Tuesday, March 16, 2004
spain & the larry flynt precedent
As outsiders survey the enthusiasm with which Spain's new socialist leader strives to portray himself, in his own words, as "un gilipollas integral" (a complete dickhead, see the Telegraph's editorial) , one aspect of this affair is already sadly clear:
That fear is an exploitable force with respect to any given electorate.
Larry Flynt knew this when he brazenly sought personal information about Republican Congressmen prior to their vote on the impeachment of former President Clinton. Flynt's activities coincided with the timely resignations of some key Republicans.
The US media establishment pretty much turned a blind eye to this at the time, or at least they chose not to address the democracy-threatening gravity the issue seemed to present.
In the rush to gain political advantage from the Spanish conundrum, we already see the New York Times and others basking ("basqing"?) in what they loudly trumpet as a blow to President Bush (see article), even as the US strives to replace it's martial rule with democracy in Iraq within a few months .
Due condemnation of the sickening perpetrators of the ruthless and calculated mass-murder of Spanish innocents has been obfuscated, as has the issue of suspected Iraqi- or Al Qaeda-sponored bribery of key American allies.
That fear is an exploitable force with respect to any given electorate.
Larry Flynt knew this when he brazenly sought personal information about Republican Congressmen prior to their vote on the impeachment of former President Clinton. Flynt's activities coincided with the timely resignations of some key Republicans.
The US media establishment pretty much turned a blind eye to this at the time, or at least they chose not to address the democracy-threatening gravity the issue seemed to present.
In the rush to gain political advantage from the Spanish conundrum, we already see the New York Times and others basking ("basqing"?) in what they loudly trumpet as a blow to President Bush (see article), even as the US strives to replace it's martial rule with democracy in Iraq within a few months .
Due condemnation of the sickening perpetrators of the ruthless and calculated mass-murder of Spanish innocents has been obfuscated, as has the issue of suspected Iraqi- or Al Qaeda-sponored bribery of key American allies.
