I really don't enjoy political blogs.
I don't want this to become a political blog.
This purpose of this blog is to get people to "use their brains" a bit more... gather information from wider sources and not to just accept the majority's "truth" about something.
Mostly this happens in science, as scientists TELL us what is fact about history or our current universe, but it seems that over the last several years we're seeing more of this force-fed 'truth' come out in our media... and probably about no topic so blatantly as with what's going on over there in the Middle East (especially Iraq).
The latest example is yesterday's victory! WHAT? Are you saying we should claim victory in Iraq? No, I'm not saying all is now roses over there, and more troubles lie ahead, but indeed it IS a victory that the 3rd free democratic elections took place in Iraq yesterday with barely any incident! After all, THAT is why we currently have troops over there! Yet, the media loves to bury any good news that comes out of Iraq. When there are bombings, it makes front page, but never do you hear about the schools getting set up AND allowing girls to attend, the hospitals, the booming stock exchange, the smiling, happy faces, signs of reconstruction, achievements in women's rights, and so much more.
Here's the link to a story from MSNBC titled "
On election eve, optimism prevails in Iraq", in which Iraqi businessmen say "the war has been worth it", "Baghdad stock exchange, bustling with deals and dreams", "An average of $3 million in shares trades each day, 10 times the amount under Saddam Hussein." It also makes mention of Iraq's first radio station run by women, for women, and that more Iraqis blame their own government for the continuing violence there (because of lack of action) and less blame the US. The story DOES also point out that nearly 100% of them want US troops out (eventually), but can you blame them? If Americans became SO heated over our political differences that we started fighting among ourselves.... even to the point where other countries had to come in to help get a grip on the massive violence here, you BET almost every American would want those other countries out of here too! But, I see our roll more like an elder breaking up a fight between two young brothers. Just because the brother's want to beat each other up, doesn't mean the elder should keep from stopping the violence.
Here's a link to another MSNBC story title "
Top Sunni willing to form coalition government" which talks about another victory, where the Sunni who boycotted the elections earlier this year, are now trying to work WITH the new system. They say "the election process succeeded" with 70% of 27 million people turning out to vote! And all the media has to say is how BAD we're messing things up over there? To ME it looks like our efforts have overthrown a dictator and are now making great progress toward achieving a democratically elected government over there! -- Where they are SO enthusiastic about it that they are blowing away the US in voter turnout. There's also mention of a statement put out by a jihadist group that said they did not believe in democracy, only God.
Here's a story from MSNBC titled "
Taliban kill two in attack on Afghan school" where it talks about Taliban terrorists/guerrillas/insurgents killing kids in a school. It's interesting to point out that the reason they claim for doing this is because before the US overthrew the previous regime in 2001, girls were not allowed to be taught in school... and they (apparently) have decided it's a good thing to kill kids and burn schools in order to try to keep girls out of schools. If that wasn't bad enough, we have people here like Republican senator John McCain trying to pass legislation to go more easy on the detainees. Personally, I can't consciously agree with torture and my morals are right along with him in wanting to make laws which try to force actions against torture, but at the same time, if I had captured one of these people who just killed 5 kids in a school close to where MY kids go, and he might know more information on other upcoming attacks on schools in my area, then I might very well put aside my feelings of "compassion" and let water drip in his eyes until he tells me everything he knows! I am just about at the point of ripping out all my hair when I hear about people wanting to be even nicer to these type of people who have no problems blowing up women and children... and even worse... doing it because they are "fighting" to keep girls out of schools! And we have Americans sticking up for these people?! GRRrrr
I certainly don't agree with everything Bush is doing. If asked "Do you think Bush should start doing a better job?"... I'd have to say YES!
