Scott S. Topiol

Clear Channel Communications yesterday went to court in an attempt to prevent a group--to which they sold billboard space in Times Square--from using the advertising space to display a message depicting a red, white, and blue cartoon-style bomb with the text "Democracy is best taught by example, not by war." According to Clear Channel, the message and image depicted on the proposed billboard is "distatasteful to the community." Clear Channel claims that the image of a cartoon bomb is "offensive" to the population of New York City as they are sensitive to such imagery. Apparenlty it's Clear Channel's duty to make sure that no one in the country be offended.

Of course we all know that Clear Channel's true motive is its perversely close relationship with the Bush administration and the Republican party. It is no coincidence that the billboard in question is scheduled to display during the Republican National Convention. It is no coincidence that Clear Channel is doing everything in their power to weasel out of their contract so as to not fall into disfavor with their Republican bedfellows.

I am a Republican...but for how much longer?

What's frightening is that Clear Channel has--in all practicality--become the government's Ministry of Propaganda. Clear Channel, with the help of the current administration, has launched a moral crusade against free speech. While Congress shall not enact any legislation limiting the rights of the press or of the people to express themselves, there's nothing to stop a "private" corporation from choosing what they will and will not air, display, or report. That's the beauty of our capitalist system...businesses have carte blanche to do as they please.

It is no surprise that this present administration is constantly increasing Clear Channel's dominance. Clear Channel now dominates the vast majority of media outlets in the country. You can't visit a single region without being subjected to at least a handful of Clear Channel's radio stations or other outlets. Not only does this market dominance allow for legalized brainwashing by subjecting people to biased programming and limited choices, but it helps to strip small towns and states of their cultures, homogonizing the nation. Local radio stations are giving way to centralized national programming that broadcast the same message from the same point of view no matter where you may roam.

We listen to what they want us to; hear the versions of songs that they deem appropriate--nevermind the artist's vision. Missing are messages, words, or ideas that "good Christians" shouldn't hear. We should all be "good Christians," regardless of our underlying faiths. We all receive one truth...their truth. We accept it.

The WalMart effect.

posted at 08:20

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Thank God it's Friday (for me it is, at least). This past week has been the longest in recent memory. In all honesty I should have called in sick the past three days, but being the identured servant that I am I had no choice but to work; despite being sick as a dog.

I need a vacation. Only a few more weeks.

On August 3rd Nicole and I will take the skies for sunny Southern California for eight days of beaches, good food, culture, and sun. Most importantly though, we intend on being lazy as can be for a better part of those eight days. This time the trip will truly be a "vacation." I"m counting down the days...I can't wait to get away from Rochester for a while.

I can't believe that it's been a year already since I moved. It seems like just the other day I was packing the U-haul full of all my worldly posessions and hitting the road with my sister on the adventure of a lifetime. Although I miss home at times and complain about Rochester often, the truth is that I am happy. If I had it to do all over again I would--in a heartbeat. The best experience of my life has been moving from Los Angeles to live with Nicole out here in the Rochester area. I am happy for the first time that I can remember; I feel that I have grown infinitely as a person, and will always look back on these years in New York with fondness.

I must admit that there is a part of me that will miss living in upstate New York when we finally move. I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to returning to congested traffic, smog, and a single perpetual season (though I will be glad to be rid of the 8 months of winter that is Rochester). Still, I am looking forward to returning to a land where one can grab a midnight snack, walk to the movies, or just relax at a corner coffee shop or café. It will be nice to enjoy a Canter's ruben and a black and white cookie (NOT A HALF MOON PIE!) whenever the craving strikes.

Although I am not completely thrilled with moving back to Los Angeles (to be perfectly honest I would much rather be able to live in New York City), it will still be nice to move back to a bustling metropolis. If anything, I have learned that--despite what I had once believed--I am truly a city dweller. Rochester, with its population of 250,000 just doesn't fit the bill. Though==to be perfectly honest--anywhere that I am with Nicole is home.

posted at 06:32

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