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Excerpt: "Top stories according to google news analytics, 2 pm Monday 8.13.12."

Juan Cole; public intellectual, prominent blogger, essayist and professor of history. (photo: Informed Comment)
Juan Cole; public intellectual, prominent blogger, essayist and professor of history. (photo: Informed Comment)


Really, America? Really? These Are Your Top Stories?

By Juan Cole, Informed Comment

15 August 12

 

op stories according to google news analytics, 2 pm Monday 8.13.12


 

Comments   

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+113 # Inland Jim 2012-08-15 13:24
Why is it surprising? News has long been trivialized to, you know, sell shit between the sound bites.
 
 
+57 # scotttonto 2012-08-15 13:48
Americans are so shallow..."rela tionships seek their own level"... so if we vote in Romney and Ryan.... well then... it will truly be over for this country.. and maybe it does not matter now at all... the far left.. is just as stupid and the far right.... the planet is dieing.... and still.. so many still believe in the sociopathic dogma of manifest destiny.... so... yup... this is the news!!!!!!!
 
 
+2 # jwb110 2012-08-16 10:43
Quoting scotttonto:
Americans are so shallow..."relationships seek their own level"... so if we vote in Romney and Ryan.... well then... it will truly be over for this country.. and maybe it does not matter now at all... the far left.. is just as stupid and the far right.... the planet is dieing.... and still.. so many still believe in the sociopathic dogma of manifest destiny.... so... yup... this is the news!!!!!!!

This falls under the rubric of " you had better start giving them what they want before they start wanting what you are giving them". Once upon a time we had some of the most extensive and best new coverage in the world. The network news agencies were not afraid of political parties or ramifications for reporting what the deemed important to the Nation.
24 hour news has been the downfall of much coverage of substance. It is hard to fill 24 hours with all things cogent to international and national news. Fox would never be a mainstream news station in the 50's,60's or 70's. The slow demise came on the heels of saving money. I knew a speech writer for Eisenhower who was let go in order to accommodate a fresh out of communications school writer who came much cheaper. This was from CBS news once considered the nest news in America.
It only takes a single generation to turn the tide from real news to entertainment. Just ask Lenin.
 
 
+22 # newsmom 2012-08-15 14:07
A-R-R-R-G-G-G-H -H-H!!!!
 
 
+14 # key89@earthlink.net 2012-08-15 14:08
But if you read a little further down, you will find http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/08/120815-galaxy-massive-nature-stars-groups-clusters-space-science-phoenix/, which will blow your mind!
 
 
+85 # julileegal 2012-08-15 14:17
It's the Republican congress we have to be sure tto vote out. They have been constant in not passing any bills which would help jobs and the economy. May they all rot in hell.
 
 
-106 # JTHinSD 2012-08-15 14:17
Well, "Juan" us shallow Americanos can't ALL be "public intellectuals" now can we?

We're all sitting here, eating Cheetos and watching CNN, waiting for guys and gals like YOU to tell us how we SHOULD think...even if real "thought" is beyond the capabilities of most RSN readers/comment ators anyway!

Thanks for the pompous, self-righteous comeuppance...c ouldn't you have used something other than the oh-so-tired "Really? REALLY?" phrase? What's next..."Whateve r?"
 
 
+38 # GeeRob 2012-08-15 14:58
"Whatever" is our response to you.
 
 
+36 # pernsey 2012-08-15 15:06
No one tells me how to think I read the news and descern for myself, unlike Fox News viewers that get their talking points from Hannity and repeat them incessantly until they wouldnt know the truth if it bit them on the nose...which is fairly obvious from some of these posts that this is the case.
 
 
+19 # ayfkm? 2012-08-15 15:20
Quoting JTHinSD:
Well, "Juan" us shallow Americanos can't ALL be "public intellectuals" now can we?

We're all sitting here, eating Cheetos and watching CNN, waiting for guys and gals like YOU to tell us how we SHOULD think...even if real "thought" is beyond the capabilities of most RSN readers/commentators anyway!

