Andrew Ferguson Response

Andrew Ferguson was a warranted change of pace for our reading. A more straightforward and levelheaded journalist, Ferguson’s work was an easier read while still intensely captivating. His critic of journalism and Time magazine in both his articles about the publication and the Newseum in Washington along with other works caught me off guard following the initial prompt we received as a class. The prompt lead me to expect a staunch republican conservative, although what I discovered was an even keel, level headed journalist whose passion for subjects and depth of knowledge outweigh a need to blend bias writing into his works. An obvious patriot and history buff, the Weekly Standard writer’s approach and commentary on new media, overplayed journalism, and American icons was well received among this reader, as I delve deeper into the journalist.

In Ferguson’s articles on both Twitter and Time, commonalities can be discovered in his approach to the current and ever expanding media of our generation. As the writer explored the traits and twists of Twitter in his article, "Twits on Parade Twittering is the newest of the new media. And the worst," and compared the newest form of media to bloggers Ferguson explains his trial run on the program during the second presidential debate. Andrew Ferguson dismantles the new media forum for its randomness and arbitration only complementing it on its 140-character limit. I most easily compared his assessment to my opinion that Twitter is word vomit for bloggers, and a deconstruction of classical news sources that traditionally hold a stronger report within such events as a presidential debate. Stemming from his article on twitter and new media however, Ferguson chooses to comment on a classic publication in Time magazine.

His exploration of Time’s roulette of facades to alleviate an eminent demise was almost comical. Ferguson pointed out the inherent flaws in media bias to the current presidential election using Time as a simple holder for his arguments. National service—a commonly neoliberal ideal—Ferguson points out have been continually present in elections since 1988. The difference only exists in simple wording and the medias interpretation and spin on the subject. He slams both candidates for pretending the idea is a new initiative, pointing out that Bush did request such initiatives in his campaign (and in such an argument shows his conservative nature). The rub however comes when Ferguson concludes that, “national service mainly serves as a self-aggrandizing tool used during presidential campaigns, in hopes of lulling the public into believing that all their fellow citizens need in order to do good are the right federal programs, the right president, and the right magazine editors”. Maybe it is that tone, underlying humor, and decisive rhetoric that made Ferguson a successful speechwriter.

Luckily, I was treated to more as I began to learn of this “hobby” or mild obsession that revolves around Abraham Lincoln and encompasses many American citizens most notably the apparent adoration that comes from the former presidents home state. Not being an Illinois citizen I had learned of the American icon and his triumphs and promotion of change however not in as much detail, and being a descendent of John Wilkes Booth I have strayed away from the subject for some time. Ferguson however, peaked my interest as he spoke of the national possession. Littered with stories of the people he met while writing “Land of Lincoln: Adventures in Abe’s America” his speech—and more so his commentary on Lincoln—seemed to echo different ideals we have covered up to this point in class. Walter Benjamin came to mind as Ferguson recited stories of varied interpretation of our past President, our American icon. It seems that Ferguson reveals a trend in the modernization of politics, an apparent need to link our political figures to movie stars or celebrity. Perhaps Benjamin was right before his time in assessing that culture needs to be fooled into the political machine. In which case Ferguson knowingly or not in a way is contributing to this dissolution of our population. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed the Ferguson readings and am glad to know, journalist or hobbyist true patriots still exist.



Questions:
In your article “Twits on Parade” you begin by criticizing political blogs for their long entries saying, “This is a blog post, not Middlemarch”. I was wondering in a larger picture, do you find the evolution of new media into forums such as blogging as an appropriate direction for news & politics to take?

What is possibly the most interesting, yet little known fact or story about Abraham Lincoln that you have come across.

As a former speechwriter for President Bush, how do you compare the two current candidates style and depth of speeches? And on material alone, who would have the edge in your opinion?