(no subject)

filkertom has a post in which he echoes someone else in excoriating the media coverage of the Democratic candidacy for, among other things, taking cheap shots at the candidate they don't like. He mentions how, although he doesn't support that candidate, he regards this treatment as "pathetic." Another blogger I've seen (but can't at this point identify, sorry) has mentioned that the way this candidate is being treated is making him or her more sympathetic to the said person.

I suppose it's a natural human reaction. Whether we agree with someone or no, we feel the urge to defend them against unworthy attacks.

EDIT: and ataniell93 has pointed to this, which has the best statement of this principle I've found yet: "what snide-and-demeaning always misses is the people on the other side of the target."

The things people watch for fun

There's been this trailer for a series called The Unit. You know the format: élite combat squad, above the law, beyond the police, answerable only to the president in person (gee, what a neat idea that is!), so secret they don't exist (and so presumably don't get paid) and trained to follow any order without question. The trailer's caption cards go: "Let every nation know | that we will pay any price | oppose any foe | bear any burden | to assure the survival | of Liberty."

And my mind keeps on going: "tap any phone | discredit any enquiry | torture any civilian | shoot any witness..."