At this momentous moment in Egypt, we thought last week we'd dial up some good ol' moment-by-moment, CNN-style coverage in real time on the streets of Cairo.
But where would you find such coverage? T'weren't CNN. Twasn't or CBN, Tisn't MSNBC or twatn't Fox News ... or TBS or CBS or BBC or NBC or the CBC.
So we ransacked our teevee dial (we get 324 stations in our house) for Al Jazeera, the Arab-owned and operated network that dominates Middle East coverage, and is ubiquitous in Europe, Africa, Asia, and ... Ohio!
Other than in a handful of pockets across the U.S. - including Ohio, Vermont and Washington, D.C. - cable carriers do not give viewers the choice of watching Al Jazeera. That corporate censorship comes as American diplomats harshly criticize the Egyptian government for blocking Internet communication inside the country and as Egypt attempts to block Al Jazeera from broadcasting.
Fox reports and we decide (or deride); we lean forward (and a little to the left) with Rachel, Ed, and Larry; we bath our frotal lobes in the dopamine of grokking that CNN is "The Best Political Team on Television."
But when it comes to reporters who know the difference between Dubai and Quatar, Sunni and Shia; can ride a camel or had fingernails pulled out with pliers for ending a sentence with a preposition, it's Al Jazeera. Can Rachel walk seven times around the Kabba without being recognized as a nonbeliever and severely beaten?
Turns out the absence of AJ on basic cable was leftover from the Bush2 First Amendment destruction policies.
We asked a Comcast Customer Care™ representative about it the other night, and she offered a free movie if we promised not to keep haranguing her about it. Those were her words: "Stop haranguing me... bitch!"
We hadn't even realized our voice was raised; we empathized momentarily with the religionists, then chose Bill Maher's Religulous, watched it for the 12th time, and felt again that marvelous "peace that passeth understanding" that goes with great satire.
It's sad and wrong that corporations don't think we're adult enough to handle Arab-run teevee. They seem to have no problem with media by Mormons, Pat Robertson, shadowy billionaires, or Sun Myung Moon.
Lf corse yo would want Al Jazeera, Hood, you socialist, diversity-junkie.
Posted by: schrimbodini | February 07, 2011 at 12:04 PM
i am sure it is online at justintv.com
Posted by: dave, not dave ross | February 07, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Listening to the radio this afternoon..you have to read European or Asian newspapers to learn that the Muslim Brotherhood is staunchly against an Islamic form of government.
Posted by: sparky | February 07, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Fox and the right-wingers are demonizing Obama by demonizing the Musim Brotherhood, who's very name makes them guilty of being bad guys.
Posted by: Sartooth | February 07, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Just a few thoughts - the left whines, pisses and moans about the Koch Brothers contributing millions to conservatives and the Tea Party.
but when the millions contributed by George Soros to the liberal progressives is mentioned - no problem. If anything, Soros and the Open Society funding mechanism is more widespread and deeper than the Koch Brothers. Granted, conservatives are pissed off about this and justifiably so. Soros and his minions are out to destroy our freedoms with their one-world cabal. Soros would like instability in the middle east because it helps his bankroll (i.e. Egypt). The lib progs dislike the Koch Bros. are doing because they are the counter weight to Soros.
Go ahead - call me a Beckophile or a beckerhead, but I'll laugh back because there are other credible sources that I have read that have come to this conclusion. Basically, I don't give a shit what you all might think and more power to anyone who agrees.
Posted by: KS | February 07, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Just another thought, the right bemoans a left leaning rich dude every time the right wing rich dude is criticized. The left winger is trying to do something for the people and the righty is trying to screw us all. Ok I’ll call you a Becker head, “Becker head”, because no one else is that stupid.
Welcome back KS….
Posted by: BlackRhino | February 07, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Beckophile
Posted by: Coiler | February 07, 2011 at 08:46 PM
KS you haven't been paying attention.
Soros decided to pull back from funding the Dems for awhile. It was a problem during the elections in November.
We have tried to move on from the "you do it too" conversations.
