> >Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 10:05:13 -0600 > >From: Steve Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: RE: [AIR-L] digital divide > > > >Now, I know the source of the article I'm forwarding is going to > >provoke howls of derisive laughter, and that's not my intention. > >Rather, the quotes from Levin are nothing if not frightening, and > >particularly pertinent to Steve Biggs's concerns as expressed in the > >second half of his post, and should be particularly pertinent to all > >of us interested in not just the Net's future but the world's. > > > >Sj > > > > >http://www.drudgereport.com/mat28k.htm > > > > > >WASHINGTON -- JULY 27, 2000 22:09 UTC-- AOL chief executive Steve Case and > > >TIME WARNER chief executive Gerald Levin testified Thursday before a > > >complete panel at the Federal Communications Commission. > > > > > >But candid comments made by Levin earlier this year during a media > > >roundtable have some lawmakers in Congress concerned that something is foul > > >with the latest greatest media marriage. > > > > > >Levin recently warned: In the post-Cold War era there is only "American > > >cultural imperialism." > > > > > >"There's no countervailing force, that's a significant problem," declared > > >the man who will become the most powerful media executive in history if an > > >AOL/TIME WARNER merger is approved by federal regulators. > > > > > >Levin sees a future where major media corporations take on responsibilities > > >currently administered by governments. > > > > > >"We're going to need to have these corporations redefined as instruments of > > >public service because they have the resources, they have the reach, they > > >have the skill base, and maybe there's a new generation coming up that wants > > >to achieve meaning in that context and have an impact, and that may be a > > >more efficient way to deal with society's problems than governments," > > >predicted Levin. > > > > > >A summary of Levin's past comments were circulated behind committee doors > > >this week, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including Levin's belief that an > > >"old-fashioned regulatory system" has to give way to a new "global concern." > > > > > >"It does appear that Mr. Levin has greater designs than simply running an > > >entertainment conglomerate," said one Republican lawmaker, who would like to > > >question Levin on his fellings about "American cultural imperialism." > > > > > >At the TIMEWARNER Global Forum gathering in Shanghai last year, Levin > > >introduced Communist China's President Jiang Zemin, calling him "my good > > >friend." > > > > > >Levin presented him with a bust of Abraham Lincoln. > > > > > >Levin, who refused to meet with human rights representatives during the > > >trip, told vaunted visitors that Jiang can reel off the Gettysburg address > > >from memory. > > > > > >But can Jiang - or Gerry, for that matter - recite Lincoln's letter to > > >William F. Elkins, November 21, 1864? > > > > > >"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes > > >me to tremble for the safety of my country...corporations have been > > >enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money > > >power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the > > >prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and > > >the Republic is destroyed." > > > > > >Thought not. >
