Ken Burns' World War II (liberal columnist attacks political correctness at PBS)

Creators Syndicate ^ | May 10, 2007 | Susan Estrich

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The Hispanic feels secure enough to give us the law. Get used to it or ???????

[period end of story]

Plus the guy uses the same template for his “documentaries” over and over again.

[stinkerpot65]

It is amazing how her looks have improved. I like Susan. She stood up for Rush Limbaugh during the Palm Beach witchhunt.

[longtermmemmory]

This reminds me of the quota queens that wanted to reenvision the 9/11 three fire fighters to include an asian, a woman, a black, and a hispanic to reflect their vision of the way the usa should be...

[gusopol3]

historical errors in Ken Burns’ programs (like Baseball)

now that's as novel and apt a description of Mario Cuomo as you could devise.

[Brucifer]

I’m not sure how to get this link to work. It’s The Old Negro Space Program. Not a Ken Burns film. An oldie but a goodie.

http://video.mpegnation.com/a001539517305051005020932622.html

[free_for_now]

You said: Defund PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts. If they can’t pay for themselves, we don’t need them.

I say:

If we didn’t do it when we controlled Congress and the Presidency, with the President much stronger than now, what prayer have we got that this could happen?

Still, if Pelosi pushes this thru both houses, I hope Bush signs it!

[sgtyork]

She doesn’t look hideous in that picture!

[Cacique]

btt

[SunkenCiv]

There was an outcry against Burns' "The Civil War" -- that there wasn't enough stuff about slavery and minorities -- to which Burns et al replied.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[Fiddlstix]

Defund PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts. If they can’t pay for themselves, we don’t need them.

Ditto!
Ditto!
&
Ditto!

[Paisan]

...uses the same template...

Ya got that right. I don’t know if he invented the technique, but his and other’s all seem to follow the same format:
Collect some old B&W photos, have the camera play around with close-ups of those photos before zooming out to show the whole thing. Play some period music throughout and sprinkle in some interviews with ‘experts’ of dubious relevance.
I do enjoy his work but it is all so predictable

[wtc911]

Love your tagline ‘hombre’.

__________________________________

I alternate between that and; "I would like at least to know his name..."

That film has more quotable dialogue than any three others.

[weegee]

Then they’ve abandoned their stated principle.

Their work may not qualify for the standard of which they spoke but I don’t think that the standard should be dumbed down to give awards to popular forays into “documentary” production.

Michael Moore and Al Gore make “popular” films that win awards too. They aren’t documentaries.

[weegee]

Defund PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts. If they can’t pay for themselves, we don’t need them.

Barney, Sesame Street, Ken Burns, et al are wildly popular and commerical tie ins are available in virtually every (non-adult) video store along with all sorts of clothing, games, and toys in the case of PBS' childrens' programming.

There is enough "product" money that could be used to fund PBS. But instead PBS doesn't see much of those receipts.

[weegee]

Oh well -- sooner or later the cream will rise to the top, and we'll hear that great music somewhere better than just my CD player, and once again American original music will inspire Americans to be ... victorious Americans! (You'd never guess that swing jazz is one of my faves, wouldja? Listen to Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Les Brown. No WONDER America won the war.)

True but the Nazis co-opted swing music for their Enlish propaganda programs and changed lyrics (which has impact when songs are often heard as instrumentals or with lengthy instrumental refrains). They'd insert defeatist messages about losing in the Pacific and Roosevelt "and his Jews".

The media still plays that same anti-American game today. In WWII Axis Sally and Lord Haw Haw were convicted of treason. Today Michael Moore sits with the elite of the DNC at their convention abd Jane Fonda continues to crank out movies.

[weegee]

Also how much coverage does BET ever give to jazz? Or is the entirety of black entertainment defined by hip hop and comedians?

[Tokra]

Defund PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts. If they can’t pay for themselves, we don’t need them.

Not pay for themselves!!!! Do you have any idea how many millions they rake in for Sesame Street merchandise licensing? You'd be surprised. Walk into any toy store and I guarantee you will see dozens of Sesame Street toys.

They make plenty enough from licensing Tickle Me Elmos and private donations to pay for the entire PBS budget. They should not be receiving any tax money at all. (actually only 10% of their budget comes from the govenment - 90% comes from donations & merchandising fees)

[caver]

“great jazzy fusion”

Jazz fusion is the reason that jazz has lost it’s popularity. It’s repetitive and boring and can’t keep people’s interest because a lot of musicians go on and on like a Grateful Dead, an endless, purposeless jam session.

[wtc911]

Then they’ve abandoned their stated principle.

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Or never genuinely held to it at all.