There’s not much to be said about Metanoia’s “Psywar” except that it bears watching. A history of the public relations industry, this outstanding documentary explores the highly deleterious impact of organized and well-funded propaganda efforts on a would-be democratic society. [END] Permalink: Psywar
Above are two short media-critical films from different filmmakers. At top, “Globalization and the Media” from the Media Education Foundation highlights the rise of independent and primarily internet-based journalism in recent years. (Many more excellent videos touching on various topics related to the media and society are available at the link.) At bottom, part three of “Who Really Owns the Mainstream Media” (parts one and two are unavailable) discusses the convergence of upper-class interests in the governance of American media. [END] Permalink: Globalization and the Media & Who Really Owns the Mainstream Media
Starting with Republican Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and on through George W. Bush, “With God on Our Side: George W. Bush and the Rise of the Religious Right in America” describes the influence of the Evangelical Christian movement on American politics and especially on the Republican Party. George W. Bush, here, is shown as the ultimate political puppet, a befuddled alcoholic and son of a CIA director duped into undertaking a Christian transformation, then run for President to woo the Christian right more effectively than his somewhat religiously inept father. “I think the prayers of a lot of people tipped that [2000 U. S. Presidential] election. I really believe that with all my heart. And I believe that five to four vote in the Supreme Court which could have gone the other way, I give God the credit, that he wasn’t finished with us yet.” – Jerry Falwell [END] Permalink: With God on Our Side
The above debate, filmed by the now-defunct Free Market News Network, features the 2004 Libertarian and Green Party candidates for United States President, Michael Badnarik and David Cobb. Both candidates raise some very interesting points about the two dominant American political parties and discuss their experiences in growing their organizations in a climate as hostile to political competition as contemporary America. Let us consider, for instance, the very name which is used for political parties other than the Democratic and Republican parties: “third party.” The most often-used meaning of this term is one who is outside or an observer to a transaction, i. e., a non-participant or marginal participant in a process. Certainly, though, these two candidates represent parties with coherent and comprehensive platforms which deserve America’s consideration. Former independent Presidential candidate John B. Anderson also makes an appearance here and extensive commentary is provided by the Libertarian commentators from FMNN, including former Libertarian U. S. Presidential candidate Harry Browne.
This second debate, filmed by C-SPAN, features 2008 U. S. Presidential candidates Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party, Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party, and independent candidate Ralph Nader.
Finally, this third debate is from the 2008 Green Party Presidential primaries out of which former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney was nominated. In addition to these three relatively large national parties, there are also some smaller state-based political parties and other parties which are, today, relatively inactive. Politics 1 and The Green Papers have additional information and statistics. [END] Permalink: “Third Party” Politics in America
Have you ever taken a trip to the Caribbean and wondered at the poverty there, the economic reliance on tourism and the lack of industry? “Life and Debt” (top) focuses on Jamaica’s struggle to become free of IMF loan weapons which keep her in a state of servitude. “Jamaica in the 1970s” (bottom) takes a look at the run-up to some of the same issues and especially at the economic, political and social reforms implemented by Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley in the seventies. Every nation has its own unique history but the strings attached to IMF loans often have similar consequences for those who sign on to them. [END] Permalink: Life and Debt and Jamaica in the 1970s
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