Oil Spills and Such

I used to ask my students how they would find out the truth of, say, a news story, suggesting to them they could not count on the news media, for instance. Their abbreviated reports, their need for readers/listeners/viewers, their editorial agenda, etc. All would interfere with the truth.

Today I ask the same question, because we have the story--and it's a big one--from so many sources. BP tells its truth, the federal government a different story, the Coast Guard another, the Navy, the folks who are on those few and small stretches of beach doing "clean up," reporters with limited access or skewed perspective, former BP employees, and anyone with something against any of those entities. Any or all may not be worthy of belief.

And it is possible that all news, or most of it, is filtered through BP. It's their oil, after all, their deal.

I wonder, do all parties have something to gain in this thing? Is there some profit to be made by hiding the facts?

Or is there someone, anyone, anywhere, who is actually disinterested, objective? Even objectivity is no promise of the truth.

Some pretend to objectivity, pretend to say the truth. Some may believe what they tell. Others just don't know the whole story. Does anyone?

Can anyone? I don't think so.

So who tells the truth?

I say, no one. Not really.

I am not a cynic. I may be an idealist shocked and disappointed a few too many times. But I simply believe we will never know the truth of this thing.

And I'm not sure most of us really want to know. We're usually happy with the quick reports. They're quite enough, thanks.

This and That

I guess I'll find out if Muslims read this blog, because I'm about to say, "Look out. They are taking over the world. Truly they are." So check on me once in a while. And I'm not kidding.

For instance, look at population data in Europe, particularly France and The Netherlands, and in Canada and the US--just for starters. And it's the IHH, the Muslim factor in Turkey, that is leading that country's tirade against Israel and advocating a severing of relations over the flotilla incident.

I suppose we shouldn't be surprised. It's kind of scriptural, you know. I just don't like witnessing it.

And so on.

I still stand with Israel. Fewer and fewer of us do. Seen a production of Fiddler on the Roof lately? And Mark Steyn says The Diary of Anne Frank is now on the do not read or produce list in Holland.

By the way, I'm not through on the Arizona issue, but that post is likely to be lengthy, given what I've been reading recently. So later. For now, I still stand with the state's right to establish laws regarding illegal immigration into it--the state--without the federal government overturning the laws.

No. I don't have it in for anyone. I will add, though, that I am sick and tired of King Barak. Hmm, new subject. Did British Petroleum give him $1,000,000 for his campaign? Yes, that is true. Didn't he let them slide on the safety issues? Oh dear, here I go.

Later.

Arizona

So NBC did a poll about Arizona's immigration law.

Results: 61% support the law; 39% do not.

Yes, I'd like to know who responded or how many people they polled or where those people live. Still, I ask, do such results mean nothing? Someone on the federal level--maybe the president and his flunkies--ought to pay attention.

Betty White, and isn't it a shame

This post is similar to the one on Carol's Corner, but it's not identical. Why do I post it twice? Because I am really disappointed, at least times two.

In 1952 I was 11 and we lived in Santa Monica. Betty White had a local TV show, Life With Elizabeth, co-starring Jim Backus. I loved the show, and I loved her. From then on I have liked to see her in whatever role she has played; even the stupid skits on Johnny Carson were often funny, if sometimes shady. She's good, fun, smart.

Now she's old, 88, but she is not dead and neither is her career. I have liked her in her occasional appearances on TV, and I liked her in The Proposal. So it was logical that I watch as she hosted Saturday Night Live. Of course, I have seen the show, but it is generally vulgar and stupid, so I do not watch it. And I should have known because of the over-hype about it.

I did feel some apprehension, because I figured the writers would hardly change just because the host is someone I like. Right I was to be apprehensive. She even said the F word. Why? Just to prove she could? Disgusting and quite disappointing.

Vulgar? Yes, and beyond the merely suggestive. And, really, those are all old jokes, if you can call them jokes.
Stupid? Very. And no imagination exhibited by the writers. I mean there are other themes that could have emerged beyond that of her age. Aren't there?
Funny? Not in the least.
Disappointing? Well, yes, because I expected she might be a cut above the crap. But she isn't.

I couldn't watch the whole thing, and I felt it was not a good beginning to my sabbath.

And It's My Right, too

Let's all go to Arizona carrying a placard advocating that state's rights. In fact, all states' rights.
At least, let us all remember that principle.

I Like It

Parents were invented to make children happy by giving them something to ignore.
- Ogden Nash

What I Think

You can quote me on this, but I'm not sure anyone will:

Beautiful people don't always know that people who are not beautiful are also beautiful.