Author: Norman Solomon
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The Limits of Media Dream Machines
A recent Associated Press dispatch – headlined “Gadget May Help Sleepers Choose Dreams” – told the story of a new product that “can be programmed to help sleepers choose what to dream.” Made in Japan, the 14-inch gizmo is called “Dream Workshop.” After so much progress has been made to ravage the natural environment all…
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Nader Adrift
Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is standing on a bar of soap in a political rainstorm. Midway through 2004, while his electoral base shrinks, one of the great American reformers of the 20th century is drifting out to sea. When the Green Party’s national convention refused to endorse Mr. Nader for president a few days ago,…
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Why I Changed My Voter Registration Today
This morning I mailed a form changing my party registration from “decline to state” to the Green Party. It’s a tiny individual step in response to a hugely important collective action — the party’s decision at its national convention to nominate David Cobb for president. A majority of the delegates went for a…
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The News Media’s Political “F” Word
When a federal judge compares George W. Bush to Benito Mussolini, is that newsworthy? After the conservative daily New York Sun broke the story about a speech by Judge Guido Calabresi of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, few media outlets even mentioned what he had to say. “In a way that occurred before but…
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Presidential Campaigns and Media Charades
Political myth-making goes into overdrive every four years. With presidential campaigns fixated mostly on media, an array of nonstop spin takes its toll while illogic often takes hold: When heroes are absent, they’re invented. When convenient claims are untrue, they’re defended. Many supporters come to function as enablers — staying silent or mimicking their candidate’s…