Video: Iran protesters realize there’s only one way to recapture media’s attention
posted at 3:40 pm on June 26, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Spectacular meme convergence via Gateway Pundit. “Will Michael Jackson doom Iran?” wonders the Daily Beast. Well, no, silly: Michael Jackson’s dead and can’t doom anybody. Moronic media priorities might doom Iran. To wit:
“I think we can agree that the Iranian regime benefits from the media rush to memorialize, explore and reflect upon Michael Jackson and his legacy,” Ackerman wrote in a blog post last night. In an e-mail interview, Ackerman told the Beast that “anything that takes up Twitter bandwidth away from [the Iran election] is bad for the opposition, and anything that distracts the cable networks from showing images of the crackdown is similarly bad.” He added that the international media distractions could give the regime “more room to violently suppress its opposition during a critical phase.”…
A spokesperson for the New York-based International Campaign for Human Rights, Hadi Ghaemi, said that the intense international media attention on Iran “does have a great impact on how the government treats the protestors,” but said he could not comment on American domestic issues.
“It’s not something we can really do anything about,” Ghaemi said of media coverage of Jackson’s death. “I suppose I’m concerned, but the world is a big place and things happen.”
See this cartoon for a snapshot of what we’ll be getting next week on cable news in lieu of revolution. Exit question: What’s more insufferable, straight-up unapologetic Jackson coverage or weak attempts like this to integrate it with the real story of the day?
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Is “beat it” really the right song for this?
lorien1973 on June 26, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Is it me or have I been editing too much lately….there’s a ‘one’ missing in the sentence, no? Or is that ‘won’?
HornetSting on June 26, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Yeah, who cares if millions of people are risking their lives to remain free, some overrated, freakshow, has-been pervert just OD’d on drugs?
Our media just all around sucks.
NoDonkey on June 26, 2009 at 3:45 PM
The news channels literally have nothing to report, yet they’re on the air saying “TMZ will be releasing a 911 call later today!”
Who cares!
There are wars going on. Revolutions, and drama on the high seas, a massive tax plotted on the American people, and the best our press can do is wall to wall coverage of an over the hill mental case. Every news channel? Really?
Pathetic.
Iblis on June 26, 2009 at 3:47 PM
I think they are glad they could stop covering Iran, it provided too much of a contrast to the inactions by the O.
dpierson on June 26, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Yes, the Mullah’s need to “Beat It”
jp on June 26, 2009 at 3:47 PM
If our CIA is to be blamed for the death of Neda, do the Mullahs get the blame for MJ?
fourdeucer on June 26, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Leave Allahpundit alone!
Loxodonta on June 26, 2009 at 3:49 PM
“Smooth Criminal”?
exception on June 26, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Sheer awesomeness.
Emily M. on June 26, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Weak attempts are obviously more obnoxious, on account of being a stupid argument piled on a stupid story. That’s an entire extra dose of stupid. 100% more stupid.
omriceren on June 26, 2009 at 3:50 PM
NO, that is reserved for Obama.
seriously, someone get on that
jp on June 26, 2009 at 3:50 PM
The House of Representatives observed a moment of silence. Three guesses who it was for…the first two don’t count.
capitalist piglet on June 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM
With or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday or Bullet the Blue Sky all by U2 seems more appropriate.
moonbatkiller on June 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I’ve tried twice, can’t stomach more than the first 27 seconds of it. The music is too upbeat for the horror of Iran. A requiem is in order.
obladioblada on June 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM
“We are the world”?
portlandon on June 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM
the world is obsessed with MJ, this will have to do.
now if Metallica dies, then its own
jp on June 26, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Agreed.
Stomper on June 26, 2009 at 3:52 PM
The double entendre is as delicious as the most innocent veal.
alliebobbitt on June 26, 2009 at 3:53 PM
whatever works man
jp on June 26, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Those with the billy clubs love the song, too.
theperfecteconomist on June 26, 2009 at 3:53 PM
How do we stop feeding it the moronic media?
Loxodonta on June 26, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Paging Weird Al Yankovic. . .
Skandia Recluse on June 26, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Bono’s still alive and evading his taxes.
alliebobbitt on June 26, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Whaddya mean, he’s gone out for a hamburger, ice cream and he allowed the entire ABC news staff to fellate him for an hour in prime time last week.
NoDonkey on June 26, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Sorry, HornetSting. There’s an “it” in that sentence which did not belong.
Loxodonta on June 26, 2009 at 3:55 PM
He fixed it. See, I’m not going crazy, Lox. I actually defended Allah on the MJ-BJ thread, but my comment got booted. Just helping our ‘dear leader’ out.
BTW, I got this really scary vision of you in front of a camera, screaming like the Britney defender……’Leave Allah Alone!’
