By Shahin Shabanian
Illustration by Anthony Freda
The Big Bird & Corporate Turds
An homage to Independent Journalism
Jan. 2014
To bash the “Big Bird,”
A lot, we have heard.
They fear not the Bird
But the literate eggs it lays on the Earth.
Literacy, cooperation and friendship are his deeds
But, they say, children shouldn’t be exposed to such leads.
Social literacy brings out empathy in the public
But, they say, profits must be made in this Republic.
The public media informs, educates and challenges the thought
Defund them, they say; privatize what can be bought.
“Eyes and Ears of the public*” must act as a boredom relief,
So tranquilize, trivialize and entertain; that is the corporate beef.
Who needs George Seldes and I.F. Stone,
When we have overpaid corporate clowns,
Entertaining the public with rubbish talkathons.
Let the “American Idol” show
Have your anxieties outflow,
When you don’t have a job to go.
Your house is being foreclosed and your bread is missing
But in a “news show” ghosts are kissing.
And at the end, the ghosts will sing “don’t worry, be happy,”
While they’re molding your brain to be idle and crappy.
They manufacture consent for the impending invasions
If “the enemy” did not allow their water and other provisions
To be privatized and plundered by corporations
Thus, we have the green light for our “rescue” mission.
Ex-politicians are “T.V. journalists,” faking “freedom advocacy;”
They tell us about the nation-building and democracy,
But while in the office, they overthrew “rouge” governments,
And that is hypocrisy.
Ex-Generals are analyzing news as paid corporate pundits
They justify torture, “collateral damage” and drone killing benefits
While they’re employed by munitions outfits.
Cheer leading wars and invasions is morbid.
T.V. preachers analyzing politics on a false creed,
While they’re auctioning heaven without a deed
No anointing for humanity and common welfare
Instead, preaching for jingoism and warfare.
At the Fox, Elephants are slapping Donkeys,
They all steal from humans by their lackeys.
And the Fox is in charge of this mad house,
While Elephants and Donkeys are robbing your house.
Many are enjoying this farce circus in our modern jungle
Politicians are being bought, intimidated and forced to bungle.
When the Press is on a “paid vacation”
Hobnobbing with the hired politicians,
The nation pays for this obfuscation
And democracy is betrayed, losing its direction.
Independent media are rebels for the Free Speech to stand
Corporations need a docile public who cannot understand.
Revealing the facts: the light from the independent press,
Like the rays of sunshine, cuts into the darkness of our distress.
To protect the free press, we must fight on
Because when the free press is gone
Falsehood and propaganda flourish on
Plutocracy ascends and Democracy is done.
Be indignant, be angry but don’t be silent
Your “Eyes and Ears” maybe blind and deaf but be defiant
Your voice maybe weak against the corporate torrents
But your collective hum in this world is a GIANT.
*In many cultures, the free press is often referred to as the “Eyes and Ears” of the public.