Tag: News Media

Opinion

Another mass shooting, but no info on weapon again

I have noticed another failure in the news media. An inability to identify weapons in mass shootings. The details of a young shooter and police officers injured in Farmington NM, but nothing on the type of weapon used at a time of concern about assault rifles. I had this feeling after Uvalde; it was a horrific story of Texas leadership and gun laws. We need our news media to be worthy of our time and inform us of realities that are a threat to our safety; regardless of political implications. I read stories that analyzed the Farmington, New Mexico shooting by suspect, victim, location, and time, but failed to mention type/s of weapons used. The story only said the shooter had multiple weapons. Three dead and many wounded including officers but no weapons details. Maybe an assault rifle was used and maybe it was not, but we deserve to know in this time of mass murder. Be alert to reporting that is afraid of the facts. Assault rifles are designed to kill and maim a lot of people quickly; they are weapons of war and do not belong on our streets. Research and act to preserve decency, dignity, and respect for all of humanity.

Opinion

America 4 sale?

The stories of our times include dark money allowed in our politics by a Supreme Court with many members appearing to be corrupted by the same phenomena. Money magically appears to pay bills for judicial relatives, supply large paychecks for spouses, purchase languishing real estate. America is in the lonely position among democracies of believing that money equals speech, but we take it a step further in not even wanting to know who is speaking, Dark money can come from inside and outside of our country and we will never know if the source wishes us good or ill. Americans increasingly do not trust institutions; mass media, social media, politicians, banks, etc. We are a country unmoored from the truth as corruption, and pursuit of money over civic duty dominate. We spend a lot of time talking about politicians who are symptoms rather than systems assaulting good citizenship. Americans are more ignorant, confused, and angry than ever due to institutional failures from public schools to news networks. Take a stand and act to hold organizations and individuals with power accountable. Use your rights to create a tide of righteousness that brings truth, hope, and justice.

Opinion

Home of the free and the brave?

America has long seen itself as the home of the fee and the brave, but we have been clearly slipping in the last six years or so. The Trump campaign and presidency were built on lies and grievance, but he was in the White House thanks to the electoral college. Free and brave people do not elect or tolerate low character criminals. Even though the majority of American voters have never chosen Trump; his long-term ability to influence our politics are an indictment of us all. Why do I say this? Jesus said that we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. Truth is the basis for freedom in the world; access to, and reliance on the truth are protected ferociously by intelligent free people. Trump attempted to overthrow an election after an apparent crime spree during his administration; yet Republicans continue to support him. In private Republicans reported;y claim that they are fearful for their political and personal survival if they cross Trump. Is large-scale fear and cowardice indicative of a free and brave people? Most of the press and political elite today seems focused on safety and acquisition of personal status or power. The coming elections in 2022 and 2024 will be a referendum on the character and decency of the American people. Act to make sure that good triumphs in America and vote against Republicans who do not stand up to Trump. We live in interesting times./

Opinion

Republican Party collapse

The Republican Party has morphed into a collection of lost and power-hungry con-artists. They no longer want small government; they want dictatorship, or at least oligarchy where the desire of the few matters more than that of the majority. The Republicans have achieved their collapse by the continuous failure of the American people to hold them accountable. The leaders of the party have exhibited the worst criminality and corruption and gotten away with it, and now there are only two places left to go; destroy the US Constitution or lose power and re-create themselves. Will voters follow up and deal with Republicans? Will Greg Abbott be held responsible for needlessly slowing commerce at the border and placing bounties on Texas women? Will Ron DeSantis win his culture war with Disney over LGBTQ rights? At a time when Climate Crisis tells us we are running out of time; are Republicans questioned about their plans to deal with carbon in the atmosphere, or if they believe in man-made climate change? The American media is not a strong institution because they are dominated by oligarchs, but I hope enough American citizens recognize this time of peril for what it is. We are moving toward reckonings that will lift the veil of delusion and reveal our true nature. I hope every American realizes the truth of our time and our role in creating or saving a decent world.

Opinion

Hold Republicans Accountable

One of our two major political parties is crumbling before our eyes and taking the country with it. Republicans lie to the point where they cannot stand for anything consistently. Examples: Republicans used to say keep government small and leave choice to citizens; now they want excessive meddling in women’s reproductive decisions with large prison systems and reduced voting/protest rights. Trump asks Putin for help in attacking President Biden and is not condemned by other Republicans; while those elected Republicans are not held accountable by the press. Republicans like Josh Hawley talked to NBC news reporter Garrett Haake about getting information on Hunter Biden while not being questioned about his January 6 insurrection behavior, or Trump asking a foreign dictator for help against an American president. A republic like the United States cannot last without facts and justice. Republican and media cowardice are an existential threat to America because of their persistent failure to hold the powerful accountable.