Open Letter To: Barbara Walters

Your face –slapped all over Our airwaves past few days, but fortunately: YOU don’t get only or last word, thanks to one of the few rights not stripped by current Oval Office occupant, though his pals are feverishly working on it. This author not black and doesn’t need to be to see what you have done –and wretch; appalled at your temerity. Who the hell do you imagine you are?

Your name –etched into a California sidewalk next year, at least until The Earthquake, announced recently. Which means: you, or your employer, nominated you, put up $2,200. for said “honor,” “agreed” to show up when it’s done. That stretch of a Los Angeles sidewalk reserved for significant people in the Moving Picture business. What’s it got to do with you? Who the hell do you imagine you are?

EXCUUUSE us: Where the Hell were your ‘modulated’ tones when FCC enabled Mega media corporations to rip-down firewall –TV-radio-newspaper-Internet, single ownership in a single market –Engorge themselves, become ever-larger –control news –line their pockets –suppress competing viewpoints –buy up competition, that outraged Americans? National Rifle Association, ACLU to artists –well over two million protested in letter, fax, phone, e-mail to FCC. You? –Too much of a team player to allow Opinion, facts, doing the right thing, journalism –even discussion –to interfere with making money?

State –federal –no-longer supreme courts –quashed, stripped out –Jamb-packed only with conservative/right-wing judges –now devoid of variety, backgrounds –any variance from ideological interpretations. –You had what to say? Too busy keeping your lips tightly zipped, hoping for another invitation to White House?

Billions of diapers, plastic water bottles, Styrofoam packaging choking landfills –take hundreds of years to breakdown, IF ever –makers of those, cars, drugs –thousands of toxic things poisoning the planet, advertisers on your little flog & tell hour. –But those worried about the planet –those views discussed –aired when? More Important: avoid any conflict –with the sweep of cash through the door –belonging to the makers, who air commercials of such during “your” piece of our air?

An employee told the public You & Co. did not ‘invite’ her to continue employment –an hour/two days before YOU said it –you moaning, whining in oh-so-dulcet tones –Whining and bitching because she beat you to it???

You hired: Meredith Vierira –intelligent first-rate reporter –with wit, personality, brains –class, to let everyone else have a turn at ‘shining; glimpse at life growing up child of a doctor in New England 1950’s, married parent with career, to lead that mess of an hour. Joy Behar, single person who brings the funny, glimpse into Italian family life, circa 1940s New York, 1950’s discrimination of women, life with long-term boyfriend. Star Jones: attorney, newly-married, contributing interpretation of law, growing up in large extended family in the South of 1960’s. –Each: views influenced by decade, environment.

Then: You hired a twenty-something person –so mind-bound to an ideology, a religion, a political party there actually is no reason for her to speak: makes no-nevermind What the Topic –her “views” predictable, extreme right-wing, biased, rigid. But with her every person unfortunate enough to turn on this view gets a two-fer: her recitation of Party Lines AND Lecture How to Live. How life is to be lived –loudly, even if others are talking, and Often, because twenty-something from small-town, primitive state Knows; not shy sharing. Illuminates? HOW does such a person get on your little mess of an hour? She brings What to the table? Budhist, Jewish, Muslim, Lutheran, non-believers shouldn't watch/should follow Immediately? YOU decided: you saw a wind blowing off a distant pool that ‘somehow’ doesn’t Have Enough outlet? –It was right time: to Pander to the rabid right? You: went right off the rails.

Then after journalist Vierira (wisely) quit, you hire a person who brings what to the table, besides her homosexuality and left-wing agenda? –Ability –to suck the oxygen/interrupt /talk louder than anyone else in the room –non-stop? With her the only time anyone else gets to talk, apparently: they are saying something flattering to/about her. How will such a skill set add to –conversation –discussion –anything? Whom do you & co. imagine will be market for right-winger, left-winger rant fests? Your judgment hiring such a skill-set? Is it supposed to amuse the few viewers still watching –to see extremists attempt to convince the other of something? What the hell were you thinking, hiring Either one?

