Amy Goodman: More cheerful than usual with this interview.
On various cable networks there is a miserable “news” show called Democracy Now! It’s hosted by a severe pursed lipped socialist woman named Amy Goodman. The show is unwatchable. Worse, the show envelopes itself in hopeless propagandistic images and music right out of the sixties. So I was more than a little suprised when former General Janis Karpinski (of Abu Grabe fame) showed up for a near hour-long interview that was an serious eye-opener regarding the USA in Iraq. Appearing on the show to plug her new book. Karpinski was set up as the “fall guy” and is now pissed and naming names. I have linked below to the various feeds of this episode of the show. Please try to get past Amy Goodman, the crummy, maudlin and amateurish imagery and listen to the interview. It’s a shame this in-depth and well done interview had to be broadcast on such an obscure show such as this. Nobody will see it. Hopefully the book will get her on better venues. Whatever the case no other show will leave her on this long and go into this much depth. This is good stuff.
The audio/video link pages are here. I recommend just listening to the audio on an MP3 player. If the show falls into the archives look for the Oct. 26th episode.
You of all people should not be so hasty to criticize people producing a half-assed show on a shoe-string budget. I won’t argue about Goodman’s demeanor (that’s relative), but I think her credentials demand a bit more respect:
“Amy Goodman began her career in community radio in 1985 at Pacifica Radio’s New York Station, WBAI. She produced WBAI’s Evening News for 10 years. In 1990 and 1991, Amy traveled to East Timor to report on the US-backed Indonesian occupation of East Timor. There, she and colleague Allan Nairn witnessed Indonesian soldiers gun down 270 East Timorese. Indonesian soldiers beat Amy and Allan, fracturing Allan’s skull. Their documentary, “Massacre: The Story of East Timor” won numerous awards, including the Robert F. Kennedy Prize for International Reporting, the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award, the Armstrong Award, the Radio/Television News Directors Award, as well as awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
In 1996, Amy helped launch Pacifica Radio’s Democracy Now!. Two years later, Amy and producer Jeremy Scahill went to Nigeria. Their radio documentary “Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria’s Oil Dictatorship” exposed Chevron’s role in the killing of two Nigerian villagers in the Niger Delta, who were protesting yet another oil spill in their community. That documentary won the George Polk Award, the Golden Reel for Best National Documentary from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, and a Project Censored award. In 1999, Amy Goodman traveled to Peru to interview American political prisoner Lori Berenson. It was the first time a journalist had ever gotten into the prison to speak to her. In March of 2004, Amy obtained the international broadcast exclusive of the return of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from imposed exile in the Central African Republic to Jamaica, accompanying the Aristides with the delegation that retrieved them. “
Signed Trevor Goodman
She should have titled the book, “I Got Screwed.”
The interview starts at 11m56s in the RealVideo clip. The background segment leading into the interview starts at 9m37s.
John – I have to agree with the above commments about the value of “Democracy Now!”. Although the overall content of the show is too left wing for some (many) people, the radio show in general is of extraordinary value. If you want to be critical of useless radio shows, there are many political shows that are full of crap that passes as truth, both on the left and on the right. Michael Savage (“the moron nation”), Mike Malloy (“the left-wing moron nation”), Limbaugh (“the “I can’t think for myself” nation), Al Franken (the “it’s supposed to be funny but it just dumb” nation). All of those shows are worthy of derision, because they almost never present any facts, instead just feed weak minded extremists the crap that they like to digest.
“Democracy Now!” is one of the best produced shows, specially considering that it comes out on a daily basis. The historical perspective that it provides, the interviews with significant people, the fact that it is NOT politically correct, often being critical of both sides of the political divide, adds to it’s value. If it is mostly critical of conservatives and the right wing, it is because it is the right wing that tends to be racist, exclusionary, exploitative, blindly patriotic (Germany in the 30’s anyone?), and uninterested or unable to accept alternative points of view.
“Democracy Now” has a podcast. Highly recommended listening, even if only a coupleof times a week.
I don’t know why you hate her show so much? Her DemocracyNow podcasts remain my favourites, the best of cause, TWiT. đ
Dear Awake, this post was about Karpinski and the show she was on. So what does that have to do with the fact that Franken sucks? I was expressing my disdain for this crummy show so NO READER would ever think that I actually like the show and if they also found the show distrubing or plain creepy they might listen to the interview anyway. The slam was done for a good reason. I’m kind of surprised anyone reading this blog watches the thing. Who knew?