:)
HornetSting on June 26, 2009 at 3:56 PM
but but but its for the starving kids in africa…
moonbatkiller on June 26, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Thanks. I’ve been using that phrase for a long time and never knew it’s cultural reference. Britney who?
Loxodonta on June 26, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Eh, I prefer the,…
FREEEEEEEEDOM!!
from Braveheart
christene on June 26, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Metallica died years ago…RIP Cliff Burton!
kagai on June 26, 2009 at 3:59 PM
They died when they got their haircuts. Nothing else matters.
portlandon on June 26, 2009 at 4:01 PM
the protesters need to be republican and get caught cheating on their wives, that will get attention.
rob verdi on June 26, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Or be a democrat and get caught cheating their country…
texan_forever on June 26, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Wow is all i can say to this article
its pretty bad out there when the protesters have to
Compete with a DEAD singer..
Man that is so sad..
I wonder if we had the current media during the Revolutionary war..
Would we have
WON???
veteranoutrage on June 26, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Well, since MJ is the beginning of a celebrity trifecta…I’m thinking number 2?
HornetSting on June 26, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Cliff Burton. Tru dat!
HornetSting on June 26, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Absol-freakin-loutly
RobCon on June 26, 2009 at 4:10 PM
I am really, really done with the Michael Jackson coverage. I am getting irrational over it. Thankfully Rush didn’t speak much on it but now Michael Medved has spent an hour an 15 minutes talking about Jackson.
I’m done. I want real news. I want Iran coverage. I want House vote coverage.
I need real news before my head explodes.
And that video Iran/Jackon tie in is horrible.
myrenovations on June 26, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Why aren’t there more Middle Easterners in Major League Baseball?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 26, 2009 at 4:15 PM
When’s Barry going to get around to apologizing to the Brits for Valley Forge?
NoDonkey on June 26, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Heh , how about Twisted Sister to go full on 80thies.
“Oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
we’ve Got The Right To Choose And
there Ain’t No Way We’ll Lose It
this Is Our Life, This Is Our Song
we’ll Fight The Powers That Be Just
don’t Pick Our Destiny ’cause
you Don’t Know Us, You Don’t Belong”
Could brake the hardest of the mullahs.
the_nile on June 26, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Only if one presumes the mullahs and Ahmagoingtohell have Its that they might beat. But even then, there’s a chance that if they do have Its, they’d have them buried inside chickens (Reading Lolita in Tehran, page 71) and wondering which neighbor they might give those recently glazed chickens to for good eats.
Drum on June 26, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Beat it? No, beat him! Preferably with a 3 x 4.
Blake on June 26, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Media people are such whores and parasites. They are like vultures on road kill.
Terrye on June 26, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Sociology Class Study: June 26, 2009 News Coverage – Another sign that America has died.
mankai on June 26, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I prefer this one, it’s much more powerful and the song Invincible (by Pat Benatar) makes it even more powerful than Beat It…IMHO.
Liberty or Death on June 26, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Pamela Geller over at Atlas Shrugs has an absolutely incredible photo on today’s Iran Update page, that if it’s a real pic…… well, if it’s real, say a prayer for an incredibly brave woman because there is no way she survived more than a few seconds.
As of this minute, the photo is the first one down when you start scrolling……..
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/06/iran-revolution-day-14-makeshift-hospitals-news-blackout.html
Kenny Solomon
Locked and loaded in south Flori-duh.
“Bing, Bing, Biiiiiing… Oy Vey”………… Ricochet Rabbi
E T Cartman on June 26, 2009 at 5:05 PM
O.K., so Glenn Beck is officially the only FOX personality I will be tuning into for a while; At least he’s leading with ACTUAL news.
WTF is FOX thinking?? Do they not understand their audience? This is Anna Nicole Smith all over again, and it’s disgusting. Regardless of whether you think MJ was a freko pedophile or the king of pop, it’s all too much.
I’m usually O.K. with the Barbie and Ken show, (Megyn and Bill) in the morning, but I swear she had a creepy, “Let me dig up every juicy detail I can get” look on her face all morning and I finally had to turn it off. I despise that we allow pop culture to trump real life on T.V..
anniekc on June 26, 2009 at 5:10 PM
This song it about violence is not the answer, run away from the fight, don’t stand up for yourself. Well no, it’s anti-gang violence in a liberal way of doing it. So yeah, not the best song.
- The Cat
They should use this.
MirCat on June 26, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Sorry, didn’t see that
MirCat on June 26, 2009 at 5:42 PM
I agree, but the one I linked to above is IMHO the best, it’s much more powerful and the song Invincible (by Pat Benatar) makes it even more powerful than Beat It for many reasons including the one you state above.
