Brick TeeVee is a preview of the Sunday Talking Head Shows beamed across America by Corporate Media, plus some good progressive radio and who will be on which show. Blog about what you see and hear on the Sunday Gab-fests. And post stories about the outrageous claims made on Sunday. Post anything you find to debunk the CRAP you hear on Sunday Talkie CorporoMedia!

So, with no further ado, I present to you This Week's Brick TeeVee entry!

Anyone who knows me also knows that I spent the last two election cycles lamenting the almost entire co-option of the powerful themes of faith and religion by the Republican side of the ticket. When discussing religion, especially recently, however, Democrats have a strong tendency to sound apologetic, meek, tentative and insincere, tacitly ceding this rich bank of imagery and emotions to the Republicans.

Until now.

Dorma's "Just Freaky" blog propelled me to further research the murky topic of crowd psychology - I set a Googling, and stumbled across this decidedly academic paper that I thought might help shed some light on this mysterious subject of charisma, collective 'effervescence' and how it relates to the current phenomena Obamena. It's a fascinating study in any case.

Snips from the document:

CHARISMA, CROWD PSYCHOLOGY & ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

~ by Dr. Charles Lindholm, Dept of Anthropology Boston University

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I just came back from a discussion on Iran and US Foreign Policy with Scott Ritter and former US Diplomat Edward Peck, hosted by Cleveland Peace Action at Trinity Cathedral in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio. After some brief introductory words, Scott Ritter gave a 20-minute presentation about the looming US military action against Iran.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

By CARRIE ANTLFINGER, Associated Press Writer Sun Dec 23, 1:14 PM ET

MAUSTON, Wis. - Capt. Scott Southworth knew he'd face violence, political strife and blistering heat when he was deployed to one of Baghdad's most dangerous areas. But he didn't expect Ala'a Eddeen.

On Wednesday August 22nd at 9 p.m. on PBS (as always check your local listings) a new documentary will premier. Its about a time that your history classes may have skipped over and with that oversight contributed to the misunderstandings of today.

Over a thousand years ago, the sun-washed land of southern Spain was home to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, living together and flourishing. Their culture and beliefs intertwined, and the knowledge of the ancients was gathered and reborn. Here were the very seeds of the Renaissance.

Welcome readers.

Tonight I heard an extraordinary interview on The Peter B. Collins Show with Martin Garbus, one of the best trial lawyers in the country, called America’s “most prominent First Amendment lawyer” by Newsweek, the National Law Journal and other media. Garbus discussed his new book, The Next 25 Years: The New Supreme Court and What It Means for Americans (at BuzzFlash Premium). Just this week we have seen how this US Supreme Court has already placed ideology over medical science.