[Winona Online Democracy] The Janet Jackson connection to the gay marriage issue is an interesting one.
My e-mail was down for a few days so I was not able to tell WOD about a fantastic line up on Bill Moyer's "NOW" news program (Fridays on PBS from 9:00-10:00 p.m.). Did anyone else happen to watch it? The three topics were: 1. Extreme right wing groups control of talk radio and how other views are being excluded 2. Janet Jackson and the connection to the monopoly consolidation in media 3. How the upper class continues to decrease it's tax burden at the expense of middle and working class people. (Why is it that you only hear about these topics on public television? A thread in itself.) If anyone wants to borrow a copy of the video, I've called to order a copy for myself. I think it should be required viewing by everyone in the media. The second segment had Tom Osbourne, the former Nebraska football coach, and current Republican U.S. Representative in D.C., talking about problems in the media. There is a growing awareness, even among many Republicans, that there is a direct connection between the dismal state of media content and the growing consolidation of media monopolies. Fewer and fewer owners and more and more trash. Some of the Republicans in the House may even have to override their leadership to get votes taken on the issues. How does all this all relate to gay marriage? In a couple ways... 1. Bob Sebo very astutely pointed out that, "The Federal Marriage Amendment for many, I think, represents an opportunity for conservatives to fight back against Janet Jackson, et al...and that is where this thread started if you've been following it since day one. But consider this before you come to the conclusion that the amendment's passage would slow our spiral down into the sewer." I agree that many of the fundamentalists within the Republican Party will use Janet Jackson to fuel their fires of discrimination against gay marriage. But there might be hope, even in Washington D.C. where change happens last, not first, there are Republicans who are seeing the bigger picture when it comes to the media. Remember, it was not leftist radicals who killed Caesar, it was other weathly families who were worried about one person consolidating too much power. Maybe we are beginning to see the rich families of America finally waking up to the power of a few media owners. 2. Bob Sebo also said, "Acceptance of gays and lesbians is growing...but people fear the new and different. I think in ten years this argument will be a relic and we will be a more inclusive society. Right now certain political elements are capitalizing on fear. Names are being taken. Remember Vichy France?" Going back to the moderate Republicans (and conservative Democrats), it is with them that hope lies. Gay rights today are the civil rights of the 1950s and 60s. You know where the progressives, liberals, and Greens among us will stand. Where will the Senator Kierlins and Representative Pelowskis of the world stand? The people who really saddened Martin Luther King Jr. were not the red meat racists, it was the good people who knew better but who remained silent. 3. Lastly, it will be interesting to see how mainstream media handles the issue of gay marriage. I'm not hopeful. It would be interesting to compare this conversation thread with what we'll see/hear in t.v., radio, and newspapers. Steve Schild, Chris Steinbach, Jerry Papenfuss, Jerome, and others in the media, how will the media handle the complex, controversial, and potentially "juicy" subject of gay rights and marriage? In-depth? Historical references? Even coverage of diverse views? Sensationalistic? Thoughtful? Rush Limbaugh-like? Dwayne Voegeli ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner, District #2 (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