Posted by: sparky | February 07, 2011 at 08:55 PM
2hrs and 33minutes. The time it took Sparky to realize how childish her post in the Beck thread was. Maybe that was why i changed my politics. I didnt want to start whining my way into other peoples living rooms about how the repubs are not acting fast enough. Would it be silly of me to say Sparky defended Obama on this blog when the right leaning posters started whining that Obama wasnt moving fast enough. No games from me. None of this... "Na na na na na...you did then so now i will now just to show you"...stuff. Sparky if you are older than 18, please act your age. This blog already as a young'un in rhino.
Posted by: Progressive Blog Junkie | February 07, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Soros again? Who the hell let KS back in?
It has been such a nice blog and nobody at all said "Soros" even once.
Back to the thread: I litened to Amy Goodman over the week and she got a lot of her information from Al Jezeera She was constantly updating even while interviewing various guests.
As for your "few thoughts," KS, if you'll notice your's is the longest post so far and says the least about the topic.
Frankly, I"m not calling you anything. I wish you'd go away again.
Posted by: joanie | February 07, 2011 at 09:35 PM
And now how does a Progressive defend the President when he tells O'Rally that the toughest part of being president is watching the Superbowl in a suit. I cant think of anyway to defend this. What about the dead soldiers wives, mothers, and fathers he had to write letters home to sadly say they gave their life for their country. I couldnt say he was joking. Because he then seriously answered that it was "the bubble" he was in. What a mess the Progressive have to sort through. Undefensible. Like Green Bays Offense.
Posted by: Progressive Blog Junkie | February 07, 2011 at 09:36 PM
PB&J;
Psychoanalyzing so early?
Posted by: BlackRhino | February 07, 2011 at 09:46 PM
As for your "few thoughts," KS, if you'll notice your's is the longest post so far and says the least about the topic.
Frankly, I"m not calling you anything. I wish you'd go away again.
Posted by: joanie | February 07, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Hard to say less than your posts, Ph(J)oanie which said nothing. The feeling is mutual - go away & take a trip to Baffin Island without your students. As long as you are here with your echo chamber - it's going to get lonely in stretches with a few dissenters that pass by, but now the thrill is gone and that includes the one up Chris Matthews' leg from 2008.
Posted by: KS | February 07, 2011 at 10:11 PM
PB&J hasn't noticed that there's little defending of the President on this blog. Do you know of a mess we have to sort our way through, Rhino? I don't. You think PB&J is used to messes on the right? Think maybe he's projecting a bit?
Posted by: joanie | February 07, 2011 at 10:12 PM
We have al jazeera tv. It is called Current TV here. It is the struggling network started by Algore.
With all of the praying the members of the Church of Algore have been chanting, it looks like they may just have found their Savior.
Joanie, are you ready to get a little wet?
Algore TV will announce the signing of %*&^# &*)#$&$@ to their network.
Posted by: Right Leaning and Right | February 07, 2011 at 10:30 PM
Well, Rat Bastard, these your friends? I hope not. We seem to be in for another Soros AlGoreum ad nauseum.
Posted by: joanie | February 07, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Oh joanie, there you go again with the negatives. I just wanted to wet your whistle for tomorrows announcement that Algore's network, Current TV has signed Mr Keith Olbermann to a new deal.
As for the rest of you,you can frequently get Al jazeera tv simulcast on LinkTV, channel 375 to DirecTV subscribers.
Posted by: Right Leaning and Right | February 07, 2011 at 11:16 PM
That's right!!! I said it.
Keith Olbermann has a job.
Posted by: Right Leaning and Right | February 07, 2011 at 11:18 PM
When will you get one?
Posted by: Coiler | February 07, 2011 at 11:22 PM
I have two. Both of them suck but get the kids tuition paid and put meat on the table.
Posted by: Right Leaning and Right | February 07, 2011 at 11:30 PM
324 stations at your house? You are getting screwed by (right wing)
Comcast.
I cancelled my Comcast. I invite people to do the same.
[Why give those really right corporations any business].
Posted by: Howdie | February 08, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Glad to hear Obermann is comming back, the sooner the better. We need more people out there that expose the Repukeican lies. Any one ever notice the right spews their FACTS it usually an opinion from a right wing nut as opposed to the left or center that back up their claims with documents or actual film clips??
