Letters to the Editor
softdog
Published Letters: 178 Editor's Choice: 7
-
Hey, it works
[Read the article: Salon's new letters registration policy]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm glad the new registration system works - although my confirmation email linked to an error page.
I wish it was technically possible to track the old system aliases to the new one, since I always used the same email and alias. On the other hand, many of my old letters are impulsive statements of questionable coherence and occasionally awful typos.
I think this will make me more careful, not about the content of my opinion but the manner of presentation. Even if can choose anonymity and still don't use my real name, the view all letters option means every separate letter is potentially part of the collective impression attached to my alias.
It may only be a momentary restraint on trolling, but for many it will be enough.
-
A Few Missed Points
[Read the article: "Grindhouse"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]One thing which seems unnoticed is the politics of Grindhouse, especially Rodriguez. Planet Terror involves betrayed and depraved vets of the War On Terror unleashing a zombie bioweapon in a coldblooded scheme to discover a cure. The Machete trailer is satire of immigrant politics.
Which is actually part of the Grindhouse genre. Part of the thrill is the accidental and intentional cultural subtexts of these allegedly thoughtless films. The arthouse and grindhouse of the 70s wasn't that far apart, stylistically or philosophically - behind the camera if not in the end product.
It points out how schlock is a constant in movies, but in the past primitive production values excused the dumber films and added a certain charm, while current high budget action/horror are usually just as wooden but far more soulless.
One perverse aspect of Grindhouse is how it's not so much exploitation but energy which is released under the guise of sleaze. The plots would fit more conventional treatments, but here they have combative twin babysitters who would either be cut from a more traditional flick or presented in an even more cartoony, beer ad offensive, way.
For all the leering, these films are less misogynist than usualy fare (if not entirely free of it). Women get to DO stuff and the most sexist male characters meet hideous fates.
I'd say those who are turned off by the female bonding scenes in Death Proof may be confused by sexism. The banter is just as enjoyable as other Tarantino flicks, except it's largely confident happy females instead of blustering insecure guys.
Tarantino seems to respond to how his films (including Kill Bill) have few banter scenes for women. This is like his female version of Reservoir Dogs.
It's still a presentation of a male fantasy, but instead of Russ Meyer or a purely visual tough girl, these are foulmouthed, hedonistic and unapologetically brazen. Within this context Stuntman Mike is not just an echo of past films, but male insecurity. His murderous impulse directed at the youth and independence of these women. The moment he's confronted by women with similar skills, he's bested and turns coward.
It's far from perfect (there's a joke I thought implied rape which struck a sour note) but there's a lot more meaty moments for groups of women in this film than nearly all American action movies and even some chick flicks.
I'm just saying.
-
Conservatives lie about the Fairness Doctrine to attack Equal Time
[Read the article: Is Rush Limbaugh next?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Are these guys even familiar with The Fairness Doctrine?
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/fairness.html
It was a vague thing from the start and remained despite a supreme court decision upholding it. It was a mix of good and dubious motives which is probably why when it got killed it stayed dead.
The most specific and consistend enforcement surrounded elections and is still addressed by the equal time rule. I do think this needs strengthening, but this wouldn't affect talk radio - just prevent thinly disguised free campaign ads during elections.
In part this stems from right wing lies over the Sinclair Broadcast Group's attempt to air the anti-Kerry Swift Boat documentary. They attempted to claim this was about the defunct fairness doctrine, but it was actually about the parameters of the Equal Time Rule. In the end, it was public reaction which decided it, because government intervention didn't occur.
This whole topic is nothing but another "War On Xmas" pandering to the base. It a way for conservatives to pretend they're endangered or being unfairly attacked at a time when they are in trouble for not obeying real rules.