FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States

FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States:

Praise Allah, for soon every American city shall be plagued with disaster and hardship,” al-Zawahiri said in the video, which includes several minutes of footage of young, masked al-Qaeda militants casually sipping beverages as they thumb through the latest issues of Time and U.S. News And World Report. “The infidels have brought this pain and destruction upon themselves through their arrogance and callousness. Soon, the United States will watch in horror as its bridges crumble, its desperate citizens suffer in want of medicine and paying employment, and its once vast riches are reduced to naught. The righteous warriors among our ranks must now unite, get comfortable, and look on from afar at the calamity unfolding in the West.”

“We vow that we will not cease sitting around and laughing it up until America is reduced to rubble,” he continued.

We have met the enemy, and it is us.

2 Questions:

• Why is The Onion now a source of real commentary?
• Why is no one else saying the obvious?

Objectivity is a Lie

Anyone who believes in objective journalism is a Chump.   This sort believes facts are not important.  In this flawed fantasy verbal world, only assertions have meaning. A journalist is part of the world, and therefore has inherent biases based on a number of factors.  Who pays the bill is always a factor.  Thus only toadying authoritarian bootlickers will ever become media stars.  Objectivity is another mindless faith.  Like any religion, the media is not a defender of truth, any more than the Catholic Church is a defender of molested children.

From Bob Schieffer, Ron Paul and journalistic “objectivity”:

Along those lines, Radley Balko has argued [link fixed], with ample documentation of the media’s almost unanimous opposition to any form of liberalization of drug laws, that the real media bias is authoritarianism: loyalty to those who wield power. That's unsurprising: after all, when you watch a media star on TV, what you are seeing in almost every case is an extremely well-paid, high-ranking employee of a major corporate conglomerate. They are the consummate insiders in every single sense. Except in the rarest cases, it would be irrational to expect them to be adversarial to the establishment which is responsible for their status and which lavishes them with so many rewards. Those admitted to the royal court don't make a habit out of agitating against the King; quite the opposite: they become his most loyal and devoted subjects, the ones most eager to protect and defend the monarchy which guarantees them their wealth and status. That's all the Bob Schieffers of the world are doing. Again, there's nothing wrong with it per se, or at least not unusual. It's just the very opposite of “objectivity.”

Contrary to popular wisdom, there aren’t two types of journalists: those who express opinions and those who are objective. The two types are those who honestly acknowledge their opinions and those who deceitfully pretend such opinions do not influence their journalism. One reason modern establishment journalism has become so corrupted and worthless is because of the conceit that they engage in some sort of objective reporting that is free of bias and opinion, even as they are the stalwart defenders of a clear set of political opinions and interests (those wielded by the same power factions which they pretend to hold accountable). Any time someone is tempted to believe these fairy tales of objectivity, they should just re-watch this Schieffer interview. 

Say what you want about Gonzo Journalism, but at least it does not make this fundamental error.  The reporter is always part of the story.  Objectivity is a lie.

Institutional Corruption

1. Institutional corruption negates it own supposed ethics by defining its own failings as acceptable business practices.
2. Despite the accolades, which is the equivalent of celebrating arson, the end result is illegitimate governance and a broken economic system.
3. Only an idiot, a brainless whore (i.e. a member of congress), or a corporate journalist would believe otherwise.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.9.15

9m. Megalomania is nothing new, but mass media allows its reach to be greatly extended. It may touch those susceptible to its delusions far more quicker and wider than would be possible otherwise. Shared media experiences allow for false perceptions of shared sacrifice. Relatively, the virtual and vicarious are therefore highly pliant. Although a minority, it’s drives will sometimes tip the balance. In the media realm, empire is the ultimate expression and aspiration for the herd. Fortunately and unfortunately, nothing really guides or cushions its inevitable stupidities. Systems can be upset by idiots. 

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.8.20

8v. This Modern Warrior Archetype must operate under the media radar. Its focus is pure bile. Anything within its camera lens is reduced, debased and eventually absorbed. In this feeble reality, serious discussion is relegated to the status of entertainment, or exploited for the purpose of fear mongering. The public eye swells the ego. Expect nothing from clowns.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.8.19

8t. Consumerism is an effective means of blunting dissent. Any anti-establishment messages are simply deadened by buying their sources. An entire charade is created as a means to the end of selling the latest in hip rebellion. In addition, a false populism is created and may be exploited to Maximum Advantage by reflecting it back the from the consumerist mirror. The Spectacle is ongoing. The formula is simple: look at that haircut, listen to that music, buy those cloths, but don’t think about reality (and certainly don’t do anything beyond play acting). Hence, what was once an expression of dissatisfaction with the state of the world becomes yet another fashion accessory for Chumps. In this context, a rebel is just a slave who thinks they are free. Selling out only makes things worse. Lest one become just another fad, This Modern Warrior Archetype must be constantly aware of this situation and avoid falling into the trap of popular culture. The less seen, the better. 

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.8.18

 8s. A media, that promotes itself for the sake of itself, will eventually negate its own message. Its pose of impartiality is among the first things to go by the way side. Hence, why bother? Except, one something is exploited to Maximum Advantage then it appears most difficult to break the habit. As stated before, the Technical Morality is like a highly addictive drug. Focus is directed exclusively on obtaining a daily fix. A new formula might go awry, but the standby is tried, true and well sponsored by various societal (and under-societal) interests. As a whole, these concerns have a stake in maintaining an comfortable supply to make the hook up easy. Why mess with a lucrative business? Pushing is done for economic reasons. To stop, one must leave the old environment behind, and go elsewhere. Few manage it.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.8.17

 8r. Media is subject to manipulation, but in and of itself, its Persuasive Techniques[9] are limited. Direct human contact largely negates second hand propaganda. Blatant overuse of propaganda in media can even produce the backlash of widespread disbelief and discreditation of its outlets. However, if a population were socially isolated, then these techniques could prove much more effective than would usually be the case. Hearing nothing substantial to contradict second hand information, the typical citizen would be unable to make a basis of comparison. Hence, with a little market research, the odds are good that a majority would accept most pronouncements. This approach would be especially successful while espousing propaganda tailored towards proclaiming that everything is well and, above all, stable. Few want to believe uncertainty.

[9] See J.A.C. Brown’s Techniques of Persuasion–From Propaganda to Brainwashing, Penguin Books, Middlesex, England 1963.  I will be reviewing this book in the near future.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.8.16

8q. In a technological society, the care shown, or lack thereof, a ruling elite shows while seeking advantage is a direct indicator of the level of spread favoring the Technical Morality. Appearances mean much in an age of constant mass media. Those forgetting their place risk losing everything. A certain sufferance is allowed. Regardless of content or merit, lest backlash be unleashed, some lines should not be crossed even once. Every now and then, the machine demands a sacrifice. At the least, its targets walk away diminished in power. At worst, the entirety may be leveled. The multitude likes to watch destruction.