Thanks for the pompous, self-righteous comeuppance...couldn't you have used something other than the oh-so-tired "Really? REALLY?" phrase? What's next..."Whatever?"


Pamperin. It helps with your bloating and cramping. Or so I'm told.

If the title is what troubles you then you are indeed shallow. What troubles me is that a list like this can exist in a nation supposedly populated by forward thinking people. Now there's some good marketing!!!
 
 
+24 # 666 2012-08-15 18:15
CNN? what r u, a liberal commie fascist? Fox tells me what to think, so i don't have to.
signed,
a pubic inteelekshul
 
 
+5 # feloneouscat 2012-08-16 05:42
What is amusing about this list is it was generated not by human beings, but by software algorithms. Typically these software algorithms look at a sampling (just like the CIA does with "terrorist buzz") to see what pops up.

If anything, these items "of interest" are merely the interest of those who control the news media - the 1%. Not what people really find interesting.

Software is neither Left nor Right. It doesn't care what you and I think about a subject. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until... oh, wait, that's the Terminator...

Close enough.
 
 
0 # Billy Bob 2012-08-18 11:57
When you're not trying to correct everyone else's spelling, you might want to include some SUBSTANCE in your own comments.
 
 
+2 # NRESQ 2012-08-15 14:20
Uh, I get the point that Americans can be pretty oblivious to the reality around them. But, really, Juan? A VERY limited sample, from a source that's used to search for a myriad of things, not just news. Google characterizes these items as "Top Stories", not Top NEWS Stories. Relax, everyone. BTW, what's the Top Story in China or Japan, I wonder? Or Iran or Iraq? Don't be surprised if its just as 'trivial'.
 
 
+50 # angelfish 2012-08-15 14:22
Does ANYONE still pay attention to mainstream News any more? They are OWNED by the Mega-Wealthy who feed a constant stream of Double-Speak, Obfuscation, Propaganda and out right LIES. They are irrelevant...By the way, never, EVER Vote ReTHUGlican!
 
 
+11 # MendoChuck 2012-08-15 14:53
Those that want "Real Change" will begin by changing their vote.
The rest can continue to seek relief from the outdated "Two Party System" that is owned by Wall Street.

If you do not believe that than I am sorry I interrupted your train of thought. Please continue on with your wishful thinking.
 
 
+7 # bmiluski 2012-08-16 06:08
In order to get a LEGITIMATE 3rd party candidate into the presidential race, you have to start at the grass roots level so people can grow to know and trust your party. You can't just spring a brand new person on the public and expect them to trust and vote for them.
Start with your city and state government.
 
 
+31 # noitall 2012-08-15 15:05
Isn't it fabulous? The media, Supreme Court, GOP and their Pacs, spin machines, "Americans" afraid of voter fraud, police, Congress, are all in perfect coordination. Now if they only applied these coordination skills to building up the country than in tearing it down to make the current administration look bad. The People are suffering here!
 
 
0 # Jim Young 2012-08-17 05:32
Amen

But don't be surprised if the sandbagging hoarders make a show of "improving" things by coming off the rotting trillions they have been keeping off the market in an attempted total power grab.
 
 
-36 # brux 2012-08-15 15:05
This guy's commentary (Juan Cole) maybe be politically correct and nominally support the Liberal, Left point of view, but his content and subjects are so off-putting that he seems to basically be functioning as a useful idiot for the Right.

What deeper or important meaning is to be gained from taking us space with a story about what are the stories getting the most hit on Google ... assuming they are winnowing out the porn.

Just saying something to hear one's self talk seems to be more important to people on the left than on the right, and that is one aspect that needs to change.
 
 
+5 # bmiluski 2012-08-16 06:09
Just saying something to hear one's self talk seems to be more important to people on the left than on the right, and that is one aspect that needs to change.
So you've never heard of Rush Limbaugh?
 
 
+27 # pernsey 2012-08-15 15:11
I often wonder why the media acts like Mitt is a viable candidate, the stuff he says, does, and flip flops on about are ridiculous. He looks like a Buffoon, so yes I would think we can come up with better things to write about.

