While behind bars, I’ve had time to reflect. I’ve been thinking
of the pioneering role played by Silvio Berlusconi, and how he
projected the power of a great media conglomerate onto its fitting
screen, the reflective silver government. He was first to correctly
order the forces of nature: the government must follow the people,
and the people must follow the government, but they both must follow
the controller of information. They jailed me for zipping the
commercials. I was wrong, but now I understand. When I am released,
I will vote however Fox tells me.
— statement to the parole board
Congress is considering legislation that would make it illegal to
skip over advertising in recorded materials, among many other
provisions that strengthen the mass media and weaken the consumer.
copyright 2004, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott
<jay@satirist.org>