What do You bring to the table? Hmmm…much-married, given to name-dropping, feigning modesty, lunching…not a reporter, not amusing, not a lawyer…economics –medicine –science? Nope. –Painter –biologist –poet –archeologist –historian –bond trader –gourmet cook –gardener? Naw, nope, nada. You’re just the discriminating Hostess with Mostest? –Only the well-done/quality booked? Any doctor looking for business slides a show of latest cosmetic procedures –guaranteed to get him a palazzo in Italy, glides right on in. –“Designer” desperate to keep from going belly up gets runway time to show off latest stupid rags, produced by which country’s children –you-can’t-be-bothered-to-verify.

Hell, anybody with a good publicist and a movie/book/CD to flog ‘somehow’ manages to get a seat, without Iota of quality or criteria applied. –‘Somehow’ even less difficult if tied/owned by parent Disney/ABC? The four co-hosts: forced to be polite in face of such marketing inanity. Has occurred to you –even once—only Good movies flogged, instead of whatever-drivel has littered once perfectly good raw film by Ms/Mr Famous?

–You stand for nothing –perched on the edge of your seat –breathless with anticipation –posing Deep Probing Questions –waiting breathlessly, for answers from Ac-Tor of the minute. One of the people you hired: once thought it would somehow be amusing to book a real twit, who thought it would be amusing to showcase cocktails –procuring one for color, a martini of alcohol mixed with medicine –because Pepto Abysmal is pretty pink. Where do you get off thinking such people have any value to viewers? Meredith Vieira had the integrity to spit it out, say aloud “this is awful.” Awful? Like labeling the Grand Canyon: ditch.

First year or so, topics discussed at the beginning of the show, relevant, of weight; stimulating conversation. Then your use of Our real estate veered sharply –into the depths –where yellow journalism, gossip and trash is placed. What’s on the cover of a rag –Topic A, on your show of rancid shows; latest amateur wannabe singer –oh, yes, deep examination. But: opportunity to educate –how to invest/ save/create a smart pension? –environment –how to restore political balance? –bills on the House or Senate floor that week? –natural remedies/alternatives to slash & burn methods for breast/cervical/prostate cancer? –spirituality? –how to live rich life? No time, those views: You & Co. too busy throwing up view on tech toys, clothing, any pricey “interesting” new thing that wants flogging, filling up hot air –making money for You/network.

Did you hire consultants –who said version of ‘women don’t care about important subjects’ –and believed them? Though much-married makes you a-typical, you seem to be product of long-dead, thankfully, era when it was projected women were only interested in fluff and lunching. GET A CLUE: women have Always worked –hard –inside, outside of wherever they live, one way or another; usually at two careers; care deeply about many things. Do Explain That to near-hysterical director/camera operator who makes the mess un-watchable: sooo fearful a Real Point About something will make the show “dull” –they chop/cut –every quarter second, non-stop, until anyone who actually Looks at it soon cross-eyed or dizzy as camera whips from face to face to crossed dangling legs to tacky dated cheap set.

Where was your judgment –class –brains: when you asked a sexual question of journalist Charles Gibson so Inappropriate –so low-life –he walked off the dais and, body language transmitted, did not want to return, didn't for several seconds.

But: An employee whom “consultants” decided wasn’t pandering enough to any viewers still watching that mess –should be 86’d? –You believe them? –You/‘consultants’/network didn’t like her wedding chatter? Or: didn’t like her getting free stuff because of the chatter? Uh –you, the network Don’t put up the whole show so you can sell drugs –cars –diapers –tech toys –to get money?

According to media reports: a contract was not forthcoming –in December. If true: that means for Half a Year she has had to keep quiet, while pretending interest/enthusiasm –do the job for six months Knowing she was fired. But YOU are “upset” she finally said so –TWO DAYS before You could? She announced what was coming –two days before You could ax her –pissed you off? Get a Clue: every person ever fired Applauds her. She announced she was leaving –on her five minutes –with dignity. She stood up for herself.

You: admired, once, by millions of girls, growing up in tumultuous times, wondering where they would fit in the world; watching first female video news anchor on national news show. You were given gifts, finite amount of time on the planet, as everyone. What have you done with them?

What is it you “agreed” to be “honored” for on a Los Angeles sidewalk? –Whining –about the exit timing of already-fired employee? Utterly tacky. You have embarrassed yourself. Are viewers capable of changing views? Yup. Harry Reasoner –on you –now viewed differently: He was right on. Stuff you do around Academy Awards time so trite the only thing missing: a hat. You can flog impending arrival of left-winger with an agenda 24/7: that will only further prove your shortages.