There are things going on that should be written about, paid attention too, and researched...in stead we have to read about Mitt the twit...going on about his nonsensical crap, like its viable.
 
 
+17 # lexy677 2012-08-15 19:16
You wonder why the media acts like Mitt is a viable candidate? well in the first place, any "journalist" or "media character" who would dare suggest otherwise either in print or on TV would be sure to lose their job pretty quickly. Remember what happened at MSNBC when Comcast took over? They quickly got rid of the closest thing we had to a "journalist" in America, Keith Olbermann as a salutary example for any other journalist or commentator who might be tempted to call "an idiot, an idiot". Call Mitt Romney what he is viz; a hollow "perksniffian" fraud and see your career go down the proverbial drain.
 
 
+5 # suzyskier 2012-08-16 08:32
Quoting lexy677:
You wonder why the media acts like Mitt is a viable candidate? well in the first place, any "journalist" or "media character" who would dare suggest otherwise either in print or on TV would be sure to lose their job pretty quickly. Remember what happened at MSNBC when Comcast took over? They quickly got rid of the closest thing we had to a "journalist" in America, Keith Olbermann as a salutary example for any other journalist or commentator who might be tempted to call "an idiot, an idiot". Call Mitt Romney what he is viz; a hollow "perksniffian" fraud and see your career go down the proverbial drain.

Yes I do agree, does anyone remember Dan Rather? He told the truth and look where that got him. Network news is bought by Right wing extremists.
 
 
-1 # Jim Young 2012-08-16 22:30
Quoting suzyskier:
...Yes I do agree, does anyone remember Dan Rather? He told the truth and look where that got him...


I do, and the usual suspect is Roger Stone for planting the deliberate forgery, designed to be "discovered", though the discoverer got some signals crossed. Anyway, there is an update on the story at http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/10976-focus-dan-rather-was-right-about-george-w-bush

It reminds us the original controversy with the elite's favorite Guard unit was started by Republicans over Lloyd Bentsen III, son of Michael Dukakis' VP candidate Lloyd Bentsen. That didn't seem to bother GOP "opposition researchers" who neutralized any attempt by Democrats to do what they tried to do in 1988. See the story for the real background and why it was kept secret so long. I still think they got away with a falsely attributed forgery so brazen that they should be criminally prosecuted for it.
 
 
0 # Jim Young 2012-08-18 18:14
Curious about the thumb down.

Is there something wrong with pointing out that Republicans tried to paint the appointment process to that Guard unit as corrupt when talking about Democratic VP candidate's son Lloyd Bentsen III, but then hypocritically paint it as all above board when it came to George W. Bush?

Did you read and understand the report?

If you think it is wrong, why do you think so?
 
 
+12 # RMDC 2012-08-15 15:29
Miley Cyrus -- I did not even know she still existed. Now that is news!
 
 
+1 # suzyskier 2012-08-16 08:34
Quoting RMDC:
Miley Cyrus -- I did not even know she still existed. Now that is news!


Oh yes she got a haircut! Now that is more important than "Real News". I am not sure where to go for real news, CBC or BBC maybe.
 
 
+7 # spritzler 2012-08-15 15:59
Those of us who want to build a movement to defeat the ruling elite will find this article interesting: "What I Learned from Republican Propaganda" at http://newdemocracyworld.org/culture/republican%20propaganda.html

--John Spritzler
spritzler@comcast.net
 
 
+4 # brux 2012-08-15 16:42
http://newdemocracyworld.org/culture/republican%20propaganda.html

that's a good link spritlzer ... here the basic thought:

- The target audience is the employed working class and small business owners.
The appeal to this audience is based on these main themes:
- Cheating, in order to get things one doesn't deserve, is immoral.
- The federal and state governments do not serve the interests of employed workers and small business owners.
- The federal and state governments serve the interests of corrupt politicians (mainly Democrats) whose electoral power base is the part of the population who cheat to get things (government handouts) they do not deserve.
U.S. military forces exist to defend the freedom of Americans, and this is indeed how they are being used around the world.

