THE HEADLINES

"The Dark Knight Rises" was a box office success but panned by some critics for its celebration of "cruel" violence (Photo: Ron Phillips, Warner Bros. / SF)

THE DARK NIGHT OF A VIOLENT SOCIETY IS RISING IN AMERICA; AND VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES AND HOLLYWOOD MOVIES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT.

Movie critic Mick LaSalle comments on effects of movies like “Dark Knight Rises” and the possible causal connection between it and other media products in promoting events the likes of a movie theatre massacre in Colorado and a school shooting in Connecticut. He makes an appeal to fellow critics and an admonition to himself for them to call out in their reviews the anti-social implications of these products, leaving it to public opinion and declining sales to create a market-place censorship of harmful activities.

(San Francisco Chronicle)

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“ALTERNATIVES” IN U.S. TREATMENT OF TERRORISM SUSPECTS.

Rendition and coercive interrogation by foreign governments? That practice continues. Assassination by drone strikes? That practice increases. Fair trial with due process? That practice is hardly considered.

(Washington Post)

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“THE PECULIAR POLITICS OF A FAKE DEMOCRACY”

Dave Lindorff uses this phrase to “explain” the behavior of both the Republican and Democratic parties in arriving at a temporary “fix” of the looming fiscal crisis. Because both parties are party to the militarist consensus, they will not consider the only feasible way to approach “deficit reduction ” a massive reduction in the country’s spending on futile and dysfunctional military operations around the world: a 50% cut in military operations would not even be “noticed,” since so much of it is expended on operations that are not even known to the American public.

(Counterpunch)

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ST. LOUIS JUDGE MAKES A “FEW MISTAKES” ANDGETS SUSPENDED WITH PAY FROM HER JOB; NOW IS THAT FAIR?

Her lawyer claims not, as she appeals the suspension. Among her “mistakes” was talking to a reporter about a pending case and allowing her combination clerk and hair-dresser to make decisions on her “behalf” while she was out of the office. Everybody makes mistakes, right?

(St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

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WHERE ARE POLICE OFFICERS NOW PATROLLING THE HALLWAYS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS? ALACHUA COUNTY (GAINESVILLE), FLORIDA FOR ONE.

Local sheriff and police chief take a “tour” of the school to publicize a police “presence” which they hope will have a favorable “impact” on students. While this is described as a temporary measure in response to Connecticut shootings, police agents express hope that it will be a permanent program in which not only security but mental health issues will be more effectively addressed in the schools.

(Gainesville Sun)

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Quote of the day…

A One Nation approach to welfare reform means government has a responsibility to help people into work and support those who cannot, but those who can work must be required to take up jobs or lose benefits as a result – no ifs or buts. Britain needs real welfare reform that is tough, fair and that works, not divisive, nasty and misleading smears from an out of touch and failing government.

Ed Balls, “shadow Chancellor” of opposition Labour Party in Britain, on Labour’s election platform of requiring unemployed workers to accept the jobs/training deals offered them.

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