Do not attempt to adjust your set

[battleshipkropotkin]

President Obama has called for a new era of responsibility – recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and world to serve others. It is the price and promise of citizenship.

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/10/15/leaked-memo-reveals-the-white-house-has-control-of-your-television-set/

On September 10th of this year the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) posted a press release informing the world that “from October 19-25, more than 60 network TV shows [will] spotlight the power and personal benefits of service,” and that this “unprecedented block of TV programming is the first wave of a multi-year ‘I Participate’ campaign.”

On its face this all sounds rather benign in that silly, liberal do-gooder kind of way. The networks have launched these kinds of campaigns before and other than some clunky exposition awkwardly inserted into your favorite show to meet the mandate — no harm, no foul.

But this year there are a couple new strangers in town: “Volunteerism” and “Service.” You’ve heard of them. Their names have been bandied everywhere since President Obama took office, and this internal memo from the EIF to network showrunners obtained by Big Hollywood shows that the entertainment industry is well acquainted and eager to introduce both to as vast an audience as possible.

................

“The ability to both entertain and inform is one of the hallmarks of a broadcast network,” says Nina Tassler, president of CBS Entertainment. ”Integrating messages of volunteerism and service into America’s favorite television shows can have a powerful and lasting impact that benefits both the audience and the country at large.”

NBC president Angela Bromstad agrees. ”The week of volunteer-themed programming in October provides an opportunity for the networks to tap the power of television,” she says.

The ultimate goal, says Stephen McPherson, president of ABC Entertainment is “to get people thinking about what they can do in terms of volunteering, and then to act on that.”

“The most satisfying result for us is when our programs entertain viewers as well as inform them—and maybe even call them to action,” FOX Entertainment president Kevin Reilly points out.



The memo:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13226597/eif-doc

[brainpanhandler]

How the hell did this thread get over 2400 views in a mere 4 days? That's over 600 views per day. And there were no replies.

[MidWorld]

I believe its because most everyone has seen enough.

[mentalgongfu2]

Those view numbers do seem odd. That aside, the admitted use of television programs to propagandize for the government is noteworthy. We all know it happens, but the admission is telling. In this case, the message is described as volunteerism and service, but the method works for any message


“from October 19-25, more than 60 network TV shows [will] spotlight the power and personal benefits of service

...

”Integrating messages of volunteerism and service into America’s favorite television shows can have a powerful and lasting impact that benefits both the audience and the country at large.”

NBC president Angela Bromstad agrees. ”The week of volunteer-themed programming in October provides an opportunity for the networks to tap the power of television,” she says.

[brainpanhandler]

I believe its because most everyone has seen enough.

Maybe I'm being dense, but can you elaborate?

[brainpanhandler]

Those view numbers do seem odd.

Very odd.

That aside, the admitted use of television programs to propagandize for the government is noteworthy. We all know it happens, but the admission is telling.

EIF is mobilizing the entire entertainment community around the ground-breaking, multi-year I PARTICIPATE, which will promote a new way of thinking about service and seek to persuade millions more Americans to volunteer regularly. To jumpstart the campaign, Entertainment Industry President and CEO Lisa Paulsen, Tyler Perry and Ashton Kutcher announced its 2009 centerpiece: a week-long television event running from October 19th to the 25th, when America’s most-loved TV shows on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC and other broadcast networks will spotlight service through scripted programming, segments and PSAs with inspirational messages and storylines about volunteerism. Randy Jackson (FOX), Christine Baranski (CBS), Tim Daly (ABC) and Michelle Trachtenberg (NBC) also participated in the announcement.

I'm not sure what is meant by "scripted programming", but I guess I would find it noteworthy if messages were embedded within "America's most loved TV shows" with the aim of surreptitiously influencing people's attitudes and actions and the government blessed the endeavor, regardless of how well intentioned or noble the cause. But for all I know the volunteerism messages in these shows are all accompanied by some sort of formal announcement about the Iparticipate campaign.

In this case, the message is described as volunteerism and service, but the method works for any message

Did you read the entire article? The author seems to have a special dislike of Planned Parenthood and athiests.

[MidWorld]

Maybe I'm being dense, but can you elaborate?

Well Obama has done nothing but proven that he is beholden to special interests, and also is just the status quo.

How many different ways do we need to show this until it becomes redundant?

[brainpanhandler]

Maybe I'm being dense, but can you elaborate?

Well Obama has done nothing but proven that he is beholden to special interests, and also is just the status quo.

How many different ways do we need to show this until it becomes redundant?

and that's why this thread had over 2400 views in 4 days?

[IanEye]

Code: Select all

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/jjmnolte/2009/10/15/leaked-memo-reveals-the-white-house-has-control-of-your-television-set

Breitbart?

If in 1990 I had decided that I didn't like Robert Maxwell, and that in the spirit 'the enemy of my enemy was my friend' I chose to ally myself with Rupert Murdoch,
I'd feel like a real putz right now.

Whatever my issues with the status quo, I am not making alliances with Andrew Breitbart.

[n0x23]

How the hell did this thread get over 2400 views in a mere 4 days? That's over 600 views per day. And there were no replies.

Perhaps it's something in the title of the thread striking a chord in the collective unconscious, but the actual subject of the thread does not meet their preconception(s) of the title.

Which is odd and intriguing.

Bernays wet dream!




Also, Socialism Disney style....maybe Hugh IS onto something...

Give a Day of Volunteer Service in 2010, Get a Day of Disney Theme Park Fun – Free

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/09/give-a-day-of-volunteer-service-in-2010-get-a-day-of-disney-theme-park-fun-%E2%80%93-free/

[Wombaticus Rex]

There's only one reason a thread would have those kinds of numbers: an external link on a high-traffic site.

Thus, nobody viewing would comment because they'd have to register and that's, like, so much work, man, plus the background of this forum is kinda freaky and I have, like, NO idea what most of these dudes are talking about....you know?

You know.

[n0x23]

Well, I'm going to stick with my theory, Rex, it's much more exotic and mysterious, yours, is far too rational and logically grounded and frankly...no offense, but, booor-ing.

[Wombaticus Rex]

No offense taken! Explanations are so often a disappointment, I understand 100%

[brainpanhandler]

There's only one reason a thread would have those kinds of numbers: an external link on a high-traffic site.

I'm not sure I understand you. Help me out, how exactly does that work?

[Nordic]

President Obama has called for a new era of responsibility – recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and world to serve others. It is the price and promise of citizenship.

Hm, well to me this sounds like a call to revolution.

Let's go!