Granted Amy Goodman isn’t a charismatic dynamo, but Democracy Now! is a pretty good source for news and information that you won’t get on Faux News. Coming down on that show in an offhanded way as sidebar to trying to make a point about Karpinski’s situation and what she has to say does a disservice to both. I know it’s difficult for Dittoheads and Mike Malloy fans to see the other side of the coin, but what is a stake in American politics is pretty darn important and well worth the time it takes to listen long enough to formulate opinions based on facts and not rants from wing-nut talking heads. Rather you agree or not with Amy Goodman she is at least not another special interest parrot, and possibly part of the last line of defense against the scum that are scapegoating Karpinski.
There is some confusion in your blog readership. Based on your disdain for the current administration and the republican agenda in general, many readers are assuming that you’re far more left than you may be. The old measures of political position lingers. You can be a liberal without being a closet Socilaist, just as you can be a Conservative and not be reactionary. Some readers may have placed you in a camp where they speak of the coming of a new order. đ
John, I would have never thought that my first comments here would be critical.
Yes, the show is obviously low budget, unpolished, but it has – most of the time – more substance and plain reporting than any network TV show, or any “popular” radio show. She does the best job she can, so why don’t you try to concentrate on the content she offers. You’re not the cutest guy either, people (mostly) read your stuff for the content, not for your blue eyes.
I can no longer get my news from TV networks, first of all they are selective as to what they broadcast, and second they tend to turn every event they broadcast into almost lighthearted entertainment show. The censorship on US TV networks (and their buddies in Europe) is now so obvious it makes me nauseous.
I grew up in eastern Europe during the really “fun” times, but I try to explain people that despite of the propaganda and misinformation we were much better informed than folks in the West. We got the standard communist BS, then we (illegally) listened to the VOA, BBC and Radio Free Liberty BS, and then we painted our own picture of what’s going on. Plus the knowledge and information was the only thing they could not take away from us, so we liked to learn and study whatever we got our hands on, and questioned it to make sure that it’s as correct as possible. I know it’s a stretch, but what I hear from official US media these days reminds me in some ways the officially massaged news from my younger years, and only the fact that life is very good for most people in the US makes this possible, as people are too lazy to question anything. I mean you spend days researching whether it will be Accord or Camry, but most people wouldn’t give a minute of their time to learn about East Timor and Kissinger.
So give the lady a chance, ok? But do question what she says just like you would question Ted Koppel, don’t get lazy. Here is another excellent interview she did a while back – http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/09/1526251. Read the book if you get a chance, unfortunately it’s all true.
Democracy Now! is hands down the best news program period. Amy Goodman might now have the looks of Fox “News” casters, but she’s the most intelligent, honest, and tough journalist that I have ever seen. I am so disappointed that Dvorak is so conservative (or anti-intellectual). Twit is going to be a hard swallow next week. I’m pissed.
I’ve not heard or seen of her before, but I don’t see the problem with Amy Goodman. In fact, I think it’s an overall good interview. Also, the screen shot you use for this post could have been a bit more in her favor. I like ya, John, but you could’ve been more fair.
I watch Democracy Now every once and a while and it is a great break from the standard news fare. I agree with most comments here and just give it a shot for some REAL news.
I listen to two podcasts on a regular basis, one is Democracy Now, another is TWiT. If I had to drop one, it would not be the one with Amy Goodman. Closed mind, prison. I’m so disappointed in you Dvorak.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?
Why isn’t John entitled to HIS opinion and to state that he doesn’t like the host of the show? Would you all jump up and down and get all defensive if he said he didn’t like vanilla ice cream? It’s HIS OPINION, folks. Let him have it. No skin off your noses.
This is EXACTLY what is wrong with America today…this “right think” insecure, childish notion that if someone doesn’t dovetail to what YOU THINK, then they must be corrected. It is a big world, folks. We all aren’t going to agree. Try listening to the POINT..that the interview was interesting.
The host of the show must KNOW she rubs some people the wrong way. Duh! We all do. So what? Thicker skins should be on order for everyone.
Quit being such babies……and use your brains. Show some tolerance for other people’s opinions.
