Bizarre news story and an indirectly related rant

[the anti-myrmidon]

I will first qualify this by saying that it's clear that the guy is crazy independently of any religious aspects of the situation.

story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=9&u=/nm/20041103/od_nm/odd_taiwan_lion_dc

Some of you may have seen this yesterday. It's a guy who jumped into a lion's pen at a Taipei zoo and yelled "Jesus will save you!" at some lions. He also yelled "Come bite me" a few times before one lion took him up on his offer (to bite him, not that Jesus will save it). Amusing, if somewhat distressing.

Here's what really pisses me off, particularly in relation to the election and what America is becoming, especially the media. We have a media that is afraid to offend anyone. They are afraid to ask tough questions of government officials because they fear that they will no longer be able to get interviews. They are also afraid of offending their viewers if some aspect of a story is likely to disturb or annoy some of them. Instead, they will give a half-assed account of what happened, which while still communicating the gist of the event (such as how crazy that sumbitch at the zoo was), nevertheless leaves out other major information that further explains it.

Why do I say this, and why in relation to the above story? Because I saw a short segment yesterday on MSNBC about it. MSNBC, one of the much maligned "liberal" networks (comparatively speaking at least) mentioned only that the man had jumped in and screamed "come bite me!" There was no mention whatsoever about the religious motive (however insane and nonindicative of the average Christian), which seems to be the reason why the man jumped in to begin with. Whether he was trying to win them over for Jesus or Vishnu or Allah is beside the point....there was a clear (if misguided) religious motive that explained the man's actions, but MSNBC said NOTHING. The media typically does not shy away from reporting actions committed for religious reasons and what those reasons are (terrorism being the most obvious example, but I am also talking about far less major news items), so why do it now?

Anyway, I feel like I want to puke after reading the op-eds Sean posted about the election, so I'd better stop here and try to get some work done.

Susan "It's a dark, dark day when statistics homework seems fun" Wise

[Seany-D]

I think you're spot-on about the media becoming afraid to seriously grill anyone. It's all about the ratings now, anyway. I think the right has the media right where it wants it: if the media puts out a critical story, it the "liberal bias". And what's the right wing's answer to "liberal bias"? Balanced reporting? Hell, no! Conservative bias! The only place I'll concede a liberal bias is in liberally biased op-ed writers, but I see plenty of conservatively biased writers as well, so what's the beef? In effect, the media only is believeable if it confirms what the left or the right already believes. The public has become too close-minded to consider opposing views. Had I been so close minded when I was being raised, I'd probably not be an atheist. Or favor fiscal conservativism.

Overall, religion has become such a touchy subject that you can't even give an impression of maligning any part of the "Big Three" orthodoxy lest you be branded a Satan-worshipper. The resurgence of evangelicalism in this country is nothing less than astounding. What would it take for the public to call out a religiously-motivated fuckup as such short of blue track suits, a comet and kool aid?


Sean "sorry to make Susan queasy" Davis

[The Buckeye Bitch]

Well, the video is now posted on MSN in affiliation with MSNBC, and the caption does mention the "Jesus will save you" line. But having it posted on the internet while not broadcasting it is still problematic.

Anyway, not sure if this link will actually work, but this should take you to the video of the incident:
video.msn.com/video/p.htm?i=f5be175f-5983-496f-9f79-397de6207a4c&m=News&mi=Peculiar%20Postings

Susan "What assignment due at 5pm?" Wise

[Valvilis]

I'd like to add that, Christians here in America, shouldn't feel that just because they can't travel to Taipai, that lions at their local zoo wouldn't suffice. Feel free to test your religious conviction with any member of the great cat family, anywhere, and at any time. This man was only choosing a location convenient for him.

P.S. If you decide on Potter Park, please post a short message with a date and time before doing so, thank you.

P.P.S. I bet this is what happened in Rome and all those nice Romans got blamed for it all these millenia ever since.

[Valvilis]

Susan,

In a serious address to the topic, terrorism is a different story for two main reasons, the lesser, and more obvious of the two, is that the 9/11 terrorists weren't Christians. The more important being, the 9/11 terrorists weren't terrorists. We were attacked by Saudi Arabia, plain and simple. But the Saudi royals have their poopy little hands so far up W's chute that the puppet would never have said the Saudis attacked, so we got religious terrorists instead. Religion is used when convinient, and not when it's not. Plain and simple. The media has no desire to report the news, they just want say whatever they have to in order to keep getting their money. If that means protecting Christians, Saudis, and corporate entities, then that's exactly what they'll keep doing.

[Seany-D]

Jason --

While I agree that Saudi Arabia is using us dearly while we have an oil IV in, and the media has fallen far short of its responsibility in bringing forth the state of the US-Saudi relations, I am not so sure that I would claim that the 9/11 hijackers were anything more than terrorists. Well funded terrorists, yes, but I don't see the link between the Saud family and their funding. Do you have a source where I could get more information about this?

Also, for the rest of the gang, any thoughts on what the impending death of King Faud will have on the state of the middle east?

Sean "our dependence on oil is ridiculous" Davis

[quirkysmirky]

I am just curious how the guy knew the lions weren't Christians.

~Jessica

[Seany-D]

quirkysmirky said:

I am just curious how the guy knew the lions weren't Christians.

Tiny, leopard-skin yarmulkes.

[Valvilis]

He had to have thought they were Christians. Jesus only saves Christians, and he told them Jesus would save them. Remember, we heathens are screwed regardless.