John Kerry

Having predicted several months ago that Kerry was toast, I should probably avoid any more prognostication. But I think this is a no brainer.

If Kerry looks like he can beat Bush the press will come down on him like a ton of bricks. As Black Commentator points out in another brilliant piece on Haiti, the American media has become an agent of the Bush administration and corporate interests.

“Agents” is the most accurate term we can think of, although we invite other suggestions. The corporate media act as agents for the corporate consensus on the way the world should work. Far from being “stooges” or “lackeys,” corporate media frame reality in ways that leave the people few options but to accept the corporate consensus. Like an army, they dominate and overwhelm the national conversation. In addition, as a social force – possibly the most important social force in the American cultural “bubble” – corporate media are profoundly racist, upholding collective white privilege as well as corporate dominance.

I don't know how to fight against this onslaught but I do not have confidence that Democrats know what they are up against. I was a Dean supporter and I was dismayed when liberal pundits decided that dems shouldn't take a chance with Dean because of harsh press coverage. What will they say when Kerry is treated the same way?

My biggest disappointment with Kerry is his support of the Iraq war. He has already pledged to increase the number of U.S. troops in this colossal misadventure. However, the right wing ascendancy in the Republican party means that a Democrat is truly the lesser of two evils. I don't think that a Kerry Attorney General will demand patient records from abortion clinics.

If Kerry is able to circumvent his party's wimpiness and the pernicious influence of corporate media I will be a little relieved on the morning of November 3rd. But I am under no illusions. When the inevitable happens and he forgets what Democrats stand for I will take him to task too. The Freedom Ride will continue no matter what happens in this election.

France

Last year the French were villified by the right for refusing to support the war in Iraq. Now they are villified by the left because of their shameful role in the ouster and reverse middle passage exodus of President Aristide.

The French have now performed the amazing feat of being hated by everyone in the United States.