These Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling
At the news that Loose Change 2 is reportedly scheduled to air in Ireland in the next couple of weeks. What is RTE thinking?
Let's remember that this is the "documentary" that even Dylan Avery admits (at 7:00) contains "errors" and "dubious claims" and "conclusions that are not 100% backed up by the facts":
Here are two terrific Irish blogs that I have read in the past, Richard Delevan and Slugger O'Toole. I've sent emails to the bloggers at each, hoping that we can get some kind of an uproar against the airing of this ridiculous film.
posted by Pat @ 5:18 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
From the tone of this thread, I gather this is some otherwise respectable channel but I'm drawing a blank on the name. What is RTE? Is anyone going to try to get them to atleast show a rationale sane response to this silly piece of garbage or is this just "America is evil, we believe any anti-American conspiracy" night?
NOOOO.
NOT THE HOMELAND.
Ratings Ratings Ratings
Like hey man, they should know it was the little people that did it.
http://apollo.rte.ie/search.jsp?SortDate=false&query=Loose+Change&Submit=GO
Can't see it there.
Can't see it there.
Yeah, I'd first confirm whether it's true before getting people up in arms. Dylan lies. A lot.
Another possibility is that RTE purchased (or got for free from a star-struck Dylan) the rights in order for them to do a show about conspiracy theories.
Ok, instead of bitching and complaining like little girls about freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Ireland, demand the same station error a screwloosechange documentary explaing the problems in the film.
Swing:
why so....hostile.
I think many have. In particular, over at JREF, they are sending emails to the station requesting just that.
A blog, among other purposes, is for people to voice their opinions on the subject matter.
TAM
I tried going to JREF but I keep timing out.
Hi Tam.
I just find humor in Pat's post about getting bloggers in Ireland to complain to a station not to air a film. I guess that is the sad state of the denier movement that they have to resort to bloggers to squash freedom of speech and freedom of the press to get their point across.
i'm going to post the same thing i keep posting because i'm still baffled - there's no way in hell they secured all the rights to use that footage. half the stuff in "Loose Change" is footage off CNN. how in the hell can they keep licensing the movie to sell? Twelve year olds are getting fined for downloading mp3s and yet these guys are making money off this? has everyone gone batshit insane?
BTW - I was in Ireland for a few days back in October. It rocks. But RTE, ESPECIALLY the radio, blows. If you go on a driving holiday, make sure you bring CDs.
If enough people petition a TV station and get them to cancel a show, that's not an infringement on free speech - in fact it's an exercise in free speech because every person who writes a letter saying "cancel this show" is also exercising his or her right to free speech. Not getting your crappy program aired doesn't violate your right to free speech - you can still take it to your moms house and show it to the family for the 10 billionth time.
Also, freedom of speech is a human right. It doesn't (or at least shouldn't, in my opinion) apply to commercial entities.
Among all people, the overwhelming majority know Islamic militants carried out 9/11. Most of those are silent on this debate because they don’t feel they need to waste their time debating America-hating conspiratoids. However, the conspiratoids are all very vocal (most of them don’t have anything else to do) and thus among those who debate the issue regularly, there are probably more Deniers than Debunkers, so the communication directed at RTE will probably not tilt in our favor. Plus, thanks to the Bush Administration’s bad judgment and recklessness, anti-Americanism is at a premium these days. Plenty of foreigners are willing to believe anything about the United States, so some will glaum onto the Denier crap as a reflex. However, it is still important to point out the movie is dishonest and stupid. In addition to the bloggers notified by Pat, it might help to contact American politicians who have been associated with US-Irish relations. I can think of two, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass) and Representative Peter King (R-NY). If any of you reside in either of those states, you may want to contact them and ask them to convey your concerns to the Irish.
http://kennedy.senate.gov/
http://peteking.house.gov/
I guess that is the sad state of the denier movement that they have to resort to bloggers to squash freedom of speech
Swing, I think Alex pointed out the real definition of free speech so I don’t need to repeat it. However, you are right about the “denier movement” being afraid of free expression. Have you raised your concerns with the paintywaists over at 911blogger when they conceal dissenting views and ban those who post them?
Ugh, after CBS finished with the SOTU coverage, they revert to normally scheduled programming with "Two and a half men" featuring lying scumbag Charlie Sheen.
Plus, thanks to the Bush Administration’s bad judgment and recklessness, anti-Americanism is at a premium these days.
Maybe you weren't aware of it, but anti-Americanism was quite common even before Bush was elected. He didn't add to it so much as give those people excuses to focus their hatred on.
On the other hand, the Bush administration definitely created some supporters for ya. I used to bash the yanks as much if not more than your average Canadian does. Just prior to 9/11 I was, on my own, starting to come to the realization that my biases were pretty badly conceived, but AFTER 9/11, and after Bush's response...well, let's just say that many of my beliefs did a complete 180.
Consdemo, I'm not a policeman of free speech. I'm not sure of the airwaves in Ireland wether they are public airwaves rented by corporations or owned by the government.
Of course I agree with Alex's definition of free speech but then again, I've never read Ireland's constitution or bill of rights, so I'm not real qualified to speak about Irish television. Now if you want to talk the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, then by all means.
Alex, I'm well aware the US wasn't universally loved prior to the invasion of Iraq but it has definitely gotten worse since then. I'm glad to see you've moved our way, but you are definitely swimming against the tide.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/22/AR2007012201300.html
Yeah, I know what the polls say, but still....from my personal experience, I'd say you haven't really lost any supporters so much as that those who oppose you have become more outspoken and aggressive about it. I have no figures to back that up, it's just the impression I've gotten while meeting people from all over the world.
Anyway, it doesn't much matter what the rest of the world thinks. Half of Europe is goin' to hell in a hand-basket, Canada isn't about to screw up the trade relations and defence pacts we have with you, and Asia is still trying to become America Jr. People bitch, complain, and wring their hands, but in the end they're just blowing hot air. It might make Kyoto goals hard to meet, but that's about it.
Post a Comment
<< Home