tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9864176.post623047012581260446..comments2023-12-01T16:56:04.415+11:00Comments on Peak Energy: Fifty Cents For Your Thoughts ?Big Gavhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682404837426502876noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9864176.post-6408263661198069642008-07-29T20:15:00.000+10:002008-07-29T20:15:00.000+10:00Well - the Fifty Cent'ers are working more on an i...Well - the Fifty Cent'ers are working more on an internet forum level than an MSM level.<BR/><BR/>I don't really follow the Israel/Palestine issue closely and I haven't ever noticed any pro-Israeli propaganda squads haunting any of the online places I keep tabs on.<BR/><BR/>I have noticed a few neo-nazi (or at least racist) campaigns in the comments sections of a few tinfoil sites over the years, so the Israelis clearly don't dominate the online forums of the west the way the 50centers are in China.<BR/><BR/>As for the MSM, from what I can see out here, the US media does seem pretty biased towards the Israeli point of view. I didn't get that feeling when I lived in Europe though -- certainly the BBC and Guardian take a pretty neutral stance and report both sides of the story.<BR/><BR/>Here in Oz, The Australian always argues the Israeli party line, the liberal papers are much more balanced. The TV news hardly ever mentions the subject.Big Gavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00682404837426502876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9864176.post-57450026831209552312008-07-29T00:52:00.000+10:002008-07-29T00:52:00.000+10:00Supporters of Israel, organized and otherwise, beh...Supporters of Israel, organized and otherwise, behave in a similar manner to the 50 cent crew and have been largely effective in shutting down criticism of Israel in the US MSM, and to a lesser extent in other countries.<BR/><BR/>Even the most obscure blogs seem to attract minders who attempt to set the record straight. <BR/><BR/>In Australia, you have Antony Lowenstein very capably trying to kick back against them on his blog, and (gasp) in MSM papers from time to time.<BR/><BR/>In the US, despite the heroic efforts of Mearsheimer and Walt, the MSM is off-limits to critics of Israel. In the blogosphere, at least, there is Philip Weiss who is pretty much sui generis.<BR/><BR/>So it would seem the Interweb cuts both ways: it makes information not previously accessible available to those who seek it out but it also facilitates the sort of activities you see the 50 cent party or giyus.org engaged in. <BR/><BR/>Obama has been masterful in his use of the internet for his campaign but has suffered because of it, too, if you consider the "viral" email campaign in the Jewish community suggesting he was a Muslim.<BR/><BR/>Who knows how this medium is going to turn out. For now, at least, there's all to play for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com