Yes, PBS Crapped on American Taxpayers

For two hours tonight, the Public Broadcasting Service was the Muslim Broadcasting Service.

And you and I, American taxpayer, paid to make it and broadcast it.

Re: PBS Craps on American Taxpayers.

I'm sorry to have to say that, in my estimation, Daniel Pipe's report on the PBS propaganda "documentary" Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet is entirely correct.

The life of Mohammed, the early history of Islam, and a peaceful, moderate understanding of the religion, were all presented in a manner wholly, entirely, completely, and utterly uncritical.

I need hardly say how this kind of treatment stands in marked contrast with the way mainstream media deals with the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, the history of Christianity, and a peaceful, moderate understanding of the religion. (Think "right-wing fundamentalists". Enough said.) No statement from the New Testament, no quotation from ancient Christian tradition, no confession of orthodox belief is ever presented without the immediate presentation of critical viewpoints from secular scholars and heterodox Christians. (Think "The Jesus Seminar." Enough said.)

For instance? One Kevin James, a New York City fire marshal, explained how his Muslim faith convinced him to get into firefighting. If this propaganda "documentary" had been produced as a "documentary" on Christianity would have been produced, the audience would likely have been informed immediately that, say, ninety-percent-plus of NYC firefighters are Catholics.

And James recalled how, when rushing towards the World Trade Center on 9-11, "I just felt, oh, in the back of my head, please don't be Muslims doing this" — this being, of course, hijacking planes and flying them into buildings to rain horrible, crushing, terrifying, flaming death on innocent, unsuspecting civilians. If this propaganda "documentary" had been produced as a "documentary" on Christianity would have been produced, the audience would likely have been informed immediately that, say, no Christian firefighter could be found who had given a nanosecond's thought to feeling "please don't be Christians doing this" in NYC on 9-11.

Let me repeat myself: the PBS "documentary" presented not a moment — not a single moment — of critical analysis of any of the claims made regarding the life of Mohammed, the early history of his religion, or a completely benign understanding of the precepts of the faith.

A while back, PBS used to trumpet itself by asking (something like) If not us, then who? The implied answer, of course, was Nobody. That answer sounds mighty good to me right now.

Here is the e-mail feedback form at the PBS website.

P.S. I do not question the sincerity of the individuals presented on the program; but I most certainly do impugn the integrity of those responsible for making and broadcasting it.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 12/18/02 11:23:01 PM
Categorized as Media.

Even George McGovern Agrees With Me

Yes, that George McGovern.

Re: Trent Lott is a Twit: But, what's all this fuss?

According to The Clarion-Ledger today:

Former Democratic senator and 1972 presidential nominee George McGovern said Tuesday "too much fuss" is being made about Sen. Trent Lott's controversial statements, suggesting that his critics are "piling on." ....

"I think too much fuss is being made over Senator Lott's gaffe," McGovern said, reading from a statement he had prepared. "In the spirit of a birthday tribute to a colleague 100 years old, it is easy for a politician to gloss over the history of half a century ago...."

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 12/18/02 09:13:14 PM
Categorized as Political.

Thanks to the Blogosphere

For taking note of the "UIPA" news report "published" here yesterday.

Re: Kareem Ali Mfume Dies.

Thanks to Mark Shea at Catholic and Enjoying It!; Jeff Miller at Atheist to a Theist; Eric Belk at The Mighty Barrister; Peter Sean Bradley at Lex Communis; and to Dylan at Tenebrae et Lux, and for his very kind words:

The estimable & highly esteemed poet, blogger, Catholic apologist, clairoyant, prophet and mordant wit Lane Core relates sad news about the tragic end of one Kareem Ali Mfume (b. October 9, 1941, d. December 17, 2012).

Apologies to anyone I might have overlooked. And thanks again to all.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 12/18/02 03:13:49 PM
Categorized as Other.

Different Kinds of Webpages

Thanks to e-mailers.

Statue of Liberty & Fireworks

"Here is one for you.... click here to go to website: http:// doody36 . home . attbi . com / liberty . htm. Click your mouse in the black space above the Statue of Liberty. The higher & faster you go the better the display."

Singing Horses

"Click here: http:// svt . se / hogafflahage / hogafflaHage_site / Kor / hestekor . swf. Wait for the entire screen to load up with all 4 horses & a fence in front of them [be patient and make sure your sound is on]. Then, click on each horse. Start with the horse on the left. Re-click on any horse to make it turn off, or turn it back on again."

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 12/18/02 09:04:42 AM
Categorized as Other.

A Politically Correct Christmas Carol

Sent to me today by a friend.

On the 12th day of the Eurocentrically imposed midwinter festival, my significant other in a consenting adult, monogamous relationship gave to me:

TWELVE males reclaiming their inner warrior through ritual drumming,

ELEVEN pipers piping (plus the 18-member pit orchestra made up of members in good standing of the Musicians Equity Union as called for in their union contract even though they will not be asked to play a note),

TEN melanin-deprived, testosterone-poisoned scions of the patriarchal ruling class system leaping,

NINE persons engaged in rhythmic self-expression,

EIGHT economically disadvantaged female persons stealing milk-products from enslaved Bovine-Americans,

SEVEN endangered swans swimming on federally protected wetlands,

SIX enslaved Fowl-Americans producing stolen non-human animal products,

FIVE golden symbols of culturally sanctioned enforced domestic incarceration,

(NOTE: after members of the Animal Liberation Front threatened to throw red paint at my computer, the calling birds, French hens and partridges have been reintroduced to their native habitat. To avoid further Animal-American enslavement, the remaining gift package has been revised.)

FOUR hours of recorded whale songs,

THREE deconstructionist poets,

TWO Sierra Club calendars printed on recycled processed tree carcasses, and...

ONE Spotted Owl activist chained to an old-growth pear tree.

So... Merry Christmas. Happy Chanukah. Good Kwanzaa. Blessed Yule. Rockin' Ramadan. Serene Solstice. Divine Dewali. Happy Holidays! (unless otherwise prohibited by law)

Unless, of course, you are suffering from Seasonally Affected Disorder (SAD). If this be the case, please substitute this gratuitous call for celebration with the suggestion that you have a thoroughly adequate day.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Wed. 12/18/02 08:59:09 AM
Categorized as Social/Cultural.