a different take on the news
May 17th, 2006 — anti-totalitarianism, free speech, political culture
Read the Sandmonkey.
Be forewarned: The writer of this blog is an extremely cynical, snarky, pro-US, secular, libertarian, disgruntled sandmonkey. If this is your cup of tea, please enjoy your stay here. If not, please sod off.
And support him and his courageous friends in Egypt.
May 17th, 2006 — books, political correctness, publishing
Still no official reaction that I can find to the explosive New York Times Magazine article about the scary future of the book business. Right now, everyone who’s anyone is getting ready to pitch their static products at BEA
Random House pledges that in 2007, ten percent of purchased paper will come from recycled paper fibers, 15 percent in 2008 and 20 percent in 2009.
I wonder where Al Gore would come down on this debate: on the side of the trees or the side of the internets?
May 17th, 2006 — documentaries, politics, pop culture, propaganda
There is, of course, nothing new about using documentary films as a means of political persuasion.
But the documentary phenomenon is catching on again. I first wrote about it in the context of the contentious race for mayor of Newark, New Jersey. And just the other day I followed up with a piece on the broader trend, mentioning Giuliani Time, American Blackout, and An Inconvenient Truth.
In the meantime, pundits have begun to pick up on the themes of Giuliani Time (i.e., Rudy as Benito) and are sharpening their anti-Rudy talking points—evidence, for those who need it, of the effectiveness of long-form video: it allows you to get your message out into the “culture.” (Or at least into the noise. Transmitting a signal is more difficult.)
These documentaries are a double-edged sword, however. Their deadly potential as effective agit-prop was showcased in Holland last week in a 40-minute TV documentary meant to bring down Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Which succeeded.
the accusations now being leveled against MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali have long been known to the public, because she herself has been open about her history on many occasions.
The question remains as to why the matter took so long to become so explosive. The answer is as banal as it is surprising: because VARA, a television station with social democratic leanings, aired a 40-minute documentary last Thursday called “The Holy Ayaan.” VARA’s reporters had traveled all the way to Mogadishu in Somalia to obtain information they could just as easily have found on recordings of their own station’s programs: that Ayaan Hirsi Ali had long since admitted that she lied when she applied for Dutch asylum.
That Hirsi Ali may yet escape revocation of her Dutch citizenship does nothing to remove the dangers lurking in this new-old tool of propaganda.
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Beware.
May 17th, 2006 — anti-totalitarianism, free speech, political speech
Think our freedoms are restricted here in the States? Get a load of what our enlightened Cousins are up to:
[S]tung by a string of tell-all books about working for Mr. Blair’s administration, the U.K. government is taking the unusual step of blocking officials from writing other memoirs that could prove embarrassing.
Under a new rule, civil servants would have to turn over all copyright privileges — and profits — from their books to the government. The aim is to remove the financial incentive to write. The rule isn’t subject to a parliamentary vote and the government is expected to implement it in coming months.
Nice, huh? Here’s the kicker:
There is a twist: the elected officials behind the plan decided not to include themselves — it will apply only to civil servants and political appointees.
May 17th, 2006 — anti-totalitarianism, free speech, political correctness, political culture
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, whom I wrote about here, is the subject of an intense debate in Holland, which has not yet been resolved.
Earlier today, it was announced that her citizenship had been revoked by a government minister, “Iron” Rita Verdonk.
Sometime later, Hirsi Ali, the “Enlightenment fundamentalist,” made a statement thanking her Dutch sponsors and outlining her plans for the future:
I will continue to ask uncomfortable questions, despite the obvious resistance that they elicit. I feel that I should help other people to live in freedom, as many people have helped me. I personally have gone through a long and sometimes painful process of personal growth in this country. It began with learning to tell the truth to myself, and then the truth about myself: I strive now to also tell the truth about society as I see it.
(via Jeff Weintraub)
Now, as I write, it appears that the decision to revoke her citizenship is up in the air.
NOS Journaal reports: that Verdonk will reconcider her decision and coduct an investigation to see whether there are reasons Ayaan could keep her nationality.
It was a brutal debate and lasted until 2.45 AM Dutch time.
The debate was about whether or not Secretary Verdonk had any legal room. Parliament said yes. Verdonk said no.
The result: Verdonk was ordered by Parliament to, considering that there is legal room, start investigating herself to try and see whether there are exceptional circumstances for Ayaan; so that Ayaan still has received her Dutch nationality.
(via lgf)
