Panhandlers in the Marketplace of Ideas

In his book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, Al Franken brilliantly decouples inherent worth from commercial success. In Chapter 2, “You Know Who I Don’t Like? Ann Coulter,” he writes:

…like any movement conservative, Coulter is a firm believer in the free market. By definition, anything that succeeds in the “marketplace of ideas,” like her books, must inherently be of value. And, therefore, unlike members of working families, she really does work for a living.
Here’s something to think about, though. A friend of mine works in the hotel industry. About 65 percent of the movies that are ordered in hotels are “adult movies.” Clearly, two blondes going down on each other is a real winner in the marketplace of ideas. My all-time favorite stat: The average length of time those movies are on is…twelve minutes. That is my favorite statistic in life.

My question is, what are all those people doing with the second six minutes?

The Objectivity of the Press

The Chicago Sun Times reported today that Associated Press reporter Mike Robinson expressed his decidedly subjective opinion of accused felon Michael “Mickey” Segal outside a federal courtroom during a break in the trial. Segal is an insurance mogul charged with numerous counts of racketeering, tax conspiracy and mail fraud, to hit just the high notes.

“You’re going to the s–t house,” Robinson spat at Segal. “You’re going to look good in an orange jumpsuit.” Then Robinson questioned how Segal would feel when he “hears the jail door slam shut,” according to two eyewitnesses.

The Sun Times reports that the Associated Press has taken Robinson off the case. Too bad he’s not on the jury.

Blog of Arabia

You should read The Religious Policeman, by Saudi citizen Alhamedi Alanezi, while you can. I’m afraid soon they’ll be rolling out the polythene sheet for him.
Courtesy of Rick in Scottsdale.