost you between $300-400. With unprecedented levels of poverty in the world, and an increasing divide between rich and poor, I’d be curious to know how Mother Theresa or Gandhi would feel about the lavish wardrobe. It certainly makes me think twice when the Catholics come by with their second collection basket at Sunday Mass.

Maybe it’s the sunny spring weather or the art of accepting defeat with grace. But, more likely, it’s the possibility of the vice presidency that puts the bickering among losing presidential candidates on the back burner. It’s the time of year where those who have bowed out get political by coyly deflecting any notion of their desire for the White House. John Edwards, for one, has denied that he would accept a second nod for vice president – yet, strangely, refuses to endorse the two remaining Democratic candidates. Those who are indifferent to serving as vice president do not withhold endorsements; those who hope to serve in that capacity wait out the results of a clear nominee before praising a particular candidate. It remains unclear whom McCain will choose from the GOP’s Island of Misfit Toys. It is also doubtful that – now Clinton’s embarrassing fall from grace includes Geraldo (Rivera)-esque fabrications of landing amidst sniper shooting in Bosnia – the Obama-Hillary ticket will ever evolve. But Obama was quoted last week as saying he’d offer Al Gore, who claims to have “fallen out of love” with politics, a cabinet position. And that’s the best idea I’ve heard since these overly saturated presidential campaigns began.