Of TV, Bees, and Iran

Recently, I noted two PBS programs that I thought readers might find of interest. Both were indeed well done and each was enjoyable.

The first was last week's Frontline program titled Showdown with Iran, blogged on 23 October. Two things of special note emerged from it. First, like many -- indeed most -- other nations in the world, after the events of 9/11, the people of Iran reached out in sympathy and anger at what had happened. There were candlelight marches through Iranian streets denouncing the attacks. What is more, the high clerics of Iran denounced them as well. We -- and here I say "we" by way of the Bush Administration -- squandered all of the goodwill of the world. Here was a Muslim nation, of long-term enmity, reaching out to us and we slapped them back down hard... and all because of the stupid fixation on Iraq. The second item of note in this Frontline program was how very many right wing hawks, including many former members of the Bush White House, are against attacking Iran in the near future. Some rule such an attack out outright. However, all of the others echoed the same point. Namely, that Iran is nowhere near having the capability of actually producing a nuclear weapon and that violently eradicating that capability should only be used as a last resort, meaning years down the road. They all agreed, furthermore, that it should be a decision for the next president, whomever he or she might be.

The second program was this weeks Nature titled Silence of the Bees, originally blogged on 26 October. This one was great... and bleak. It cannot be overstated how much harm is being done to this insect, nor how much said harm can -- and very likely will -- do to us. Most likely, we've yet again brought this peril on ourselves. Our arrogance and self-involvement seemingly know no bounds.

Silence of the Bees premiered last Sunday, but local PBS offiliates often rerun it several times during the week. Again, it is worth your time. Check the link to pursue local listings in your area.

PS: This is totally off topic for this post, but I'm not sure that I'll get to further posts today. In case you were unaware, the Vice President has taken another hunting vacation. So far, he hasn't shot anyone in the face -- or anywhere else as far as I know -- but he did use the services of a hunting club that is still displaying the Confederate flag. Arrogance and stupidity, all wrapped into such a tidy little troll-like package! Very convenient.

30 October 2007