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September 7, 2006
September 11th: Preparing for Realignment
As we all know, the fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks will be observed next week. Television programming will centre around the event, most likely ranging from coverage of memorials, to personal stories of sadness and survival to new "What really happened" exposés. I have this strange feeling that the day will leave me feeling a little dirty as the media "tastefully" grabs eyeballs off a wave of sadness and rememberance.
In any case, what really concerns me are two articles published in today's Globe and Mail - both found on the front page. The first is entitled, "Bush admits to secret prisons"; the second is entitled, "Ads reflect military's changing character." Without going into the details, Bush finally admits to holding suspected terrorists in "black sites" despite denying the existence of such sites. The Canadian Forces story describes how the Canadian Forces have been developing new recruitment ads that play with images of terrorism to appeal more effectively to the young male demographic. I'll let you read the details but here are two quotes that connect the stories.
From the Bush article:
The surprise admission by Mr. Bush [about the "black sites"] was part of a series of announcements yesterday timed for maximum political effect just days before the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
From the Canadian Forces ad article:
The ad would also be of benefit to the general public, [the Canadian Forces] states because it would "realign" public perception of the Forces to reflect its current deployments.
Realign? Really? And there lies the power of the media. Both Bush and the Canadian Forces pr department want us to belief that their actions are justified. More importantly, they want us to forget. Forget that a young former Canadian Olympian died this week as a result of friendly fire. Forget that his death wasn't the first nor will it be the last. Forget that young men who join the military are disproportionally represented by the underclass. Forget that Osama Bin Laden has yet to be captured. Forget that Canadians can be sent to Syria or Gitmo Bay, tortured and have no legal recourse. And forget that the war in Iraq was justified by lies and deemed illegal. Forget it all...that was so five years ago.
On September 11th, Bush, the Canadian Forces and the media want you to sit back, relax and prepare for realignment.
Posted by Jason at September 7, 2006 9:26 AM
Comments
Last night I spent with a friend, over wine we expressed our complete frustration with the way the media had related Bush's admisson regarding the undisclosed prisons. There was no sign of shock from the commentators and no comment as to how improperly the man had behaved. It is appalling!
I don't think I will be realigned!!Thanks Jason
Posted by: arel at September 7, 2006 2:24 PM
I think all of us need to practice conscious critiquing of the media and how things are being spun and misrepresented to us. The fact that two articles like this could grace the front page without so much as any public comment (that I'm aware of) highlights how much we need to sensitize ourselves to the constant messaging we receive.
Posted by: Kirsten at September 11, 2006 6:46 PM
I think all of us need to practice conscious critiquing of the media and how things are being spun and misrepresented to us. The fact that two articles like this could grace the front page without so much as any public comment (that I'm aware of) highlights how much we need to sensitize ourselves to the constant messaging we receive.
Posted by: Kirsten at September 11, 2006 6:47 PM