[Peace-discuss] Yes Men strike again
C. G. Estabrook
galliher at uiuc.edu
Wed Nov 12 18:51:50 CST 2008
Fake New York Times Says All Problems Will Be Solved By July 2009
November 12, 2008 10:12 AM
New York City woke up this morning to find that some committed satirists had
delivered unto them a remarkably well-rendered facsimile of the New York Times,
filled with earnest and hopeful headlines from the future -- specifically July
4, 2009 -- in which the Iraq War is over, Bush is indicted for treason, and
columnist Thomas Friedman has confessed: "I have no business holding a pen, at
least with intent to write." [UPDATE: According to Editor & Publisher, these
fake copies of the NYT were distributed nationwide.]
Gawker has followed the trail of intelligence and concluded that the parody is
the work of The Yes Men -- high-concept anti-consumerist pranksters whose work
in the service of humanity is documented in their 2003 self-titled movie. Their
basic stock in trade is to pose as corporate or government spokespersons, gain
access to high-profile events, "make shocking denigrating comments about workers
and consumers, and then point out what appears to be a lack of shock or anger in
the response to their prank." Wikipedia documents many of their successful exploits.
Those of you who were unable to enjoy a print copy of the parody may head to
their exacting and lovingly recreated parody of the Times' website, which
contains the same content <http://www.nytimes-se.com/>. I'm a little saddened by
the fact that even in an ideal future, a much-needed system of
congestion-pricing has not come to Manhattan, but I suppose one must remain
somewhat realistic. Really, the only problem with the parody is that everyone
knows that by July 4, 2009, the paper will probably owned by Rupert Murdoch, who
will fill it with Drudge-baited dreck and advertisements for whores.
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