Welcome Back Bill!

“We were better informed when we only had three TV channels.”

That comment was made recently by a friend during a discussion about media reform. No one argued that point.

His comment led to a story from another friend about how he had to correct some misinformation (lies) his mother had been convinced were “true” from watching Fox (faux) “News.” The line she had repeated was something like, “Well, it’s because our president is a Muslim.”

Outrage filled his head, but he loves his mother dearly. So he calmly asked how she knew that. “It was on the news.” “What news Mom?” Her answer revealed all — and more.

Rather than berate her, he educated her. “Mom, did you know that Canada ban Fox News because they have a law that prevents news casts from lying or misleading the public?” She didn’t believe him — at first. But a quick Internet search revealed several reports that backed him up. “Oh my God. They’re lying to your father!”

Yes, Mrs. S. They are lying — to millions of people everyday. And it’s not just the lies, it’s the ignorance it leaves us with. And it's not just Fox. Media moguls refuse to report any news story that makes them look bad or goes against their interests.

If you really want to know what is going on with politics and media in the United States today, I (highly) recommend Moyers & Co. airing on most PBS stations beginning this week.

…when you are in a polarized world, you gotta fight. You gotta be tough. You gotta be like Franklin Roosevelt. "My enemies hate me. And I welcome their hate." You know, you gotta talk about Teddy Roosevelt, about the "malefactors of great wealth." You gotta fight for the people. —Bill Moyers

It’s sad that Bill can’t retire. The void of accurate information about what is happening to our country won’t let him rest. And I for one, am grateful for his fighting spirit! Thank you Bill, and welcome back.

Resilience

I picked these from my front garden December 5. The daisy has been holding on with great hope and a fierce spirit to live.

I hope the friendship that created this beautiful garden can weather the coming winter as well as these did.

Inspiration

"When a people are mired in oppression, they realize deliverance only when they have accumulated the power to enforce change." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

American's have the power, but not the will.  A mix of stories in the news this week made me wonder why.

Is it because almost half the country is mired in the worry of being on the edge of loosing everything? Or are we just not pissed off enough like they are in Wisconsin? There are those marching in the streets, and speaking out when they've been brutalized, but our media...and the public in general remain silent. How many more stories do we have to see about corporations ruling our country before we collectively stand up and say "NO MORE!?"

We have the power. We just need the will to use it.

Grateful

...that someone is paying attention. My first reaction to this story was "DUH!"

Published on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 by Democracy Now!

Survey: Fox News Viewers Less Informed Than Those Who Don’t Watch Any News

photo: Panu TangchalermkulA new survey from Fairleigh Dickinson University has found that viewers of Fox News are less informed about world events than people who do not watch any news. The study found viewers of Fox are 18 points less likely to know that Egyptians overthrew their government six points less likely to know that Syrians have not yet overthrown their government compared to those who watch no news. Fairleigh Dickinson political science Professor Dan Cassino said, "The results show us that there is something about watching Fox News that leads people to do worse on these questions than those who don’t watch any news at all."

Abort the Supreme Court

I own a t-shirt with that statement in big red letters. It’s a “souvenir” from decades past. I think it’s time to start wearing it again.

It’s not just our legislative branch of government that’s been taken over by corporations; our judicial branch has also been bought. Judges are not immune to corruption, as many stories throughout history have shown. But, somehow I had hoped the Supreme Court was different.

Justices Thomas and Scalia participated in a Koch Industries event in October 2010, and more recently were seen at a dinner sponsored by corporations fighting the healthcare bill just as the court agreed to review the case.

Common Cause has been following this issue for some time. They have a lot of unbiased information about these and other "conflicts of interest" on their website. Educate yourself...then pass it on!

If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention. To take action and ask Justice Thomas to rescue himself, visit credoaction.com. Justice Scalia should do the same. Perhaps we should ALL be writing letters in protest to the Department of Justice and the Clerk of the Supreme Court!

My New Hero

Hope came across the airwaves this evening in the form of an interview with Sr. Minority Whip Jim McGovern (D-MA). Representative McGovern has introduced the People’s Right’s Amendment — HJ RES 88.

Admittedly, amending the Constitution is a long shot, but it is a resolution that I believe, 99% of the population of the United States will understand and support. And because of that, it just might have a chance!

American’s are fed up with the corporatocracy: the corporate takeover of our government (and media). Corporatocracy is just a new word for fascism…or at the very least, oligarchy.

You can read the amendment here and watch Rep. McGovern summarize his amendment below. Please sign the petition…and spread the word…we the PEOPLE are taking back our democracy!

Wow. July 2010 — I was so wise...where did that person go? Apparently lost in translation somewhere between Kalamazoo and Riyadh.

Now the Hermit is restless and ready to emerge from slumber. The injustice taking place across the planet shook me awake. But, the injustice in our own (so-called) democracy is what jolted me out of my bed. I can't stop thinking about how we are repeating the ugliest parts of our history. And not just on Wall St. It's everywhere. Not sure how to start, but I know where: