May 21, 2011

Apropos of all the Rapture Hubbub: In 2006, I interviewed FOX News chief Roger Ailes for Watching the World Change about what he might consider apocalyptic signs foreshadowed in the 9/11 attacks.

Here is a passage from pages 91-92 of the book:

"The implications from a television standpoint," says Roger Ailes, chairman of FOX News and FOX Television Stations, "are simply that: When the end of the world comes, we'll be able to cover it live until the last camera goes out. I believe I mean it literally. If you you can witness something like [9/1] by two billion people, live, then there's nothing that can't be covered. And if we get into a world war, with nuclear weapons, I assume we'll be covering it live."

Ailes, recognizing TV's corporeal-world role, as it were, at the right hand of omniscience, speaks with a preacher's assurance and without an iota of irony when pondering the ultimate news story--a real-time Apocalypse Now: "It's horrifying to think about. But maybe God set it up that way. You can either figure out how to live in freedom...and hope, or you can watch yourselves burn to death. Nine-eleven is a warning shot that says: Look, this can go either way. It's your choice, folks."