Posted by: saintrudy | February 08, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Hey Peanutbutterjellytime:
"Republican Rep. John Kline is a sponsor of a resolution in the U.S. House that would reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto and encourages the posting of the motto on government buildings and in public schools."
Where are the jobs Mr. Boner??
Posted by: sparky | February 08, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Oh yes...also in the House, a bill was introduced by the Democrats to make it a rule that flags draped over the coffins of returning dead soldiers be American Made.
The republicans voted no. Can't be protectionists, ya know.
So, Im really enjoying watching how the Republicans are showing us, by golly, how to run a government!
Posted by: sparky | February 08, 2011 at 07:51 PM
Can't we get back to paying people to dig holes in the ground and then paying them to fill them in again?
Where's my govt holez, dammit! ;-)
Posted by: BUBBA | February 08, 2011 at 07:56 PM
They haven't said anything about job creation because they have no ideas for job creation. And no interest in it.
Posted by: gregoverlander | February 08, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Here's what they must do:
They must commission an artist to produce a poster of Ronald Reagan, Jesus Christ, and Sarah Palin kneeling before a flag waving Glenn Beck, and then demand that this poster be placed in every public and private building in the country. That should keep them busy for a while.
Posted by: beltane | February 08, 2011 at 08:05 PM
No way Republicans are going to work on creating jobs.
More jobs will mean a better economy.
A better economy strengthens Obama politically going into the 2012 campaign season.
So all they are going to do is fart around & pander to the birthers, abortion nuts & the other clueless idiots who sent them to Washington.
stercus accidit.
Posted by: wyvern | February 08, 2011 at 08:10 PM
stercus accidit.
Posted by: wyvern | February 08, 2011 at 08:10 PMWin wyvern!
And the cons thought they were the only latin-nista’s around these parts.
Posted by: BlackRhino | February 08, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Thanks.
Posted by: wyvern | February 08, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Shit happens!! Obama is living proof.
Posted by: Right Leaning and Right | February 08, 2011 at 09:29 PM
Ohh, someone has a bit of brains…isn’t that cute?
Posted by: BlackRhino | February 08, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Well, if someone did get paid to put up all those posters of the religious righties, at least they'd have a job.
Gotta look at the bright side, beltrane.
It's the only positive I see on the horizon.
Posted by: joanie | February 08, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Sparky, if you are looking for jobs just read your own post. I see it as a start. Like Cash for Klunkers was. It got the auto companies back in shape. This resolution, at no cost to the Government (unlike the $4 billion Obama spent) could possibly create 5 full time jobs in every county in the US. Lets see if the Progressives give it a chance.
Posted by: Progressive Blog Junkie | February 08, 2011 at 11:44 PM
The solution for jobs is adopting at least some of the measures recommended by the Deficit commission formed by the President. Since they came out with their recommendations, the White House has given them the cold shoulder.
The Deficit commissions' recommendations would significantly reduce the spending and make the Federal Government smaller, but it would also help create jobs, Sparky - as the private sector would feel less uncertainty about the future and start hiring. Boehner, nor Obama, or Reid cannot create jobs - they can only get out of the way by repealing some of the onerous regulations and lowering corporate tax rates (which they will whine and squeal about doing) - makes one wonder - do they really care about jobs ? Maybe a little, but they are most concerned about retaining power in 2012.
Posted by: KS | February 09, 2011 at 10:29 PM
What kind of compensation are these retired folk on the commission making?
Posted by: Coiler | February 09, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Yes, polluting water and air with cancerous toxins is sure the way to create jobs. And my social security money could probably keep somebody employed for a couple years . . . at slave wages.
But then, that's the future isn't it? And lowering tax rates - when we have te lowest tax rates in the world already - is sure going to bring those jobs back aren't they?
"Certainty" - what a gulp of propaganda.
Posted by: joanie | February 10, 2011 at 08:00 AM
"lowest corporate tax rates" already.
Posted by: joanie | February 10, 2011 at 08:01 AM