I think everyone’s noticed the dramatic decline in news items focusing on the war in Iraq. I’d place my finger around the time Gen. Patreaus gave his testimony on the surge back in September. There was an orgy of information flying at us right before and after he took the stand.

But then we heard nothing. Or at least close to nothing.

Some would say it’s because the surge started to work. And it has. To a point. Either the surge has worked or “the enemy” has found it’s interest in another land. No matter what the reason is behind the drop in violence, Americans are still dying in the desert.

Back on the home front, it’s business as usual.

I challenge you to take a gander at the percentage of cable news spots focusing on the war in Iraq this year.

One Percent.

Last year 24% of news items covered by cable networks were about the Iraq war. Twenty-Four to One percent? Holy mother of denial.

It isn’t just your imagination. There really has been a massive drop in news coverage about the war in Iraq. I can’t really blame the media. The media is trying to give the public stories that they’re interested in hearing. Without an audience, news doesn’t have much of a purpose.

ABC News President Davis Westin agrees that new of the Iraq war shouldn’t wither away.

“It’s our job to find ways of presenting that story in the most memorable and compelling ways to our audience because they need to know what’s going on there.”

You see what he said there? It’s important to find the most “memorable and compelling ways” to present news to the public. Everyone’s in the business of entertainment.

Apparently, the war in Iraq isn’t entertaining to the public anymore. Perhaps it’s akin to watching reruns of M*A*S*H but with less of Hotlips and more of Frank Burns.

Source: Excellence in Journalism’s survey of news coverage.

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Wednesday morning, Feb 13th, where were you when the Writer’s Strike ended??? Whoo Hoo!!!

It’s been months of increases in shitty reality TV, and shows being improv’ed and scrapped together by non-writers and hosts to mixed results… but it’s over now, and back to business as usual in Hollywood.

Speaking of business… isn’t fraud a horrible thing? I know it takes chunks out of my pocket and puts it into the silver lined pockets of the most corrupt CEO businessmen bastards at the top of the heap, but hey! Prez Bush says he’s going to be taking care of that, and getting rid of all of this fraudulent behavior. Umm… wait… what? You mean anyone business contracted to work in Iraq and Afghanistan won’t be falling under this blanket of reforms? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over?!?

In world AND entertainment news- (so I’ll allow it) Spielberg has run away screaming from all the flack he was receiving for working with Bejing on the upcoming Olympic games, while China was accused of assisting in providing cover for the continued attrocities taking place in Darfur. Rebel groups in Darfur are thrilled, The Chinese gov’t is saying nothing, but over all Chinese sentiment seems to be pissed that their country is somehow being held responsible for things happening in other countries.

Obama and McCain ran roughshod over their opponents in the primaries Tuesday. So both men are now ahead, with McCain well ahead of other candidates in his party, and Obama just pulling ahead of Hillary by 8 nominating contests.

Oh, and as you read this, someone else is pro’lly looking over your shoulder. Or listening to your phone calls, reading your emails, checking your mail, finding out what books you’ve been reading, and don’t look now- but you’re probably on camera as we speak. But don’t panic… it’s all for your safety. “The Senate yesterday approved a sweeping measure that would expand the government’s clandestine surveillance powers, delivering a key victory to the White House by approving immunity from lawsuits for telecommunications companies that cooperated with intelligence agencies in domestic spying after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.”

I feel safer already.

Popularity: 4% [?]