I have been less than happy with what was passing for "reporting " on PBS the past 3 years, but DAMN if I didn't really sit there in silent awe as I watched Bill Moyers' "Buying the War" last night.
It left me slightly depressed in a way; because it brought back so many memories. There were so many of us that saw the invasion for the farce that it was before it even began. So many of us that tried to tell others that this was just wrong. That it was unjustified and based on lies. It really brought back the sting of how I felt when I was called a "traitor", a "commie", "un-American", a "fringe crazed conspiracy theorist that hated America". It brought back that feeling of alienation which eventually led to quitting my job of fifteen years with a defense contractor because I just could not live with the feeling of having innocent blood on my hands.
It was exactly what I hoped it would make me feel like.
I'm not gonna mince words. Most of the reporting over the past three years on PBS has been lame drivel. Not questioning the government, or instigating discussion. Not investigating questionable policy. It seemed that they were constantly reporting on what the "poor-government" has to contend with, what the conditions were in Iraq, soldier’s stories, etc.
Moyers is hard hitting. Much like another hero of mine-Edward R. Murrow, Moyers is not afraid to call the government on to the carpet to account for themselves to the American people. His reporting before 2004 constantly questioned the war, the misuse of 9-11 hysteria, and other devious tactics the Bush administration used to gain single party control over the government. He ran hard hitting stories on how the White House ideologues manipulated the legislature and the constitution for selfish gains. The Republican controlled Congress was scared of this man, and cut funding for public television prior to the recent midterm elections because of him.
PBS, and especially Bill Moyers have never been considered mainstream. Thank god. Now with a democratic controlled congress that once again has their hand on the wallet, PBS is finally returning to what they were doing before-keeping an eye on the government.
Bill Moyers Journal