Category Archives: politics

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, or is it?

Perhaps I’m too sensitive to the legion of anti-semitic conspiracy theorists who believe that Jews own the media. Regardless of whether the intention was to send a coded message to the faithful, I think someone at the Corn Refiners Association should have taken a better look at this ad before they put it in newspapers. This picture is from the Washington Post, A16, September 9, 2008. I couldn’t find a pdf of this particular ad:

Above the bagel, in bold: “Could it be another schmear campaign?” The very first sentence under the bagel: “Lately, high fructose corn syrup has had its name dragged through the media.” I think you’re on shaky ground, juxtaposing a broadly worded attack on the media with a bagel. And a bagel with a Yiddish word in the boldface above it, no less.

The ad sends readers to SweetSurprise.com”, and I’m actually going to leave aside any thoughts about the corn-industrial complex, their battle with Big Sugar, or nutrition in general.

Corn farmers are traditionally portrayed in popular culture as paragons of white, wholesome Middle America. I’m bothered by this ad, with it’s suggestion – intentional or unintentional – that the Jewish-controlled media is trying to ruin something people have worked hard to build.

Am I reading too much? What are your thoughts?

Full text of the ad: Lately, high fructose corn syrup has had its name dragged through the media. Truth is, it’s nutritionally the same as table sugar. Has the same number of calories, too. Even registered dietitians agree that you can keep enjoying the foods and beverages you love, just do it in moderation. To get the facts, visit our website. We welcome a healthy discussion.

I have no patience with politicians who try to ban books

I’m thoroughly uninterested in Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter. It shouldn’t be a campaign issue. Cynic that I am, I’ve entertained the theory that the kid is actually wearing a fake baby bump. If you didn’t grow up in the church or understand the mindset well, it may be hard to comprehend: this baby is gold to the McCain camp. Gold. They get sympathy for the attacks from the Left, which will also be spun as the Left wanting the girl to have an abortion, mark my words. More importantly, it’s got all the hallmarks of a feel-good Hallmark channel film. Young lovers, redemption, family togetherness, a wedding, love the sinner not the sin, blahblahblah.

Something that does worry me about Palin is the rumor that’s been swirling in library circles that she’s a book banner. I hadn’t seen (or to be honest looked for) any evidence of this until Jessamyn posted about it at librarian.net, with a link to a Time magazine article:

Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. “She asked the library how she could go about banning books,” he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. “The librarian was aghast.” The librarian, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn’t be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire her for not giving “full support” to the mayor.

I haven’t seen any official comment from the American Library Association, wonder what the First Librarian thinks of this?