Updates Later

Matthew Trevithick

Where has the time gone?

I have realized that my lack of recent posting has shown. I have been busy with projects and essays for school that are more important at the moment than updating the blog with random rants and tangents about things.

I will post in the summer, when I have more free time to let my mind stew about various topics.

Maybe I will post before then.

Whenever I can find the time.

Cheers

Matt

Opinion: Fox News Lies in the Journalistic Gutter

Matthew Trevithick
Fox News: Here's a Nice Hot Cuppa Misinformation!

You can't expect much in terms of journalistic integrity when it comes to Fox News, I mean they are Fox News after all. Journalistic integrity is a term never before heard, nor understood, by anybody who walks within the walls of its Manhattan headquarters. Since its creation in 1996, the network has been known for its conservative bias, and its denial of said bias; though anybody that graduated elementary school could tell you that Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Bill Orally (sorry, that's O'Reilly) have never been fair nor balanced, as much as the station touted so. During the Bush administration, the network periodically accepted, and read on-air, right-wing talking points from both the White House [1], and the right-wing fringe organization the Media Research Center, run by the near-delusional Brent Bozell [2], showing that when it came to real hard hitting news, the station was being spoon fed propaganda, which it inevitably regurgitated to its viewers.

News Corp. - owners of Fox News and numerous other journalistic institutions like the New York Post and, unfortunately, the Wall Street Journal to name a few - is headed by Rupert Murdoch, a global media powerhouse, famous in the name of turning once honest and well noted publications, into tabloid rags you later find littered amongst the trash on a subway platform. A prime example, the Wall Street Journal; the voice of business America and Wall Street, had in 2007, its owners and publishers (the Dow Jones company) acquired by Murdoch's media conglomerate. It still is highly touted as a newspaper of record, but little nuggets of conservative bias have been popping up here and there since [3][4].

It's obvious that Fox News and its counterparts along the News Corp. ladder, have, in short, never been those to stick to the facts, but instead rely on (as Stephen Colbert would say truthiness: truth that comes from the gut [5].) Their use of political talking points and more, opinion/rambling based journalism, have in recent times caused them to lose the reputation as a fact-based news station, if they ever had that reputation to begin with. The cable channel has frequently come under fire for controversial remarks made by its presenters, and pundits (a simple YouTube search yields numerous clips that can be used as examples.) So it's not to ones surprise that one of their hosts may, and will, say something so offensive and over the line, that a even a whole country is left demanding an apology. Because that is just what happened.

During Fox News Channel's 3AM "comedy-talk show" 'Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld,' Gutfeld made crass remarks about Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie's recent comment that the military (Canadian Forces) may need a year to recover after Canada's mission in Afghanistan ends in 2011. "Meaning, the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants," he said. Fellow panelist and comedian Doug Benson piped in "I didn't even know they were in the war ... I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada." [6] They continued to mock the RCMP, and noted that since we 'didn't have an army', if the US ever pondered the idea of invading a western country, now would be the time to do it.

Greg Gutfeld is the former editor of the UK edition of the mens magazine "MAXIM" as well as "Stuff." Watching previous episodes of the show on the programs website, also noting the time it airs, its safe to say that the program doesn't have a large amount of viewers on the Fox News lineup. Unfortunatly it is still watched by 390,000 viewers, on average, according to Neilsen. Defense Minister Peter MacKay appeared on CTV Newsnet early Monday, saying "It's crass, it's insensitive, it's in fact disgusting given the timing where Canada is just receiving back four fallen heroes here at CFB Trenton," [7] noting that the comment came just days before news broke that 4 more Canadian soldiers had died in Afghanistan. Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier, and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, were killed in two separate IED blasts on Friday, injuring another five soldiers, bringing the total count of Canadian soldiers killed to 116. [8] Its curious to wonder just how many viewers see the show as either a 'satirical commentary' or 'hard hitting opinion,' but it should be noted that the show is not meant to be taken as a serious news or opinion show, thankfully.

Because of the remark, Gutfeld has since apologized: "The March 17th episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada's plan for a 'synchronized break,' which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts ... However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize." [9]

This is an opinion piece.

Sources:
1 - ThinkProgress.org
2 - Media Matters for America
3 - ThinkProgress.org
4 - The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC - Mar. 20, 2009)
5 - Merriam Webster Online
6/9 - CBC News (Same article)
7 - CTV News
8 - CBC News

Facebook Changes Again, 94% Hate It.

Matthew Trevithick
I Love You Just the Way You are Baby!

Oh it was only yesterday, when Facebook decided to change the websites appearance. The hullabaloo, the anger, the resulting Facebook groups all devoted to changing the website back to the way it was, its like it was all a dream.

Facebook has been one to change its looks. Between the time I joined, and today, the website has 'revamped' itself a total of 4 times, including the change they unveiled a week ago.