But it is AM radio, which might be a good thing for a Progressive organization to follow, measure and publicize ... but that is not what this article is doing, it focuses on Google searches. The other things as we move into the Totalitarian age is that who says any of the information we get is true anyway?

How do we know anything. The Republicans know money by any means, what do the Democrats know as well?
 
 
+2 # lexy677 2012-08-17 22:38
Look there is nothing sophisticated or mysterious about Republican "propaganda". Their "propaganda" is and has been simply this: "appealing to the insecurity and "stupidity induced" racism of the average white person. That simple. You'd be better off admitting this fact and working in your community to combat and limit its nefarious influence on the minds of working class white families.
 
 
-8 # dick 2012-08-15 17:12
Eric Holder, actually Barry Obama, story was in fact HUGE.
 
 
0 # Billy Bob 2012-08-18 11:58
You know, calling the President of the United States of America "Barry" is a pretty lame insult.
 
 
0 # kelly 2012-08-15 17:15
I'm glad you told me because at that time I was not on "the net". Just because something is trending on the "net" doesn't mean it's the end all and be all. How many kids are still out of school? The people who think those things up can have no information on the sample audience they are reporting about and do a great disservice to us all. I get that we are not politically savvy...okay we are political nimrods who would prefer to stick our heads in the ground but really? Did you know that I can actually go for days without getting on it?
 
 
+8 # reiverpacific 2012-08-15 18:31
I must be a dumb, shallow Scotsman but I don't get the point of all this; some follow-up would have helped from the author.
It seems to have had little effect but to create a bit of RSN inter-poster mud-slingin'.
"Why, all the Saints and Sages who discuss'd
Of the two Wolds so learnedly are thrust
-like foolish Prophets forth; their words to scorn
Are scattered, and their Mouths are stopt with Dust."
 
 
-19 # brux 2012-08-15 20:50
> I must be a dumb, shallow Scotsman

you forgot ugly ...

;-) LOL, just kidding, I agree with you. This article, and this writer really have problems.

The problem with the Left are the large number of lefties that are so easily riled and pandered to they do not know what they are doing or what they agree with, as long as they get a place to vent their bile.
 
 
+8 # bmiluski 2012-08-16 06:16
It was the tea-bags that brought guns to rallies and it was the liberals that staged a "Return to Civility" rally.
 
 
+2 # reiverpacific 2012-08-16 10:56
Quoting brux:
> I must be a dumb, shallow Scotsman

you forgot ugly ...

;-) LOL, just kidding, I agree with you. This article, and this writer really have problems.

The problem with the Left are the large number of lefties that are so easily riled and pandered to they do not know what they are doing or what they agree with, as long as they get a place to vent their bile.

Hey, I never claimed to be purty!
Mind you, the bile is served up in jugloads by the right with their own programmed ignoramus leaders like ol' Limp-balls whipping 'em up. The Democrats need to be a bit more aggressive in fact; I'd love to see Twit R' in front of "Prime Minister's question time (As I did Dimwits) in the British Paliament; no script or tele-prompters there! none of 'em would ha' lasted two seconds.
 
 
+1 # pernsey 2012-08-16 18:05
LOL, Im so riled...NOT. Your ignorance doesnt rile me up, its the fact that you believe your ignorance that really gets to me.
 
 
+11 # TurboKitty 2012-08-15 19:09
When 5 corporations own the majority of the media, they can give you any message they want to ...
 
 
+8 # tm7devils 2012-08-15 19:23
C'mon, boys! It's not the case that the American public may, or may not, be shallow(though, generally, it may be true)...it's the state of ignorance that the media, their owners and the 1% want to keep us in by taking us down the "yellow brick road" (Don't look at the man behind the curtain!).
The ignorant and despondent are the easiest to manipulate...
 
 
+15 # Texas Aggie 2012-08-15 20:29
Unfortunately your point has a very strong foundation, and it isn't going to change for a while. It was either Madison or Jefferson who made the point that an informed citizenry was essential for the working of a successful democracy. Our citizenry has been less and less informed since the time of St. Ronald of Alzheimer's.
 
