Any clear thinking media gazer can tell you Newsweek magazine has tilted to the left in recent months. Not that it ever was a fair and balanced media organ to start with, mind you. But Newsweek managing editor Jon Meacham told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly this week that his magazine doesn’t have a liberal agenda. Really? Then how do you explain the latest issue featuring a “Star Wars”/”Star Trek” casting sidebar ripped from today’s political headlines?
The magazine, in a fit of adolescent whimsy, casts real-life political figures who might stand in for Captain Kirk, Darth Vader and other characters from the space franchises’ galaxies.
You can guess what followed:
- The Emperor – Dick Cheney: “Manipulative, mysterious and superannuated.”
- Darth Vader – George W. Bush: “Callow newbie tempted to the Dark Side.”
- Boba Fett – Karl Rove: “Pitiless scalp collector.”
- Klingon Commander – Rush Limbaugh: “Villainous aggressor on the verge of war.
Of course, the mag didn’t leave Democratic figures out:
- Captain Kirk – Rahm Emanuel: “Seriousness of purpose meets unbridled id.
- Mr. Spock – Obama: “Cool, collected … those ears.”
- Christine Chapel – Timothy Geitner: “Dubious but dependable helping hand.”
Yup. Fair and balanced, if you’re a Daily KOS or Huffington Post devotee.