You have acended/decended into the ranks of George Hamilton: famous for being famous, but for What? OUR airwaves: too valuable for your ilk. Step aside or at least: shut up. If you aren’t part of the solution: get out of the way –you’re blocking our view. This author will continue to join many others –elsewhere.


REMEDIES
Except for one day during Vierira’s last week, this author admits: after not watching for years, happened to turn on TV, saw segment of Star Jones announcement, Barbara Walter’s face. “The View” –panders, deals in drivel; utter waste of air, your time. Read a book, do your work, find something stimulating; avoid dated narcissistic flogging hour view. As Star Jones learned: that view isn’t healthy.


Tag: “The View” ABC, attorney Star Jones, reporter Meredith Vierira, journalism infused with celebrity, Hollywood Walk of drivel, right-wing manifesto air time pandering, passé view of women, FCC, left-wing pandering, Barbara Walters, Disney

[Having both computer and connection problems; Hope this gets posted, stays up; thanks for returning; hope to resolve soon.]

Iraq: Go –Stay? –Plans? –Brains?

Americans debating, about three years late, what to do about sinkhole Iraq. Pull out –remain –send more troops, bring all home –keep paying Halitosis invoices –stay & pray? White House clearly has budget for speechwriters to think up slogans to save its flaccid reputation and crashing poll numbers –slap names on critics, but budget to think up anything to save/achieve the debacle that is invasion of Iraq? Where’s the brains –Plans, strategy? Or: does Administration leave military in Iraq until Americans loose all rights, freedoms and White House is free to do anything they chose, swiping un-written authority on claims “it’s legal”?

Republican leader of the Senate Dr. Frist:

“Announcing an artificial timeline for withdrawal, as the Democrats would have us do, would only embolden the terrorists and encourage them to persist in their atrocities. Simply stated, surrender is not a solution.” “His” views on energy: “…we should give renewed consideration to legislation, which Democrats have repeatedly blocked, that would open up small areas of Alaska to environmentally sensitive oil exploration. In addition, the United States should work to begin construction of new… nuclear power plants.”

“Sensitive” exploration –nukes??? Is that Anything like the way we ‘explored’ Iraq for “WMD”? Doctor Senator Frist neither thinks for himself, puts military’s welfare nor best interests of the country ahead of his Party. Dr. Frist’s bio doesn’t list any military service, but perhaps that’s because his testicles were removed –as he gives no appearance of having testicles as he fails to speak up for those doing the dying, but with no voice, as he lip-sinks Oval Office occupant’s talking points. http://frist.senate.gov/

Ditto good little Republican soldier Senator Warner. Ever-vocal Senator McCain –for war –against –staying –leaving, who can remember, he’s ever-busy out gathering /scoring points, but he’s always up for Soup du Jour opinion, so check the Oval Office website to find out where he’s at for the day. But in the morning: check it again; he doesn’t like his opinions to get stale. Other Senators –clueless what actual stench of war is about, speak in clumps and unison. Members of Senate, House who are thinking members of the Republican Party: too stunned, appalled, disgusted or angry to speak.

Decorated Viet Nam vet Democratic Senator Kerry says: ‘date-certain evacuation’ —and doing damn fine job running campaign –for long-dead 2004 Election. Baby-boomer Sen. Lieberman, Never ever was a Hippy, hot on war and on trail of crafting: party of One. Sen. Rodham Clinton: a mystery and a confusion, sorta; voted to give away Senate’s authority to declare war, but now against invasion, but won’t say so; ‘military should pull out –some day.’ Ex Marine Sen. Murtha, who once believed what “leaders” said about Viet Nam, not confused now: ‘Iraq is in chaos; generals have no plan; recent US military murders of civilians, confirmed by compensation paid to families, due to massive stress, inadequate troop number, objectives; generals angry at lack of leadership, direction from the top.’

If you label yourself Right-winger: you believe your Party’s line, want military to stay until “success” achieved –“success” un-defined; your mind closed. Left-winger: you want troops out now/date-certain; case and mind closed. What’s the answer –what should US do in Iraq now? –Which side is correct?

