Monthly Archives: June 2010
The Crisis of Confidence and the News Media
The Crisis of Confidence and the News Media
By Michael Kleen
Previously, I have written about the crisis of confidence in government (“The Crisis of Confidence,” “Potholes and the Crisis of Confidence”). Simply put, this means that constituents can no longer trust their elected officials. But this crisis extends to and envelops the news media as well, creating a toxic environment of distrust in which a republican form of government cannot properly function. By sowing the seeds of distrust in government while exposing its own biases, the media serves to fuel the fires of this crisis. Metaphorically speaking, government and news media are locked in a death spiral, racing to the bottom of public opinion while engaged in a political battle increasingly estranged from the general public.
That there has been a dramatic decline in public trust for the news media cannot be denied. In 2003, according to a Gallup poll, only 36 percent of those surveyed believed news organizations “get the facts straight.” That percentage fell to 29 percent in 2009 (Pew Research Center), while in the same year, only 19 percent felt that the press “dealt fairly with all sides.” In March 2010, the Pew Research Center found that 57 percent of those surveyed had a negative view of the national news media, a percentage only surpassed by the number of people who had a negative view of the Federal government and banks (65 and 69 percent)…
New Interview in the Streator Times
Local Haunts — Author explores ghostly tales across Illinois
By Melissa Garzanelli
Michael Kleen, author of "Paranormal Illinois" and "Haunting the Prairie," speaks to guests during a book signing Friday night at Finnegan's Bookstore in Utica.
Michael Kleen gets a kick out of ghost stories and he’s willing to travel to see if there’s any truth to these legends. Kleen, of Rockford, has visited spots across Illinois, including some nearby like Cumberland Cemetery near Wenona and Moon Point Cemetery in Livingston County, where stories persist of the “Hatchet Lady.” He posts his discoveries online through a serial newsletter at www.trueillinoishaunts.com. Now he’s taking some of those stories and putting them in print.
Kleen recently released “Paranormal Illinois,” which joins his first book “Haunting the Prairie.” He talked to The Times via e-mail about his books, ghost hunting and why people love their local haunts.
Q. You operate an online newsletter sharing tales of the paranormal. What made you decide to publish your books as well?
A. Books have always been my first love. I started out writing fiction, and the digital newsletter (Legends and Lore of Illinois) was a way to explore my other interests by examining the history and folklore of haunted places in Illinois…
“Sonic Fear” in Summer 2010 issue of KILTER
Check out the new issue of KILTER – I have a pretty decent short story published in it called “Sonic Fear” about a guy who loses his mind because he lives too close to the railroad tracks…
From their website: “Number 8 is busting at the seams with great content. Art coverage, movie reviews, An Interview with Voltaire by the Reverend Chicagodom, a review of the Chemlab/16 Volt show, a piece about Latebar, the fashion of Dollface, art by Sinee Misgari, Zmiya, Judgehydrogen, an expanded comics section, Poetry, fiction by Michael Kleen, Cleo LaVamp on the Continuum (including a pictorial tour) SS-Triple-X, and our regular features, Ask Happy, the Horriblescopes and another vegan recipe by Scary Lady Sarah. :gasp: (and so much more)”
Order now ($5 + Shipping) It’s also available in select Chicago stores.
The Problem of Rule by Minority Party
My latest column has been posted at Militant libertarian.org. It a philosophical piece on how we can mitigate some problems associated with voting, and why the problem of “majority” rule is theoretical rather than actual. In reality, we have a tyranny of the minority, because politically active minorities (compared to the rest of the electorate) are the ones who really win elections. “Minority” meaning numerically less than half of the population.
The Problem of Rule by Minority Party
June 13th, 2010 by makleen
by Michael Kleen
After each presidential election, partisans and pundits alike are quick to declare an electoral mandate for the winning candidate. In 2004, incumbent President George W. Bush himself told reporters, “I earned capital in this campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it… When you win, there is… a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view.” Echoing those sentiments, Vaughn Ververs at CBS News called Barack Obama’s 2008 victory “a sweeping mandate for Obama’s campaign mantra of change.”
1-Day Left Before Champaign Booksigning
People are excited about this one, I can feel it. Gillian Gabriel was kindly enough to interview me for the Champaign-Urbana art & culture blog Smile Politely. I hope this will draw a larger crowd on Saturday, but we will have a great time no matter what. I can’t wait to meet all my past and future friends in Champaign. I’ve missed the place ever since I left EIU…
A Paranormal Saturday awaits
Gillian Gabriel
Michael Kleen has a great fondness for the Midwest, a Master’s degree in History, and an insatiable thirst for ghost stories. Lucky for us, he has been able to skillfully combine all of his passions in his new book, Paranormal Illinois.
Painstakingly and lovingly compiled, Kleen’s books will be sure to become indispensable primers for both Midwestern ghost hunters and local folklore buffs alike. Michael will be appearing at Barnes and Noble this Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. to discuss and sign copies of Paranormal Illinois. He was kind enough to answer some of our questions:
Smile Politely: Your book, Paranormal Illinois, came out recently, but it looks like you have written several others on the topic. Where does your interest in the paranormal come from? Did you have an experience that motivated you to learn more?
Michael Kleen: You know, people ask me this question all the time, and I’m never quite sure of the answer. I’ve often thought about why I’m interested in this subject, but the fact is, I always have been. When I learned to read, some of the first books I sought out on my own were about ghosts. I must have read every single collection of ghost stories that was at the library when I was in elementary school. World’s Most Spine-Tingling “True” Ghost Stories, World’s Weirdest “True” Ghost Stories, and of course, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, were all favorites. What I like most about Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is that the author took common folktales and rewrote them in a way that kids of my generation would love. That’s what I try to do with my books: I want to tell the stories, but I also want to show that they are tied to history and culture. They are windows into a side of history that is usually ignored or covered-up. Ghosts are, after all, remnants of past generations that linger long after they are physically gone. Perhaps they have something to tell us.
