Daily Archives: October 18, 2003

Buying the News

This entry was posted in Journalism on by

Bad Culture found this at the Washington Post:

But no, Mr. Land’s station is pioneering the latest descent into pay-for-play journalism: It’s selling segments on its “Today”-style morning program. For $2,500 you can buy four to six minutes of what is in fact an infomercial — though only the most eagle-eyed viewers would be able to figure that out. No mention of payment is made during the segment; the only reference is a small-type, four-second display during the closing credits.

This would be no big deal if these segments were obviously commercials but they aren’t and hopefully their ratings will soon reflect lie.

w saves a buck

This entry was posted in bush Federal Government Iraq War on Terrorism on by

Apparently revervists called to active duty should not expect to get the same level of medical treatment as active duty personnel. They may not even get treated at all.
But, they will get all expenses paid living quarters:

Most soldiers in medical hold at Fort Stewart stay in rows of rectangular, gray, single-story cinder block barracks without bathrooms or air conditioning. They are dark and sweltering in the southern Georgia heat and humidity. Around 60 soldiers cram in the bunk beds in each barrack.
Soldiers make their way by walking or using crutches through the sandy dirt to a communal bathroom, where they have propped office partitions between otherwise open toilets for privacy. A row of leaky sinks sits on an opposite wall. The latrine smells of urine and is full of bugs, because many windows have no screens. Showering is in a communal, cinder block room. Soldiers say they have to buy their own toilet paper.

I do hope this story is proven wrong.
Via The Agonist.