Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Borodin effect
Back in the Soviet days, I often listened to Radio Moscow on the shortwave. Moscow reliably provided a propagandistic parrot-squawk, with a characteristic overmodulated sound. Their programs about Russian arts and events were usually interesting, and it was easy enough to subtract out the propaganda constant.
However: When the Soviet oligarchy was in turmoil because of a death or a palace coup, Radio Moscow ceased all talk and confined itself to dark Russian classical music, often Borodin or Mussorgsky. I called this the Borodin Effect, because it was a readable signal that things had dramatically changed.
This morning the McCainstream Media seemed distracted. Ingraham avoided politics and discussed her sore throat; Beck avoided politics and played weird music. I got that old Borodin feeling, but didn't know what the signal meant.
Well, we know tonight.
This may also explain why the cable shows, on the rare occasions when they condescended to even mention Huckabee, had speculated obliquely that there may be "other reasons" for his staying in the race despite their repeated Official Commands that he must Exit Forthwith. Or rather, "other reasons" beyond their normal assumption that Huck was just a charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming dumbass redneck southern Christian who didn't know up from down.
Now we know the "other reasons."
Polistra has ignored all of that crap; she has simply been praying for a miracle.
Thank you, Lord. ¶ 7:18 PM
However: When the Soviet oligarchy was in turmoil because of a death or a palace coup, Radio Moscow ceased all talk and confined itself to dark Russian classical music, often Borodin or Mussorgsky. I called this the Borodin Effect, because it was a readable signal that things had dramatically changed.
This morning the McCainstream Media seemed distracted. Ingraham avoided politics and discussed her sore throat; Beck avoided politics and played weird music. I got that old Borodin feeling, but didn't know what the signal meant.
Well, we know tonight.
This may also explain why the cable shows, on the rare occasions when they condescended to even mention Huckabee, had speculated obliquely that there may be "other reasons" for his staying in the race despite their repeated Official Commands that he must Exit Forthwith. Or rather, "other reasons" beyond their normal assumption that Huck was just a charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming charming dumbass redneck southern Christian who didn't know up from down.
Now we know the "other reasons."
Polistra has ignored all of that crap; she has simply been praying for a miracle.
Thank you, Lord. ¶ 7:18 PM
