Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 86

'NYT' Sneering at Greenwald?

Update: Let the battle begin (or continue):  Andrew Sullivan hits the female Sullivan here.  We will resist the word "sully."

Earlier: The Times' fine public editor Margaret Sullivan takes up the simmering issue of that Michael Kinsley review of Glenn Greenwald's new book in a just-posted online column.   Beyond the broad criticisms by Kinsley that apply to other investigative journalists, the piece drew questions because of the choice of the (biased) reviewer.   Sullivan got this weak response from the Book Review editor: “I think this is one of those subjects that people have strong feelings about, and there are obviously entrenched interests on either side...It is a smart, lively, well-written review that took a point of view about the book and the subject matter.”  Sullivan, on the other hand, hits the weak editing of the review, calling it neither "fair" not "accurate." 

Sullivan's conclusion:

Book reviews are opinion pieces and — thanks to the principles of the First Amendment — Mr. Kinsley is certainly entitled to freely air his views. But there’s a lot about this piece that is unworthy of the Book Review’s high standards, the sneering tone about Mr. Greenwald, for example; he is called a “go-between” instead of a journalist and is described as a “self-righteous sourpuss.” ...

But worse, Mr. Kinsley’s central argument ignores important tenets of American governance. There clearly is a special role for the press in America’s democracy; the Founders explicitly intended the press to be a crucial check on the power of the federal government, and the United States courts have consistently backed up that role. It’s wrong to deny that role, and editors should not have allowed such a denial to stand. Mr. Kinsley’s argument is particularly strange to see advanced in the paper that heroically published the Pentagon Papers, and many of the Snowden revelations as well.

Soldier Suicides

My new piece at The Nation on new film re: soldier suicides.

Noting Baseball

NYT tonight with piece on recent Pulitzer-winning composer John Luther Adams and his love for baseball--it seems the paper even set him up with Mets tickets.  Mention that Charles Ives was player and fan and wrote some baseball music.  And here's one:

Boom

NYT covers wedding of "Boom Boom" this weekend so here's the classic Zevon song.

'Glory' For Memorial Day

From Kubrick's Paths of Glory, one of 10 greatest movies ever.

Still 'Living With War'

More Neil Young from one of great albums of recent years.

51 Years Later: Still Masters

Dylan's second, and breakthrough, album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, released 51 years ago today.  So, for Memorial Day, Pearl Jam's live version of "Masters of War."

Shooter's Grandfather Was Famed Photog

By now we all know that Santa Barbara mass killer's dad was a Hollywood asst. director.  But now we learn, via Haaretz, that George Rodger his grandfather took some of the iconic photos from World War II and the Holocaust. 

Update: Shooting Victim's Father Hits NRA, Politicians

Update:  Mr. Martinez continues to hit "idiots" in Congress for not acting after Sandy Hook.

Earlier:  Father of one of the victims of crazed killer's shooting rampage (he was the boy shot in the deli) in Isla Vista reads statement blasting guns, the NRA, politicians, with plea to "stop the madness."  Directly blames NRA and politicians for the death.  Pleads for action so there will "not be one more." Fox commentators and others already focusing on no need for action--since the kid also killed three with a knife (a rarity in mass slayings).   Much more on the day here.  And shooter's father as Hollywood director and his warnings weeks ago.

Shooting Victim's Father Hits NRA, Politicians

Father of one of the victims of crazed killer's shooting rampage in Isla Vista reads statement blasting guns, the NRA, politicians, with plea to "stop the madness."  Directly blames NRA and politicians for the death.  Pleads for action so there will "not be one more." CNN site quotes parts of his statement--but not the key blasts at the NRA and politicians.   Much more on the day here.  And shooter's father as Hollywood director and his warnings weeks ago.