kohoco

I recently told Scott somewhat tongue in cheek that journalism was mainly bullshit. When I said it, there was a part of me that meant it. I have written a little journalism myself and know some of the mental trickery that goes into it, though I do not claim to be a good journalist by any stretch. And maybe the feeling only comes because of my lack of good journalistic skills. I remember in one journalism class in college I essentially created an elaborate fantasy, with made-up people and quotes and situations. I had a blast writing it and thought it was one of my best works (unable to track down my sources, my teacher gave me a B). Now, just to set the record straight, I never did this for any publication (at least not the ones that paid me).

When I said that journalism was mainly bullshit, it came from my feeling that journalists spent a lot of time patching events and facts together and trying to sell it off as journalism. You simply cannot escape the ignorance, style or agenda of any rag you might pick up. Even when you have the impression that a particular event is “real,” you are nevertheless betrayed by the choice of words, the order of the paragraphs, the hidden bias of the writer and editor and news source, the placement on the page, the ads that surround it or are buried within it. Or sometimes even the byline (I have personal experience with this, if you want details we’ll have to talk in person). You may however sense the shadow of something that is moving in the dark, and you get an idea of its form and how it may manifest in the future, around the next corner.

On the other hand, I learn from newspapers. The research that good journalists do can shed light on issues and bring together scattered events and show how they relate to each other. This post is just a roundabout way of saying that you should go read Scott’s article on Slate and learn about what’s going on in Northern Ireland. Scott’s article is definitely not bullshit, and I have learned a lot.

Check out riverbend's hilarious description of Iraqis debating politics and why Chalabi deserves the Noble Peace Prize.

This is nothing new, but just in case you didn't know where your news was coming from.

Is it just me, or is the year of the rooster making waves. It seems that all the things that were poised to happen for so long are happening. There is a kind of flow taking place, washing into every corner of people's lives. Maybe the tsunami was just a warning shot across the bow. Births and deaths, marriages, endings and great flourishes. Or maybe time is just undoing the knots. Be watchful, but also enjoy the ride.

So many times, walking around, doing my job, interacting with people, watching Isadora unfold into a laughing, charming being right before my eyes, I thought that this would be good to blog and share with others. Then like steam in a toaster the thought fizst! out of existence.

Now I have another chance to earn your attention. This is a once in a lifetime chance to attend a SAVE TULIP CAFE FROM GOING TO RENTER'S PRISON PARTY.

Or something like that. I better let Scott tell it: