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by Ted Holteen
 There are many, but among the biggest criticisms
of the news industry today is the constant progression
toward a blurring of the lines between entertainment and journalism.
A quick channel stop at CNN or Fox News is all that's needed to illustrate
this point. While watching professionally coifed talking heads opining
on the hot topic of the day presented in split screens showing two to
four people, you can stay up to date on sports scores, quirky headlines
from around the nation and the latest Hollywood gossip by simultaneously
watching the bottom of the screen and the myriad guests. If you're quick
enough to still get the gist of the story through all the bells and whistles,
remember that the story you're getting has been pasteurized, homogenized
and sterilized to conform to the worldview of the media outlet that spends
millions on slick presentation to ensure that you get the message they
want you to get. Need a breath of fresh air, if you will? Then come out
to the Smiley Building on Saturday night for an evening of revelation
and anger with the angriest woman in journalism (my words, not hers)
Amy Goodman .
Every day at noon on KDUR-FM, 91.9 & 93.9, Goodman
hosts “Democracy Now!,” a program that she started
during the 1996 presidential race to give daily updates
on the behind-the-scenes evils of the Dole and Clinton
campaigns. The show was so well received that she has
been doing it ever since, five days a week. Goodman's
career is fascinating, including stops in global hotbeds
like East Timor and Nigeria, where she produced award-winning
documentaries on human rights abuses and government
conspiracies involving the good ‘ol USA. She is an
equal-opportunity whistle-blower, making enemies of
Democrats and Republicans alike, as well as most of
the mainstream media. Keeping in mind my earlier reference
to the entertainment/news mishmash, Goodman's lectures
are some of the best entertainment going, and she doesn't
need a set from MGM or Paramount to get her message
across. As a bonus, you may just want to punch someone
in the mouth on the way out. Please don't. Goodman
will speak at the Smiley Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Saturday,
Sept. 25, and tickets are on sale at Maria's Bookshop,
Southwest Sound and Fort Lewis College. Oh, and for
what it's worth (which is a lot), the evening is a
benefit for KDUR and Durango Community Access Television.
Both are worthy of and can really use the money, so
buck up.
So, how about some entertainment without all that
annoying news coverage? We've got that, too. Tonight,
(Thursday) the Concert Hall welcomes Robert Earl Keen
with special guest, Danny Barnes . There's more on
that on page 19. Even if you're too lazy to read that
story, go to the show anyway.
In town, at the Summit, it's Chronophonic , a jazz-type
outfit that will play both Friday and Saturday nights.
What is Chronophonic? I don't know. But one description
goes like this: “A more subtle, smooth approach than
a lot of bands that are overcrowding this funk, hip-hop
jazz genre.” Hmmm. Did I mention that the Summit's
got a great pool table?
The Abbey Theatre takes a break from the music scene
this weekend to premiere a new film, “The Animation
Show,” which sounds like fun, although I haven't seen
it yet, and it's only running for a week. It's produced
by “Beavis and Butthead” creator Mike Judge, along
with legendary animator Don Hertzfeldt, and includes
a collection of old and new animation that sounds like
a stoner's wet dream. Check it out starting on Friday,
and while you're there, get your tickets for The Supersuckers
next Thursday, Sept. 30. More on that next week.
Finally, I must address a subject near and dear to
my heart. Of course, I'm talking about farming. What,
just because they paved the last farm in my hometown
of Philadelphia shortly after the English left Yorktown,
you don't think I know where my Wonder Bread's buttered?
But seriously, folks, Thursday kicks off a four-day
lovefest of regional small farmers and people who like
to eat that ends on Sunday.  The big event tonight,
Sept. 23, is the 18th annual Bounty of the County ,
which in its first 17 years or so was called The Taste
of La Plata County. Either way, gluttony reigns in
the parking lot of the Doubletree Hotel as local food
producers showcase their best for us to sample, be
it meat, vegetable, dairy or the ever-popular variety
platter. Careful, though. Remember earlier this summer
when the GameTime kids went to Sunnyside Farms for
a field trip on slaughter day? Good stuff. I had a
similar experience a few years back at “The Taste.” While
waiting for my second or fifth serving of delicious
lamb, reality set in as a flatbed stacked about 6 feet
high with sheep carcasses rolled past. Having no conscience
or sense of social awareness worked in my favor that
night as I didn't miss a bite, but I can see how those
with a weaker constitution could at best lose their
appetite, and at worst become one of those vegetarian
types. For shame. Just remember our place high atop
the food chain, and bon appetit! Throughout the weekend
there will be tours, music and, get this, a barbecue
and barn dance. It's all geared toward the well-deserved
glorification of small farmers, who certainly need
all the help they can get. If you think big corporations
are doing damage in the media world, wait ‘til you
sink your teeth into a burger made from Grade A Beef
Presented by FedEx. Help stop the madness.
Shout at the Devil. ted@ksut.org . Somebody please
beat the Yankees. |