We can’t know where we’re going if we don’t know where we came from: WHY is the US in Iraq? Occupant told New York firefighters, widows, grieving parents: ‘strike at those who attacked us.’ Iraq had Nothing to do with September 11, 2001 attack, so no-go as a reason.

-Some guy got $350,000 a MONTH—times how many months?— to whisper sweets in their ears, as “evidence” used in State of the Union
-‘Iraq possessed weapons of massive proportions’
-Iraq might/maybe/could send “smoking cloud” over us
Quick hop to Africa by former Ambassador to investigate for the CIA: Another “reason” blown to bits, along with the $350,000-a-month-guy's "evidence" and the classified/ secret identity of his wife. –Revenge for blowing their excuses to invade.
Minor detail: Iraq was under UN restriction, Not allowed to fly –any at all
Okay, Iraq wasn’t going to fly any nuclear weapons here/anywhere, Duh, Reasons #2 and #3 dead.
Then they ‘floated’:
-terrible/bad/evil Saddam
–“evil” theme –got traction, lots of ‘ink’ -“certain” he has weapons capable of massive destruction? The Rummy delivered them, in person
At the same time: they go to work on the people who are supposed to represent us, we the people; imply any representative who doesn’t support them/give away authority to delcare war:
a) not patriotic
b) not real American
c) coward
–THIS from crowd that between them has combined military experience of: Zero years. But It works: members of House, Senate --everyone went silent.

What a coup. Except: the truth –the ‘elephant in the room’? Revealed During 2004 re-election campaign: Pentagon was ordered to prepare plans for invading Iraq –ON Inauguration day 2000 –3 1/2 years before invasion. The cite: General Wesley Clark. –The day Occupant swore to uphold the Constitution: How did he know Iraq would “need” to be invaded?

After shock wore off –rose petals, kisses way weren’t coming our way from Iraqis, violence and death against troops soared, opinion of Americans, world tanked his popularity…no WMD, not “evil Saddam” –no threat of nuclear weapon over the US –not a strike at those who attacked September 11th.

So Occupant floated another ‘balloon’: military invaded Iraq “to bring democracy.” Iraq was invaded for Democracy??? –2,5014 Americans, 30,000 to 100,000 Iraqis, countless coalition, aide, pacifist and contractors died –US Treasury striped bare, hemorrhaging red ink to “bring democracy”??? Cold comfort to widows, grieving parents, sisters, brothers, Americans.

Death rates and tanking poll numbers continue so Occupant’s toadies float another attack ‘balloon’ –version of ‘if you aren’t with us, you’re against us and a coward’ –to hold on to pals’ contracts and majority in Congress:
‘Democrats want to cut & run.’
Implied: Democrats as “Cowards”??? –Those “Cowards” made sure the world got Peace after worst right-wing extremists in history in germany blew up the world, for the second time;
“cowards” were in the mud, blood, heat, snow in Korea.
Over 58,000 “cowards” twisted in Vietnamese jungles, while those who sent them –fat cat Republicans like Dick Nixon sat home, lying to Americans, ‘winding down’ the war while secretly he escalated.

This –attack version a re-run: Democrats, working class, minorities and those who believe White House claims are the ones in the desert, doing the fighting and the dying; while fat cat Republicans, getting richer off the “war,” want to keep on keeping on. Now that we know the truth, what now?

Administration done anything to eliminate core reasons Arabs –Muslim extremists hate us? –Can Iraqi women send their children off to school –anyone go get groceries, gasoline –with any certainty? How is it Possible: super country with military budget of $446 Billion bucks can’t stop bunch of rag-tag insurgents –after Three Years? Tiny Israel, fraction of our military budget: 67 DAYS to end a war.

Stay –pull out?
-US troops weren’t trained in house door-to-door, neighborhood combat
-Halitosis, thanks to President of Vice, got tap-Root into US Treasury –on no bid, no compete contracts; over-charging; vast sums for what Army always did for itself
-American soldiers maimed, wounded, killed by bombs, in inadequate transport
-80 to 90% unemployment in Iraq
-No electricity; no working pipeline; no stability, no peace
-Not enough US troops to overwhelm fighters

This author has no personal stake –no family member getting maimed/wounded/blown up, does afford distance, objectivity –lots of time to think deeply what to do. Look at occupant’s claims:
-“Iraq’s oil will repay our costs”
-“outside agitators/terrorists coming in to Iraq; responsible for bombings”
-“our troops will stand down as Iraqis stand up”
-“Iraqis voted [in three elections], a government, a leader in place”
-Looked into Prime Minister al-Maliki’s eyeballs, likes what he sees
-Spying on Americans’ bank records –without court orders ‘–looking for bad guys’
-Insurgents fighting to get US out of Iraq, hate us/troops/democracy

So if we don’t have enough troops, most Iraqis unemployed, people with no future, no career, no money, loads of hate for Americans pour into Iraq, sign up to fight for pay: the obvious is obviously wrong.

