The Shotgun Blog
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I skipped the Second Coming, and just went to work instead
The Rio Theatre is located in east Vancouver, so it is not surprising that yesterday morning the movie theatre opened to broadcast the inauguration of Barack Obama. It's also not surprising that over 300 people in this left-leaning part of town mostly filled the Rio, according to Ethan Baron's column in today's Province newspaper, to watch as Obama was sworn in.
I was a little dismayed--but perhaps should not have been surprised, given the sort of coverage the new President has received in the U.S. press--to read this observation from Mr. Baron. I've added some emphasis:
"....Rapt eyes shone as Obama spoke with stunning eloquence of re-building America. When the president delivered perhaps his most impressive rhetorical offering, telling the world's tyrants, "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," many in the audience gasped audibly at the sheer power of his language.
I haven't seen a group of people wearing their fervour so completely, and so uniformly, since a guy I used to work with brought me to visit his weird sex cult in California.
But maybe Obama, unlike the cult leader in the purple house, really deserves this worship...."
Maybe not!
Perhaps I am old-fashioned, and yes, this is a column, but is it really appropriate for a newspaper to use this sort of loaded language? I wonder if there was a Province editor who thought to step in and say to Mr. Baron, "Isn't this a bit much?"
Mr. Baron ended his column by adding:
"Obama tells us that America should become a country that acts as a force for good in the world, promoting peace and equality, protecting the environment, helping the downtrodden.
Whether or not he can fully deliver on that agenda is perhaps less important than the fact that so many people agree with it."
Well, not in the minds of American voters, for one. But, perhaps I am old-fashioned there as well.
God help President Obama. With this sort of treatment in the world's media, he'll need all the help he can get.
Posted by Rick Hiebert on January 21, 2009 in Media | Permalink
Comments
...the media, like a discarded tampon, will soon turn on its idol when the honeymoon is over.
Posted by: tomax7 | 2009-01-22 11:58:31 AM
The news isn't news anymore its propoganda. And the White House is still what its been for some time...a circus. None of these people are relevant, its just a dog and pony show.
Posted by: JC | 2009-01-23 4:46:25 AM
I'll say one thing O Canada, you are less safe since Tuesday.
Posted by: KansasGirl | 2009-01-23 3:43:01 PM
I don't think we're less or more safe. But who should we be afraid of in the dead of Winter?
Posted by: Bob Peloquin | 2009-01-24 8:16:48 PM
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