Quick Link --
An important -- though small -- group of people worked to get the word out about the story of how Corporations were gradually given most of the rights of persons, in legal practice. This was the Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy (POCLAD). The door to this nefarious and devious scheme was opened in the nineteenth century by a clerk's erroneous emendation to a Supreme Court ruling. The web site below has archived documents on this fascinating and important study.
A few weeks ago, I promised more entries here about the role of the press and the media in the America of now. So here is an example: In this week's Sunday edition, The Washington Post declared in a bold headline that President Biden is "above water" in polling results, but at an average below that of recent Presidents other than Trump at this point in their terms.
With all due respect, this is -- professionally speaking -- idiocy. Why is it idiocy? It is so on several grounds. First I am not aware of what "above water" means when applied to Presidential polling. I am familiar with the term relating to mortgages, but in this context it is awkward and imprecise, to say the least.
Further, the headline attempts to leave Mr. Trump completely out of the picture, a decidedly dubious stance. Moreover with a sharply divided country, which is part of the Trump legacy, President Biden standing above 50% in approval is a major accomplishment, something no other candidate in the race could likely have achieved.
Finally, is not a certain noted Washington newspaper trying to appear "even-handed" in its reporting, by being "tough" on President Biden, just as they were with Trump? This does have its hilarious aspect.
So we come to the matter of truth. Do headlines such as this serve the public interest, with their combination of hubris and dishonesty? After all, context does matter. A majority of the public agrees President Biden is doing somewhere between a good and a terrific job -- under these circumstances.
Let America be grateful. Watchful, yes, and critical as needed, sure. But let us be freed from this soupy, muddy attention-mongering of some headline crafters.
Quick Post --
Over at Technopoly Alert, word has it the May issue of Astronomy magazine tells of what would look like an invading flotilla of sails with no real ship attached appearing above a planet of the nearest star to us after the sun.
Read more here:
Please read the article at the link below. It has the power to save lives.
With an innocuously titled article, "Lost in Thought," Harper's magazine has printed a stunning picture of the dangers of eastern meditation, even for persons without underlying "conditions." The work of the author here is surprising, and oh, so useful. I love this article even though the topic is utterly serious.
The practice of meditation was developed as a tool for monks in Buddhist monasteries many centuries ago. It was not intended for novices, but only for those who already had a background in Buddhist teachings.
In the late nineteenth century, however, practitioners -- adherents and teachers of Buddhism -- began to advocate for and offer the techniques to beginners. Now, retreats are being offered to those with little real knowledge of the teachings of the faith.
Sadly, there have been some horrible results, including the fate of one attendee described so clearly here.
The article is very well and professionally written, and with feeling. Highly recommended.
From the April issue of Harper's:
The Dangers of Eastern Meditation
Photo Credit: Doc Savage
