Nominal Republican Radio (NPR) did a story on the film industry in Louisiana. They framed it as an opportunity for the return of the middle class to New Orleans. Imagine the job opportunities as gofer to the stars. (I know a little about this; Treat Williams, Jonathan Jackson & Linda Hamilton employed Aimee, Jane's daughter as assistant and wardrobe dudette for "Skeletons in the Closet", filmed in Jackson NH. It was a great summer job). Whether this is an opportunity for the REAL middle class, the (mostly black) people living in concentration camps 100 miles from N.O., or in Houston or dispersed throught the US who can no longer work in the port, or in the aerospace industry, or in manufacturing (because they have no place to live) is questionable.

Whenever ESPN (Disney) commentators tell me how wonderful the Saint's success is for 'the people of New Orleans' it makes me want to puke. Yesterday's big story was about Barak Obama. He announced the formation of his exploratory committee. And he announced his preference for the Bears over the Saints in this weekend's division championship game. ESPN dudes wondered whether this could cost Obama Louisiana's votes. Well, I'm pretty sure that the people of New Orleans would vote for Obama. Except that the repugs in the state government won't put voting machines in the concentration camp where the people are living.

(Send Greg Palast some money and get his DVD; Big Easy to Big Empty).

Olberman did a story about Fox Network's show, 24 last night. His expert was slightly reluctant to say that the show is a repug promo for the culture of fear. Olberman wasn't shy. There is no doubt in my mind that everything on Fox is there for a purpose. I also tried to watch American Idol for a few minutes last night. The manipulation was blatantly clear; Fox values are promoted at every moment. It is obvious that the entire thing is staged and the outcome predetermined. Even the rejects are there to demonstrate that the American people bravely overcome horrible circumstances; they may be deluded about their talents, but they will shoot for the moon nonetheless. The scary thing is that people vote for these shows. And the scariest thing is that they trust Fox to count these votes accurately.

People think they are being entertained. But every minute of every media produced program is indoctrination. Sometimes subtle, mostly crude. We must awaken our friends.

Re-establishing a more fair and balanced [read: NOT Fox] media is so very important -- and so is maintaining net neutrality. This reality has become more dominant in my life these last few months. For those similarly interested, I would recommend:

• Listen/subscribe to the podcast of Media Matters with Bob McChesney
  
• Read/get action alerts from FreePress.Net which McChesney co-founded with journalist John Nichols and campaign finance advocate Josh Silver
  
• Read/get action alerts from Media Matters for America
  
• Read/get action ideas from FAIR -- Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
  
• Listen to FAIR's CounterSpin podcast
  
• Write Congress and to local press on the importance of Internet neutrality
  
• Talk up Thom Hartmann and Air America Radio (and the above) to friends and family

That is enough to keep you/me/all of us busy -- but it is so important. The press is the fourth estate and we must push this issue.