Blogcritics: Comments on Patriotism or Politics?

Comment by bflaska

Fri, 21 Mar 2003 17:56:13 EST

This appears to me to be the crux of the article: Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota, said the company's support of the Bush administration's policy toward Iraq makes it "hard to escape the concern that this may in part be motivated by issues that Clear Channel has before the FCC and Congress." I think Kirtley has summarized the situation accurately. The media giant merely wants to maintain a position of influence with the party in power, which could change the current rules of media ownership. This is a dangerous situation, whether you're willing to believe it or not.

Comment by Steve Rhodes

Fri, 21 Mar 2003 02:58:44 EST

From an article in salon mostly focusing on the protests: Her sense of a country wanting to shut people up was confirmed last night at an Ani DiFranco concert in New Jersey. The concert took place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a venue owned by radio and concert behemoth Clear Channel. The company barred political groups from setting up tables at the concert and, according to progressive radio host Amy Goodman, who introduced DiFranco, company officials threatened to cut the microphones if there was any political speech onstage. The show was delayed as DiFranco fought with Clear Channel.

Comment by san

Thu, 20 Mar 2003 14:04:50 EST

Bush was invading Iraq every since he made that infamous axis of evil speech. He was just a matter of when.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Thu, 20 Mar 2003 10:47:58 EST

"Shrugged off diplomacy"? They went way out of their way to work with the UN, the Security Council made it clear tha force was not an option. The only making inspections - an element of the "diplomacy" - work is the presence of 250,000 troops on Iraq's borders. What was let for "diplomacy" to accomplish?

Comment by san

Thu, 20 Mar 2003 10:44:14 EST

One of the reasons I don't support the Bush invasion is BECAUSE I'm concerned about our troops. One thing to die in defense of freedom with no other options, another thing entirely to die in an unethical war when this administration shrugged off diplomacy in favor of firepower.