Here’s the link to the video again watch it, it’s worth it!
Liberty or Death on June 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM
I’m waiting to hear Perez Hilton’s thoughts on Iran before I take any sides. /
cjtony97 on June 26, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Me too.
Blacksmith8 on June 26, 2009 at 6:15 PM
No, but it is appropriate for a Farrah tribute video….
Tim Burton on June 26, 2009 at 6:15 PM
If I were a “troofer” I’d believe that Michael Jackson’s doctor was paid to give Jacko an extra boost of Demerol just to make sure Iran disappeared from the news, the front pages and from Twitter…which, incidentally, it has.
Question is, then, who paid to have Jacko whacked?
Is there a Rahm solution behind all of this?
Just ruminating here…don’t have a cow, Man. :-)
coldwarrior on June 26, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Well, I just needed to chill and decided to put something more uplifting on TV, “The Bridge of the River Kwai”./sarc
luvstotango on June 26, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I’d call you a racist, but I’m a little too confused. ;)
cjtony97 on June 26, 2009 at 6:34 PM
If you have to explain coldwarior’s post, then it really doesn’t matter, and you don’t get it. It’s OK, kinda like explaining a joke.
luvstotango on June 26, 2009 at 6:53 PM
Mine was a joke as well. Ah, the constrictions of written communication.
cjtony97 on June 26, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Did Congress observe a minute of silence for the hundreds in Iran who were murdered in cold blood for seeking freedom? No, of course not. They don’t care about no stinking freedom.
Over 800 newspapers were published today with Jackson’s death featured on the front page. How many of those newspapers reported the horrors being inflicted in Iran with the same prominence?
Perhaps if we had elected a man instead of a sock-puppet, we would be more attuned to the evils of regimes in Iran and other muslim-dominated countries, and the violence sanctioned by those who use religion to suppress and subjugate.
A coworker, a liberal kool-aid drinker, wore a bright green shirt to the office on the day that Ocommie announced that there was little difference between the Iranian candidates and that we should not be seen as meddling. I asked her if she was wearing green to show solidarity with the Iranians in the streets asking for their voices to be heard. She looked at me and said, “Absolutely NOT!”
I can barely stand to live in a world where priorities are so upside down and personalities are more important than persons. I weep for my children and the mess they will inherit, if we last that long.
maryo on June 26, 2009 at 7:43 PM
The greatness is Eddie Van Halen.
John the Libertarian on June 26, 2009 at 8:12 PM
+ 1 !! Yep, he’s dead alright, someone should tell the MSM that all their coverage is not going to bring him back or stop the world from turning. Incredibly important stuff is continuing to happen. Our society is so sheltered that the death of a pop star continues to be shown and speculated about.
4shoes on June 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Well done but I’m terrified for what those protesters are facing now.
Urban Infidel on June 26, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Maybe that twisted sister song should be the theme song for the next tea party on July 4th.
I find that video amazing particularly the shot of the size of the crowd. It filled the streets for what looked like a couple of miles! Hey folks! If you’re seriously peed-off about the way our country is moving, we need a similar showing on Independence Day at a Tea Party near you!
Driefromseattle on June 26, 2009 at 8:42 PM
*cough*SarahPalinDavidLetterman*cough*.
Reaps on June 26, 2009 at 8:53 PM
You still on the air somewhere? I remember when you came into the old AOL chat rooms.(From The Right) You used to crack up at my brother and me and offered us a job on the air. Remember I was BILLISSCUM, and my brother was TED DRUNK
Jeff from WI on June 26, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Our nation is fixated on American idols, living or dead.
A moment of silence in the House of Reps?
We’re grieving over such nonsense.
Pazman on June 26, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Regardless I love the pic. Green on fingers making peace sign. I feel for the youth of Iran.
Sultry Beauty on June 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I like the quote JP posted from McCain. Where was that McCain on the campaign trail?
On Atlas I saw an open letter from someone in Iran asking Israel to help with broadcasting news into the country. I don’t quite know what to think of that. On the one hand I like the idea of Iranians asking for help from Jews, but on the other hand I wouldn’t be surprised if the new Iranian government would turn around and bite Israel if the revolution succeeds.
deewhybee on June 26, 2009 at 11:16 PM
The media jackals live in a bubble insulted from the very reality which they claim to represent. Let’s not clue them in.
Let them devour each other like the ego maniacal cannibals that they are.
Turn off the tube and work to defeat the State Run Media.
Live Free or Die.
Geochelone on June 26, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Maybe we could force the MSM back to the topic if we ALL refuse to let up on the subject of Iran. The blogosphere, after all, is not influence-less.
fireweednectar on June 28, 2009 at 4:49 AM
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