----- Original Message ----- X-Loop: openpgp.net From: "Edward Britton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 11:39 AM Subject: [Reality_Pump] Time-Warner CEO: corporations taking 'government roles' And people thought I was nuts for warning of the perils associated with the "new world order" of economic totalitarianism back in 1993: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Source: http://www.drudgereport.com/mat28k.htm WASHINGTON -- JULY 27, 2000 22:09 UTC-- AOL chief executive Steve Case and TIME WARNER chief executive Gerald Levin testified Thursday before a complete panel at the Federal Communications Commission. But candid comments made by Levin earlier this year during a media roundtable have some lawmakers in Congress concerned that something is foul with the latest greatest media marriage. Levin recently warned: In the post-Cold War era there is only "American cultural imperialism." "There's no countervailing force, that's a significant problem," declared the man who will become the most powerful media executive in history if an AOL/TIME WARNER merger is approved by federal regulators. Levin sees a future where major media corporations take on responsibilities currently administered by governments. "We're going to need to have these corporations redefined as instruments of public service because they have the resources, they have the reach, they have the skill base, and maybe there's a new generation coming up that wants to achieve meaning in that context and have an impact, and that may be a more efficient way to deal with society's problems than governments," predicted Levin. A summary of Levin's past comments were circulated behind committee doors this week, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, including Levin's belief that an "old-fashioned regulatory system" has to give way to a new "global concern." "It does appear that Mr. Levin has greater designs than simply running an entertainment conglomerate," said one Republican lawmaker, who would like to question Levin on his feelings about "American cultural imperialism." At the TIMEWARNER Global Forum gathering in Shanghai last year, Levin introduced Communist China's President Jiang Zemin, calling him "my good friend." Levin presented him with a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Levin, who refused to meet with human rights representatives during the trip, told vaunted visitors that Jiang can reel off the Gettysburg address from memory. But can Jiang - or Gerry, for that matter - recite Lincoln's reported letter to William F. Elkins, November 21, 1864? "I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country.corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed." Thought not. ================================================== "In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5285/connector1.html Reality Pump: http://www.egroups.com/group/reality_pump ================================================