So, this ugly mess –means? Together –what do we have? Bag full of remedies –if combined. Freely admitting, like the Occupant, no military strategy training, this author, unlike him, using common sense only, Supposing we: use Occupant’s claim’s, do exactly what he says; put his words into a Plan, put his feet so close to the fire –it singes him –we get a Plan, let’s call it Plan #1 –no Plan B.

Plan:
-Position 2/3 US troops along Iraq’s borders –Iran –Jordan, etc., with ten to thirty Iraqis in between, say 10’ apart, all day, all night
-Halitosis, paying American truck drivers, guards, contractors, etc. over there nearly quarter of million, can afford to pay: each Iraqi $10. per day PLUS feed them –on THEIR tab (nope, don’t care whether legal or possible, don’t give a damn), from the billions they siphoned out of US Treasury
= Nothing, Nobody gets IN, nobody gets OUT of Iraq, without permission, check-point examination
-Any fighting in provinces and cities: Iraqi police/national guard/army to respond or not –it's on them
-White House: can use their no-doubt by now perfected spy ways to FIND who is sending money into Iraq, TO whom, Which pick-up point/ bank enabling; then cut it off
-No coalition of the coerced, US troops: fighting in neighborhoods; no more target

-Remaining 1/3 US, coalition troops, ten to fifty Iraqis—five feet apart, in between: divided between pipelines, electrical generators –guarding the infrastructure, all areas –until repaired; on-going
= No body crosses the borders; no guns/ammo/bombs/bomb equipment/money gets in

If Iraqis: smart enough to build “WMD” –pipeline and electricity, they’re smart enough to Repair them –without any help from Halitosis; Americans don’t need any more invoices from Halitosis.

Ergo, eventually: no American, multi-nation troops fight/wounded/killed; money, weapons, material, replacements dry up.
No more = No more. Eventually: whole thing dries up. All troops get out; they get to keep their pipeline, their oil; they reimburse US; right-wingers forced into actually enabling Iraqis to decide their own fate; left-wingers get troops back, no more war. The End.

One note: uniforms Iraqi police, military must be altered –trousers best choice; each distinct –only This time: US behaves as though they still have brains –number Each pair; guard them transit to delivery; on arrival in Iraq: assign each to named Iraqi with photo ID –Not stolen this time.

But: if Oval Office occupant “can’t”/ doesn’t find source of money going to insurgents: then Americans have proof –that Real purpose of spying on bank records –is spying –on Americans = more Imperial power-grab/loss of rights, violation of US Constitution.

Thought of this after the shock wore off, of The Rummy’s destruction, indifference. Thinking about it ever since. If no American troops in cities, insurgents cut off from replacements, money, weapons = end of shooting at Americans. Every thug fighting lives next door to someone: Eventually thugs have to get food, water, gas, more money. Eventually: Next-door neighbors will turn them in –death or exodus. Occupant & Co. won’t be removing any Iraqi assets. Iraqis can re-build schools, etc. their own selves. The End.

Let’s see the doughy little “brains” try to squirm away from this; right-winger, left-winger objection to US military protecting Iraq, Iraqis, infrastructure; removing object of insurgent violence, yet keeping troops from injury, while increasing employment, safety, peace –secure grocery shopping.

If You know Actual reason this can’t work –wanting to sell ice cream in the desert –continue making money off war doesn’t count, then: Post it. Otherwise: e-mail it to your reps in Congress. Find your rep’s contact info in the left column links.

Tag: Iraq, war, debate, Senate, senators, White House Iraq claims, spying Americans' bank records, insurgents, remedies, end to war, right-wingers, withdrawal, US military, war wounds, inadequate troops supplies transport, cut & run, stay & die, WMD, Saddam, Rumsfeld