The new Facebook is one that screams similarity to the popular website Twitter, the mini-blogging site, that gives you 140 characters to answer the question, "What are you doing?" A note of similarity, is Facebook's new status question "What's on your mind?" No doubt that similarity was intentional.

According to a third-party application available on the Facebook website, that asks users to rate the new home page / profile redesign with either a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down," it was found that 94% of the nearly 800,000 voters, voted with a "thumbs down."[1] Never has there been such a bad backlash against a Facebook redesign. Even the one that sparked a plethora of "Change Facebook Back!" groups was still eventually accepted. Most of the people who voted, left a comment alongside, usually centered around "I was just getting used to the other Facebook!"

Some are saying that the voting system is rigged, because the only people who would add the application in the first place, would be people who are highly opinionated about the redesign. But unfortunately for Zuckerberg (the man behind the behemoth) it shows just how users will respond, when your best intentions, should have just been intentions to begin with.

What a Rush of Idiocy

Matthew Trevithick
Just a quick rant..

If the idea of having 13.5 million people listen to your incoherent ramblings on a weekly basis sounds daunting, then there is one man you should ask for advice. Every week, in his underground Florida studio, where no common logic can find him, he sits in front of his golden microphone, and talks to one of the largest groups of radio listeners in America. Who is this man? I'm talking about Rush Limbaugh.

It seems evident that the loudest voice in America, is – as it also appears, the loudest voice in the Republican party – is Rush Limbaugh, not only because he has been the talking head that has stirred up controversy for so long, but because now he thinks he is leading the GOP. The idea of Rush leading has already garnered a resignation request on the current head of the GOP, Michael Steele, by Ada Fisher, North Carolina's national committeewoman, on the basis of Steele ‘eroding confidence in the GOP.’

Its no Doubt that Steele has tried some off the wall tactics to get Republicans to look like something other than Republicans, by using such ideas as applying party principles to “urban-surburban hip-hop settings.” But if Steele resigned, who would take his place? Limbaugh, or the guy who created the “Barack the Magic Negro” CD that was passed around as a Christmas gift.

His previous remarks about Michael J. Fox “faking” the shaking that occurs from his Parkinson’s medication, his rant about feminists and that the whole idea of feminism was “… established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream,” as well as that whole “Barack the Magic Negro” thing (which he played on his show), have never stirred up as much controversy as the one he said in January, amidst a falling economy, lost jobs and the like. “I Hope Obama Fails.”

At a time like this, he wants Obama to fail? Should he be more specific on the basis of, what exactly it is that he wants to fail, the President himself, or liberalism, because if its coming from Rush, you never quite know. Its one thing to want someone to fail, but to want a president to fail, at a time like this, is basically saying you want the country to fail along with him. Should Barack Obama even try and reach out to the Republican side? Every time he does, it seems the Republicans don't even want to bother looking for solutions.

It seems now that comedian Rush Limbaugh probably likes the idea of being the head honcho of the most embarrassing political party in America. The party that in the last eight years, started a war on false pretenses (and with the wrong country), created an education system that did leave children behind, put America in an economic recession, and tortured innocent people alive in a military base in Cuba, to name a few. If he were to run the GOP, his listeners – the white middle-aged, christian conservative demographic – would most likely be so overjoyed that their leader was taking charge, they might as well be shouting “Rush Rush Rush,” till the cow came home. That cow, being Rush Limbaugh.

Scientists Develop New Battery: Charge Cellphone in Seconds

Two researchers have developed battery cells that can charge up in less time than it takes to read the first two sentences of this article. The work could eventually produce ultra-fast power packs for everything from laptop computers to electric vehicles.

read more | digg story

WMG + YouTube = <3

Matthew Trevithick
Fuck the RIAA. Seriously. Do a Google search. Its stupid what they do.

Now, I for one, am all for Copyright. Well, maybe not copyright - more Creative Commons (I have more freedom of how I license my work). It keeps my art, such as photos and text from being improperly cited, or stolen and labeled under someone elses name. I like having things protected, and not in Public Domain. Which is where I can see Warner Music Group (WMG)'s problem with YouTube.

Every day, hundreds if not (possibly) thousands of videos are uploaded onto the video website, that include WMG artists' work, and nearly every time, it was done without prior permission from Warner. So, you may see your videos muted, or deleted completely, just because you didn't get permission to use the material in the video.

But that's where my problem starts.

Warner Music Group complains, even bitches, about the fact that their client's work is posted for free. Muting videos is the only way to go for them - never mind the fact that it completely mutes everything and not just the work in question. But as they continue to whine like a baby, they unfortunately lose points on the front that they don't make it easy to obtain permission.