 
+3 # tm7devils 2012-08-16 08:43
Good point. I would amend your statement in only one small way...which is actually huge with regard to its results: I would put the words "truthfully and factually" before your phrase 'informed citizenry'...gi ven the lies, obfuscation and spin that we get from the media these days...and that's not even mentioning the stuff they don't print or tell us about, which, would matter greatly in the decisions of the voter.
 
 
+2 # Human Right 2012-08-15 19:24
The Ashkenazim own 80% of the world media meaning we'll not hear or see anything they don't want us to see or hear. That is why you seldom hear or see anything about the ongoing holocaust of the Palestinian people by the Zionsts.
 
 
-12 # brux 2012-08-15 20:58
Pretty incompetent holocaust if you ask me when a population triples in 50 years UNDER A HOLOCAUST ... the Jews should have done so well under the Germans. Or do we just chalk this up to the Islamic Media ?
 
 
+1 # pernsey 2012-08-16 18:06
Quoting brux:
Pretty incompetent holocaust if you ask me when a population triples in 50 years UNDER A HOLOCAUST ... the Jews should have done so well under the Germans. Or do we just chalk this up to the Islamic Media ?


What are you talking about, your starting to just ramble nonsense.
 
 
0 # swissms 2012-08-16 04:32
Oh yeah, the People of the Book, who value learning over just about anything else, don't want YOU to become educated! How are they doing that? Are they locking the doors of the libraries and bookstores?
 
 
+3 # bmiluski 2012-08-16 06:19
The people that run the planet have no religion, race, or creed other then POWER. So trying to label them is a waste of time. Grow up people.
 
 
+6 # swissms 2012-08-16 04:25
Has anybody read Naomi Klein's No Logo? Do you realize that the government has outsourced the running of this country to private enterprise? Almost nothing gets done anymore unless somebody can make a buck on it. And that includes "news" stories. I wondered why little guys get audited instead of the big guys. Found out the IRS has outsourced its enforcement work. These guys make money by forcing people to pay up. Why go after the big guys and have to fight tough lawyers, when you can more easily collect from the little guy. Yesterday, I called the Calif Air Resources Board about the rules for importing a used car into the State. I have a perfectly good Toyota Corolla Wagon, that meets Switzerland's stringent emission and mechanical requirement every two years. Turns out not only has the conversion work been outsourced to two private companies in the State, but the process for getting a car approved to even begin this process is ridiculous. There is no organized process of evaluating cars. Instead, cars are evaluated totally based on what individual makes and models importers are willing to spend $15,000 on to go thru the board "evaluation." The system has become nonfunctional already. Do you still think you have something viable to defend here? Frustrated and disappointed!!!
 
 
-1 # RobertMStahl 2012-08-16 08:10
The medium is the message, and, evolution is substitution, meaning learning, or learning-to-lea rn as Bateson teaches (bringing it down a notch). With two hemispheres for a brain, how is it that the externalized forces empowered by a hierarchically controlled systems overpowers the structure of a corpus callosum?

A field, Bertrand Russel proved, is not a structure, and totalitarianism is an octopus that connects fields through the latest medium or mediums, applied to an Old Guard vis a vis the status quo of education (e.g. see Norman Dodd's interview with G. Edward Griffin). It is not Lynn Margulis' biology.

The Pied Piper really began tooting on 9/11 and one yellow ribbon brought us to the brink of collective murder. "In the beginning, all was mush and without form." Nowhere does it say, "In the beginning was the word." Other nations would do the same as the US given the opportunity to produce Mickey Mouse, I understand, but it is important not to dwell on only the thick and the thin. It is the system needs to change, gaining embodiment, like Francisco J. Varela learned. Justice would help, but what the criminal mind based on excessive riches has placed as victim is the Nation-State and fraud is just the broth that mixes this cocktail.

Where is Indira Singh?
www.RememberBuilding7.org
William Binney and the NSA
Lindisfarne Association Scientists
GUT-CP
 

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