I really appreciated this interview and the fact that they let the guest speak at length without interrupting her to smithereens, but MAN, that Amy Goodman! Her bizarre speech affectation was all but unlistenable. She would keep me from listening (or watching) this show in all but the most extreme circumstances. I wanted to drive my car into a wall to put myself out of my misery while I waited for them to get to the interview.
Ballookey, Yes, her speech pattern is part of the problem. If you listen to it you’d swear she was trying to do a comic impression of Walter Chronkite. And, in fact, I do think that’s where she got her cue. Unfortunately she doesn’t understand that sounding natural — aka “like yourself” is preferable. I cannot believe she or anyone else actually talks like that. It’s phony. Apparently many of her fans like the fact that she’s sounds like a pretentious phony. Unless they think that she sounds good talking this way. She sounded natural a couple of times in the interview and it was OK. The affectation is probably easier-to-take as audio-only. It’s a shame she feels obliged to sound like this since you are right: the interview itself is great.
…But, in her defense…there WAS a whole speaking style taught (mid 50’s it was the rage) that was taken up by a smattering of teachers,and continues to this day….the main point was…”kids can’t understand more than three words at a time”. That the brain can’t process more than small clips. It’s called “phrase breaking”.
It’s also been applied to reading. But, some people actually altered their speaking patterns to be “more understandable”. It’s a crackpot notion. But, people will believe anything an expert says..won’t they?
It’s outlined on this website…(citing older text)
http://www.ttms.org/say_about_a_book/phrase_craze.htm
“I have found that the single most effective strategy for improving comprehension is something I call âphrase breaking.â Take a look at this short passage:
The bus lurched along the switch-backed mountain road, throwing Keith against the window at every turn.
âfrom âA Roadside Understandingâ by Ben Hippen
Now, imagine that it was being read like this:
The bus
lurched along
the switch-backed mountain road,
throwing Keith against the window
at every turn.
When you break the text into small, meaningful chunks, your comprehension, fluency, and reading rate all improve. ”
And, you sound like a moron speaking….and it gets on the nerves of everyone listening as…most people (except brain damaged, perhaps) process language at a much faster pace.
Maybe the host of the show should learn some modern techniques?
Well apparently it does not get on everyone’s nerves. It just bothers those who do like being talked to in a patronizing manner. That said Hillary Clinton has a clipped patter that makes her sound like she’s talking to fifth-graders. AND I know a lot of people who have said “she’s a great speaker!”
Site admin,
You’re being way to nice. – She talks like a real bitchy (not in a good way) teacher talks to fifth graders.
But next to the Duh – Helen Keller was a bad ass speaker and thats before Anne Sullivan.
ok. YOU are a jerk, john. seperately, democracynow episodes can be viewed streaming or by download daily, monday through friday without fail.
OMG she sounds like a robot, there’s a gap between each syllable.
Having never heard of Amy Goodman’s show before, I had a relative open mind. I didn’t find her difficult to listen to; I have a six year old that always tries hard to express herself.
As for the interview, I much preferred that to anything I see on 60 minutes, 48 hours, or Dateline. This was an honest interview where the guest was allowed to expand on the question in detail. And it was the interview itself that was the whole purpose of the blog.
Surprised? No. But then I expected Karpinsky to toot her own horn anyway. Maybe when we are out of Iraq and a new Administration is in place will the truth finally come out. All the truth.
If you don’t care for Amy’s look and you’re in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, you can listen to Democracy Now! on KPFA (94.1 or streaming) live at 0600 and rebroadcast at 0900 Pacific time Monday through Friday.
I think John wants to give Amy a big SMOOCH!!
Well I read all the comments to see if anyone would mention the fact that, first, last and always …Democracy Now is a RADIO SHOW, produced by the Pacifica Radio Network. The video is not the emphasis of their production, nor does it reach the majority, dare say a fraction of their audience.
Are they the “left” media? You bet they are, but they are listener sponsored left, not “boutique left living a right lifestyle with a healthy financial portfolio”.
Most radio shows that provide video feeds of their hosts either through a major network (Imus/MSNBC), or a local affiliate, aren’t seeking to achieve a tv market share, but rather grow their radio listener base, and strengthen what they’ve got.
The irony for me is that, of the articles I have read of Dvorak since the mid 90’s, he strikes me as having similiar philosophical assumptions about corporations and their impact on communication and innovation as does the Demo Now staff and audience.