While keeping in mind I do agree with what he's trying to do on at least some positions. Tucker Carlson seems to be quite a bit more anti-Bush. Yet, in his recent story titled "
What if Bush is right about Iraq?", even he mentions the massive oversight in mainstream media and under reporting of the successful election in Iraq. Of course, he gives no credit to Bush for any future success, but does say that (despite the Bush fumbling) if Iraq does come out of this a better, stronger and more free country, then the media will most likely take a huge hit -- seeing as how "we'll [the media] have underplayed a huge story." If they KNOW they are not reporting this kind of good news... then I have to ask WHY? My first thought would have to be because of some motive or agenda.... there's something to gain from not reporting the good news?!
I really don't like how Jim Maceda writes his news. He is obviously one of these reporters who LOOKS for the bad, and even tries to add a negative feel in a story about good news. A recent example is his story "
Signs of reconstruction in Iraq" which sounds like a good headline.. but his opening paragraph is "Almost three years after the invasion, U.S. military officials say they are finally starting to deliver on old promises to rebuild Iraq." ... which certainly seems to try to give the impression that NOTHING was done for the first 3 years after an "invasion"... and only NOW are we just starting to give what we promised. This is just a flat out lie... as evidence can EASILY be found where much progress has been made in many parts of the country before this last month, and with regards to our "help in overthrowing a vicious dictator and helping to establish a democratic Iraq" (as opposed to the negative word "invasion") our promise of such can be seen even right from the first day of such efforts. Aside from all that bull, his story does manage to give some good news stating that because of our "invasion", "the average Iraqi salary has increased 100 times, from $2 to $200 a month. Unemployment has been halved from 60 percent to 30 percent. And more than 33,000 new small businesses have been created." One bakery/business owner says hundreds of people are now spending money, "They couldn't buy my cakes before the war."
With all this progress and great stuff happening you'd think we'd hear more about it in our news media... ESPECIALLY since we have such a huge amount of our federal dollars going to support the efforts in Iraq!! Every day we see the price we pay in American lives, American dollars, etc. WHAT THE HELL AM I GETTING FOR MY MONEY?? FOR MY SON'S LIFE??? If someone forces me to give them my money (TAKEN from me in taxes), and tells me they're going to do something good with it, I damn well want to see what they are doing with my money! And you bet I'm going to be pissed off if I see or feel nothing good has come of it. No WONDER so many people are pissed about "the war in Iraq"... all they see and hear is how much it's costing. This is the day after the successful Iraqi elections... a victory step toward our PURPOSE in being there - to help secure a democratic government.... part of our "earning" for this high cost we are paying!! ... but what makes the front page of the Washington Post and New York Times?? Go take a look! The TOP story on each is about "Bush allowing domestic eavesdropping"... Well, OF COURSE it's anti-Bush! Media fumbles over itself to make Bush look bad TOP priority! But, what else? ... Patriot Act, Chinese Protest, Google, Katrina(!?!), Improper Practices of College Exec.... At this rate we're going to soon have total victory and Americans will still be saying "HEY?! How did that happen? Just yesterday (and for the past 4 years) we've been getting our butts kicked?!"
I'm just sick of it. "The earth is flat".... "The earth is the center of the universe"..... "getting to the moon is impossible".... "nothing can be smaller than an atom"..... "We have no business getting involved in the war in Europe(WWII) ..... "Our mission in Iraq is a failure.. we should not be there"... only years later can we see that we should NOT have just automatically believed what the masses were telling us... Even millions of people can be wrong! And have hidden agendas.
Personally, I don't care what got us over in to Iraq in the first place.. nor do I put much weight on the relatively few bad things that have taken place... If our presence over there now leaves Iraq in a place where the people have freedom... to vote... to choose their religion and to express themselves without fear of death.... for women to have equal rights and able to attend school.... to chose a career and motivation for success... then I feel it will all be WELL worth it. Most people who live in America now are SO happy that the American Revolution was fought almost 250 years ago. That France, Spain and the Netherlands joined to fight against the British and German troops. And now no one really says that the tens of thousands of Americans deaths (alone) were not worth it.... or that anyone wishes to take back those 8 horribly years of so much fighting and death.
Our media..... just something more to think about.... or perhaps give less thought. They are now the masses telling us earth is flat.
