Alterman defends Dylan from Dowd

[janet118]

Excellent article by Eric Alterman on Center for American Progress site, ("Something Is Happening and You Don't Know What It Is, Do You, Ms. Dowd?"), exposes the cynical shallowness that is NYT columnist Maureen Dowd, the Queen of Snark. In a recent column, using her clever little word games, Dowd tries to call Bob Dylan a hypocrite for performing in China without singing "protest" songs. Alterman holds Dowd up to the same scrutiny.

The idea that Dowd, who apparently knows nothing about Dylan, has never demonstrated anything remotely resembling the courage she seems to insist upon for others is an indication of why so many people find it so difficult to take seriously the machinations of the mass media even when its members deal with significant matters in which they might enjoy some expertise. Even the Pulitzer Prize-winning pundit of The New York Times sometimes must stand naked.

MoDo is a Heather. Clever meanness is her forte, not wisdom or depth. And she is not that funny. No one should take her seriously on any political or social issue. She's just being cute.

Here's a little advice from Mr. Dylan for Ms. Dowd: "Don't criticize what you don't understand."