That's what really aggravates me about the whole music industry in general. Everything is copyrighted, and locked down by a barrage of lawyers and people in suits, blocking requests left and right. Currently, the only way to acquire permission to use copyrighted work, is to call the Music Label directly, talk to a flack lawyer for a half an hour, and shell out licensing fees. Fees that usually cost hundreds of dollars.

And normal YouTube uploaders don't have hundreds of dollars to spend buying licensing fees, to put music in a video they just wanted to show their friends. If you hadn't noticed, that is why people use YouTube in the first place. To share, and to save.

Its pointless. Users who are uploading material (namely music) aren't doing it to get famous, or get profits - for one they can't - they are just doing it to share it with the world. This Warner Music Group, is called "free promotion", and you should take it like a child who doesn't know the answer to a question - smile and nod. Because with free promotion, who is winning here? Is it the person who's sharing the video, or is it the music label that's saving thousands if not millions of dollars? Especially in these tough economic times, you should see who has the advantage.

I started this rant, initially because one of my videos was muted on YouTube. Now I have to delete it, as they won't let me upload another to take its place. The annoying this about the whole thing, is that they didn't even tell me they muted it in the first place! They didn't send me an email or anything! Bad YouTube.

Warner Music Group. If you want people to stop posting copyrighted material that is created by your labels' clients, then make it easier for average people to get permission in the first place. Don't hide behind your lawyers in a lame attempt at grabbing fees and royalties. The artists themselves wouldn't be that selfish. Not the Proclaimers anyway.

Oh, the fuck the RIAA - you corrupt piece of shit.

Obama, it's Official.

Matthew Trevithick
CHAANGE?
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2009 - 11:23 PM

America has entered a new age in history, as Barack Obama was sworn into the White House, as Americas 44th President early Tuesday. The day was not only noted as historical because of the racial progress made, as Obama is the first President (who happens to be black, as Colin Powell eloquently put it), but because no other President in the history of the United States, has sparked such a frenzy among citizens.

In frigid temperatures, an estimated 2 million spectators squeezed into Washington’s National Mall, to watch the 44th President get sworn in; the crowd stretching all the way from the Capitol, to the Lincoln Memorial – one of the largest gatherings in American political history.

During the inaugural proceedings, which took place at about 11:30 AM EST, many familiar faces were seen – the remaining former Presidents, Carter, H.W. Bush, Clinton, and now W. Bush, showed up and made their way to the VIP seating, which overlooked the podium. Cheney was succumbed to a wheelchair, due to a back ache he acquired by lifting boxes on Monday. A special ramp was constructed for Cheney, as they wheeled him out of the White House, and into the limo that would take him to the Capitol. Barack and George W. followed shortly after.

Obama didn’t sugar coat the current economic status during his Inaugural speech. “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age,” he said. He also noted the racial progress made, describing himself as a “man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant.”

He spoke to the crowd for about 20 minutes, after having taken the oath of office on the bible used by Lincoln back in 1861, at his first inaugural. No mention on what caused the fumble between Obama and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. The right-wing pundits are already questioning Obama’s legitimacy as President, due to the accidental communication breakdown between Obama and Roberts – even though Obama officially became 44th President at noon – 8 minutes prior to the fumble. Roberts insisted on giving the Oath, without using notes. A move, he might reconsider doing for other events. Obama, Wednesday evening, had Roberts repeat the Oath of Office a second time, making sure that Obama was sworn in under the Constitution properly.

Even though the day represented joy, and a new change in American politics, sad news came during the Inaugural lunch at the Capitol, as news agencies learned that Senator Ted Kennedy, whom was diagnosed with Brain Cancer in May of last year, collapsed from a seizure. He was quickly attended to by Secret Service agents, and was taken away on a stretcher to a waiting Ambulance in under 10 minutes. It was reported that Kennedy was seen awake and talking at Washington Hospital Center, where he is still under care. Obama made mention of Kennedy during the luncheon, when he went to the podium to talk, “This is a joyous time, but also a sobering time. Our prayers are with him and his wife, Vicki.”

President Bush departed aboard the helicopter Marine One, which lifted off from the Capitol’s east side, transporting the Former President to Andrews Air Force base in Maryland. From there, Air Force One would carry the Former President and First Lady to Texas – a destination where Bush spent an unusually large amount of his presidency.

Fans lined along Pennsylvania Avenue, as the Presidential motorcade, with bullet-proof limos, SUVs, and secret service in full force, drove towards the White House. An unusual and un-timed move occurred during the parade, when Barack and Michelle exited the motorcade limo, much earlier than scheduled, to walk and wave to the crowd. No word yet of what was going through the Secret Service’s mind as this was going on.

After the new Presidential Family have observed the finish of the parade, and gone back inside where no press camera can see them, the Obama’s can look forward to a full night of celebration – at one of Washington’s numerous Inauguration Parties. They are scheduled to be finished at 2:30 in the morning. It's going to be a long night.

2009 MT News. This article is copyrighted under Creative Commons.