Sponsors

My 30 Minutes of Fame Just Passed: Thanks Political Cortex Email Print

I just had my 30 minutes of fame (or at least one of them) and, like most of us, found it more disorienting than expected.

About a month ago I first started talking about the failure of the Bush administration to deal with the actual people who attacked us: al-Qaeda. In every way Bush and the Republicans have dropped the ball and in some ways have been dropping the ball for years, ignoring and even enabling the rise of an international, Muslim fundamentalist movement that could form what I call the new Caliphate. One version of this piece, on Political Cortex was noticed by BBC news and I was asked to be on their "Have your Say" radio program.

Just finished a fascinating, about half hour experience discussing with some Somalis on the ground, a couple of experts and me talking about the fall of Mogadishu to  Islamists. Sadly I feel I came off fairly uninteresting. I think I did get my point across that America had a chance to be a positive influence in Somalia, but we instead left it to the warlords and so allowed another Afghanistan to form. Now it looks like Somalia is forming its version of the Taliban, though the Islamists claim otherwise. Hopefully I also got across my point that the Republicans are largely responsible for this stupid failure on America's part.

But, amid disjointed threads of conversation among some seven people coming from around the world, I think my voice was unremarkable. I think each of us who participated, some pro-Islamists, some anti-Islamists, no one really saying America is doing a good job, all were intelligent and articulate as far as it went. But although the moderator was good, it seemed from my end that no real coheant dialogue was established. Perhaps we all listened to eachother too much and didn't jump in enough. Or maybe our points of view were coming from too distant backgrounds. But I think my 30 minutes of fame went more with a whimper than a bang...though at least I didn't come off like too much of a fool.

But what is great about this is that those of us who take the time to blog are being noticed, even if we don't always follow up well verbally.


KEYWORDS: , , , ,

Sign up for a Complimentary Member Account... Join the community! It's fast. And it'll allow you to take advantage of all this site's great features!

< Do It At Your Own Risk | Revelation and Resignation (Part 3) >
 Display:
That's awesome -- and I'm sure you came across much better than you think:)

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 06/06/2006 09:56:00 PM EST

Political Cortex can be proud that it attracts BBC. Thank you for the chance to have my say.

Read the Progressive Democrat

by mole333 on 06/07/2006 07:06:55 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Is there a link to the conversation or a transcript?

Good Job!

by Embolden on 06/06/2006 09:57:43 PM EST

I am not sure if there is any transcript or link to the actual conversation. And I may be happy for that since my writing and seminar-presentation styles are better than my round-table style. But the blog for the show is here.

I also have been contacted by the New York Times for an interview for a piece on local Brooklyn politics, but that hasn't happened yet. I suspect it won't since I don't think I am high on their list of people to talk to.

Read the Progressive Democrat

by mole333 on 06/07/2006 06:57:22 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Can you tell us more about your experience. I assume the BBC person told you how he found you.

It's nice to hear that such players are tuning into the Cortex!

by Captain Marvel on 06/06/2006 09:59:48 PM EST

I got an email yesterday morning that I almost deleted because it looked like spam. But I opened it and found an invitation to participate:

"World Have Your Say" on the BBC World Service radio is talking about Somalia today I saw your blog post about Bush helping the Islamic Caliphate take hold - and wondered if you would like to take part in our phone-in discussion.

Later I asked where they saw the article since there have been several versions as events have evolved in Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan and my points keep getting re-enforced. It was my Political Cortex version they saw.

Before the show they asked me some great questions that gave me a good chance to make all my best points and really slam the Bush administrations failures. THose never made it to the air...I think they were just getting a feel for my style.

On Air, though, I was mostly listening to other people speak. I could always jump in, but mostly I was interested in what they were saying and it was hard to jump in. THere were three people from Somalia. Two were from the Mogadishu area or near by and they were thrilled at the Islamist take over, hoping for peace. One Somali was from the South and was very worried and unhappy, though phone problems prevented him from getting to say much. Then there were a couple of "experts" and a caller from Darby, England. And me.

They gave me a couple of points to say my piece, but the context at the time wasn't optimal for what I wanted to say, so I had to kind of alter/dilute my message on the fly. Not sure it worked well at all. It did give me some good ideas for later pieces, but at the time I don't think my performance was notable. It was definitely an interesting experience, and I am glad my writing is getting noticed, but I may not be the best round-table speaker.

Interestingly, I almost wish I could have participated in the next two segments: Iran and the Republicans fighting about gay marriage. I probably have more to say on those than I do on Somalia.

Read the Progressive Democrat

by mole333 on 06/07/2006 07:05:18 AM EST

[ Parent ]
based on my last post, if I get a call from anyone it is going to be a blood drinking Druid :)

Better than being on the D-list...oh wait... that IS the D list.... oh well.

seriously, glad to hear you got noticed.

A recent FBI search warrant reveals Republicans refer to themselves as the Corrupt Bastards Club!

by 8ackgr0und N015e on 06/07/2006 01:03:42 AM EST

Most of the attention I get for my writing is in Brooklyn regarding pieces I have on Daily Gotham. And I sure get people calling for my blood regularly!

Read the Progressive Democrat

by mole333 on 06/07/2006 07:07:51 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Now I know people are not failing to contact me because of my anonymous handle...they just aren't interested in my material :)

A recent FBI search warrant reveals Republicans refer to themselves as the Corrupt Bastards Club!

by 8ackgr0und N015e on 06/07/2006 08:08:17 AM EST

[ Parent ]
 Display: