September 28, 2006

And Hitler Liked Puppies

By J.R. Dunn
An interesting example of a phenomenon that might be called 'mainstreaming' turned up in the New York  Observer's October 2nd edition. That weekly newpaper, while not of enormous circulation, is a trend— and tone—setter among the smart set of media—saturated Manhattan denizens. By the lights of one of its contributors, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's not such a bad fellow, after all. Mainstreaming occurs when a when a dictator, a terrorist leader, an ideologue or some other form of international outlaw previously notable for ugly behavior, threatening rhetoric, and defiance of international norms is given the celebrity treatment by some outlet of the legacy media. Close examination by perceptive reporters reveals a previously unsuspected three—dimensional figure beneath the vicious exterior. He listens to opera! (Mussolini) He likes Western scotch and Glenn Miller! (Yuri Andropov) He drinks bloody marys and enjoys Italian subs! (Castro) It seems that it's...(Read Full Article)