>>So why haven't Sabra and Shatila, or the routine bulldozing of
>>houses, had a similar effect on Israel's image? Is it because the
>>attentions of the image-shapers are, um, asymmetric, to use an
>>economist's word?
>>
>>Doug
>
>Fewer videocameras.
And why are there videocameras in one place (sites of Palestinian "terrorism") and not in another (sites of Israeli state terrorism)? Because the editors and producers who decide where to deploy the cameras are interested in one story and not the other. Ever talk to a mainstream hack about what constitutes or doesn't constitute a "story"? You quickly encounter a nearly impenetrable (to the hack, not to the informed interlocutor) armor plating of ideology that boils down to - a "story" is that which confirms the status quo, or offers the temptation of spurious novelty that leaves the status quo untouched (e.g. Monica). Massive election fraud in Russia? Not a story. Massive election fraud in Serbia. Big story. Palestinians blowing up civilians? Story. Israelis blowing up civilians? Not a story.
Doug