TV Propositions' Intentions

I am so sick of the campaign commercials for the propositions. They are so repetitive and they don't even really explain what the proposition is all about. They use such heavy propaganda with the intent to encourage or discourage the audience from voting for one party, and hammer it into your head so it stays there. These proposition campaigns also use quotes out of context from the original documentation. This can change the whole meaning of the point being discussed. Political groups use this to their advantage to attack the opposing campaign, often blurring the real truth and omitting important details that can affect the voter’s opinion. It’s all about the image of the proposition, not the actual facts. Luckily when general election time comes around they send out booklets explaining every proposition in depth. Furthermore they even sum each one up in a sweet little package for the voters that don’t want to go through the entire documentation so they have no excuse to not know what they are voting for unless they are alliterate. Being alliterate means that a person only chooses to read when they have to, like for work. It is commonly known that a lot of people in the U.S. can’t read or choose not to. We rank 49th in the illiteracy rate, and that isn’t even including the people that can read yet choose not to. They make decisions solely on what they see and hear on TV, mistaking many things presented as fact when they are actually generalized, heavily diluted, or just made up. A lot of those individuals don’t even know what they are voting for b/c they don’t have all the necessary facts to make an educated decision. So when the Official Voter Information Guide is mailed to “responsible” voters, some of them take one look at the booklet and toss it in the corner where it sits there collecting dust with the rest of the books that they have neglected. Then they happily trot off to “do their part” when they have in their minds only what they saw on TV from those advertising campaigns commanded by political propaganda bullshit instead of basing their educated opinions on the real facts! While the actual illiterates can’t defend themselves from the ads, b/c they don’t have the ability to consume the facts unless someone tells them. This is the role of those campaign ads. The people that drive these proposition campaigns know a good sum of people like to take the easy way out, so they target the non-readers and TV viewers. They tell people what to think often misinforming the audience. Political propaganda plays a dirty game and can heavily influence an opinion. Just remember there are two sides to everything and always get the facts! Check out this video

I watched the new "Celebrity Paranormal Project" that aired last night on VH1. It's about 5 celebrities that visit a supposedly haunted location. They go inside the haunted location and try to see or hear any paranormal activity. I don't know what to believe... I mean it's on TV so chances are it is probably staged but the people that share the experiences with the beyond seem genuinely scared. What is interesting is that when the celebs get their assignments the base command tells them the whole story about the deceased they are trying to connect with. So the celebs automatically have this image and idea in their head of what they are going to see. They also can’t return to the base until they have completed their assignment. The cognitive perception is easily fooled when the idea is already presented in their mind. So it is hard to determine whether the images the experiences are real. I also think that this show is a little disrespectful towards the dead. The people go in and contact the dead just so they can have the experience. I do believe in spirits and maybe some of them are trapped but I don't think that it is right to disturb the dead. It’s not like they are trying to free the spirits so they can “cross over.” It seems more for the purpose of entertainment, even so when I was watching the show it did give me chills at some points. I wonder if the celebs get paid for it…

American Beauty

So I came across an advertisement for American Laser Centers. It’s a full page ad with an attractive blonde hotty on the right hand side. On the left there is a small caption saying: American Beauty-“Looking gorgeous is easy when you choose with confidence” This of course suggests to choose American Laser Centers. I think this ad uses stereotypes. The woman used is a blonde hair, blue eyed beauty. This is such a big stereotype of the all American girl. Remember those old movies with the high school chicks? They were the perfect package of the all American girl. But what is interesting is that this girl in the ad isn’t a natural blonde. She has dark roots, and flawless skin… artificial beauty. Whatever happened to the “natural beauty?” Women in America are becoming more fake every day; fake breasts, fake tans, fake fingernails. Plastic surgery is at an all time high, fake breasts, fake skin, fake face. We constantly cover our faces with shit. We are all looking for a quick fix b/c people have become lazy. Not to mention those TV shows, “Dr 90210”, “Extreme Makeover”, or “I Want a Famous Face.” This country has an obsession with physical perfection. From the outside eye, women are portrayed as beautiful and perfect… but they are totally fake! Those women with 5 inch long nails bleach blonde hair, orange tinted skin from “fakin’ bake.” Sometimes it’s really sickening. What’s wrong with having your natural skin? Why do you have to have butt implants and D cups? I guess this is more appealing to many than less b/c it’s taking over our idea of being beautiful...

straight up

First I would like to say that I am not going to talk about what other people wrote. I Love Lucy, All in the Family, Mash... didn't we talk about all those in class? Whatever, I am going to be honest. First I have to say BBC World News is number one. I watch the news a lot and after watching Fox, or CNN, or ABC news networks. I turn on the BBC World News to see what is really going on. Let's face it our news networks are all the same, sometimes focusing on trivial things that are only for entertainment. And really what happened to news isn't supposed to have an opinion? That is so dead here! You flick through the channels only to find that each news show is talking about the same thing...BBC shows you what is happening in the world without repeating the same damn headline over and over again. I find this really important. It might not be so influential with society and all but that's how I feel straight up.

Second I would have to give it to Reading Rainbow. This show along with Sesame Street encouraged reading among many children. It's interesting to know that LeVar Burton, who is also known for his roles in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation, which were also influential TV shows. Reading Rainbow Reading Rainbow has won 7 Emmy awards for Outstanding Children's Series over the last 10 years. Celebs like Bill Cosby have guest starred on the show to read to the children(actually i think i remember that one). This show was very influential for kids and still is.

