Video: BBC: The Politics of Fear

I'm currently taking a course called 'Demystifying the Middle East', and my professor is a PhD from Palestine. I asked him to refer me to movies that would expand my understanding of the situations that led to the current geopolitical climate.

He immediately responded by referring me to this documentary from the BBC.

To say it was a watershed moment is about right. It offered a historical context to the bits about the Middle East I had accumulated here and there, and showed the role the US has played in it all.

I tell ya, if every American saw this we'd be out of Afghanistan & Iraq in a month.

Artsy- The Grouch

Love this song.

Letter to CNN

Here's a letter I wrote to CNN sometime a while back after getting disgusted with their bullshit reports.

Hello,

I decided to write this today after trying to swallow a few minutes of CNN's televised newscast. There is such a dearth of news coverage in this country that's actually conducive or (god forbid) complementary to an informed citizenry.

There's the old adage that 'It's not what the news reports; it's what they don't report'. And I find it truer now than ever. I wish that CNN would throw out its trivialities, and entertainment-riddled 'news' reports, and tell it like it is. In order to keep honest people honest, there must be a vociferous press, willing to dig into dirty laundry.

MOST importantly, the distinction must be made between entertainment, and news. News is not something to be predisposed by inflammatory speech, sensational rhetoric, or half-truths. (Left, or Right) Instead of looping your anesthetized garble for hours on end every day, go deep into a subject and tell the citizens what they need to know, and what they can do to make it better. YOU as citizens, with the position of influencing an entire nation, have the burden of promoting a participatory democracy. News is not, something to make you feel warm and fuzzy about. It is a tool to inform, in order to improve the world we all live in.

I so heartily wish, that CNN would take the model of PBS, NPR news, or Democracy Now, & report the facts. We need the facts. It is not the job of the reporter to be the judge, jury, & gavel, or to impose personal judgment on the masses. Report the news. Stop leaning toward the sensationalism so sensationalized by Fox news. We don't want it. Let the ones who need a nice feeling watch Oprah. Give us the truth. The ugly truth.

Thank you,
Joshua Shepherd
US Navy 2002 - 2008

Letter to Congressman George Miller - 11AUG2010

Here's a letter I sent to Congressman George Miller regarding the US' recent abstention in a vote at the UN regarding drinking water as a fundamental human right.

Hello Mr. Miller,

I’m writing a short note today as one of your newer constituents. I recently relocated from San Luis Obispo to Concord, and will continue schooling up here this fall.

What I’m writing about is the United States’ recent abstention from the UN vote saying that drinkable water should be a fundamental human right. I find anything short of a hearty ‘hell yes’ vote to be astounding & altogether wrong.

I’m not sure what would prompt such a back-seat approach to such a pressing global matter, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that certain companies may well have a significant financial stake in water.

Perhaps the UN vote is well outside your purview, but I believe it’s a vitally important matter. I’m sure time will tell that the United States is drifting to the wrong side of history. This is yet another marginalization of the thing that makes this planet so incredible- people.

Thanks for your time & thanks for your service to our country.

Sincerely,

Joshua L. Shepherd
US Navy 2002-2008

Here's a tangible example of why "Fox News" isn't news.

Vice Magazine takes us to Liberia. Intense.

Movie: "Orwell Rolls in His Grave"

Here's a great & highly informative documentary on the nature of political and media systems.  Learn what you can and then do your own homework.

Done moving the parents south...

My Mom & Stepdad finally made the last trip of moving from Corning to Concord.  I've been helping them move their things gradually for a month or so now, and am happy to see them in the bay.  It's going to be great having them close nowadays & I'm glad to have been able to help them.

-Bedtime