Third I have to hail to South Park. I can not express how much I love this show. It mainly focuses on "American culture and current events, and challenges deep-seated convictions and taboos, usually employing parody and black comedy"-Wikipedia. Examples of some episodes: when Paris Hilton comes to town "stupid spoiled whore", the conflict with Michael Jackson, and most recently the one with Bush and 911. That one was great! At the end of every episode there usually is an important, heart felt lesson expressed by one of the 4 boys. Each episode focuses on something that is or has taken place in recent events, which gives fans something to relate to. Unless you get those "crab people" episodes that are totally random. It is also interesting to know that Cartmen's character, that butt hole, is based on Archie Bunker. Even though this show is not aimed towards kids, seeing that it is on at 10pm, they probably still watch it-which is the parent's fault by the way. Anyway this show has gained much popularity and some harsh criticisms from many public protests, religious groups and so on. But Matt Stone and Trey Parker just use it for inspiration often reflecting the shows criticisms in their episodes. They are genius.

Take It To The Limit

I am a divided fan of Howard Stern. I saw Private Parts many times and have enjoyed it every time. I do watch the show sometimes with my husband b/c there is just nothing else like it. The stuff that goes down on that show, sometimes, is pretty disgusting but I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes I feel like he goes way too far, but then again I still watch to see what will happen. Howard definitely takes it to the limit and then some. I think it is a good example of how much freedom you can really have in this country, even when media is constantly censored and restrained, but then again Stern is now totally uncensored. If I had satellite radio and enough time to listen to it while driving, I would listen to the show. It beats the other asses I hear on the radio in the morning in that short time I commute to school. The regular guests (at least on the episodes I've seen on demand) consist of porn stars and celebrities or something along those lines. Did anyone see the latest one with Dustin Diamond? I heard that was worth watching, ha ha. Oh and I can't believe how far they went with the Sybian-it was a birthday present to Howard. It is used a great deal on the show, I don't dare put a link up for that but click here for the link to the website. And you can't forget about the crew, specifically Artie and Robyn, but the other guys are pretty entertaining as well.

Behind the Screens

The movie “A Face in the Crowd” is a compelling story, written by Budd Schulberg and directed by Elia Kazan in 1957. This story is full of cynical humor and scheming characters. It also gives today’s present audience an idea of what life used to be like when mass media was still young and how people fell to the power of persuasion in advertising. Larry or “Lonesome” Rhodes, played by Andy Griffith, is a tumble weed just rolling with the wind, when Marcia Jeffries, played by Patricia Neal discovers him in a jail house interview while trying to find some interesting personalities for her radio talk show. Marcia is a business savvy, yet naïve woman who finds a spark of interest in Lonesome Rhodes’s personality. Rhodes appears to be a simple, well-spoke, country boy who can give the people a good piece of mind and what they crave, when he is in fact the exact opposite. So Marcia puts him on the radio encouraging Rhodes to do the Early Bird Show on KGRK radio and wham bam he is an overnight sensation. It all seems innocent at first, Rhodes tells it like it is and the people love it. But when the big heads realize that Rhodes actually has power over the people they seek to obtain his influence on America. When the over night sensation gains fans, sponsors and endorsements, his success gives him more power which turns him into a symbol of knowledge and influence. On his path to corruption Lonesome Rhodes is twisted into a sick maniacal, power hungry man. “This whole country's just like my flock of sheep! Hillbillies, hausfraus - everybody that's got to jump when someone else blows a whistle! They're mine!” This quote accurately describes Rhodes to his rotten core when the power of mass persuasion consumes him and fame and fortune goes to his head. Rhodes spins out of control spewing any rubbish that people will listen to, and influencing political powers in order to obtain higher ratings from fans. The sweet irony of this story is that Lonesome Rhodes becomes a manipulative, dishonest tramp of the media; the very thing that he used to criticize which also makes him a hypocrite, to add to the satire his pure image is shattered by his very maker, Marcia, and his true nature is revealed. Watch as this timeless classic of wealth, power, and corruption unfolds behind the screens in “A Face in the Crowd.”

Money Saver

To respond to the current Skype issue, I don't live on campus so it doesn't directly have an affect on me, but I do use it nonetheless. My husband's parents live in Poland and we use Skype every day to keep in touch with them. It is a big money saver for us. If we didn't have Skype we would be paying quite a sum on our phone bill. We were calling them using our regular service before we had Skype and it was costing like $2-$4 a minute or something ridiculous like that! I think that skype helps students out with their money and being student we need our money! Any way hurray for Skype :)

Above the Law

These days it seems like a lot of high class people are above the law. Is this fair? Celebrity Paris Hilton was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Thursday after "driving erratically" and failing a field sobriety test, police said. "The DUI charge would be a misdemeanor. Hilton has been released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court at the end of the month, at which time she will learn if she will be charged." Do celebrity convicted criminals get lighter sentences than ordinary people? I doubt that they would wonder about charging anybody else. I thought that the law was the law and nobody is above the law. But you always here about the one that got away. Celebs are usually receiving lesser punishments then "ordinary people" these days. Take the case of famous Michael Jackson. And what about what really happens when celebs are arrested. Sometimes the public doesn't even get to hear what really went down. The case of Mel Gibson is appalling! I didn't know he said and did all that stuff? Sources say that the Deputy that handled the case was told to write another report with omitted details for the public, probably to maintain the celeb's image. They called "sanitizing the report." That is messed up. I think that celebs should be shown in their true light, they are supposed to be somewhat of a role model figure for the public!