I can think of no better starting point to understand just how seriously threatened is our democracy than to listen to one of America's most articulate and thoughtful journalists - Bill Moyers. In this video, his address to the 2008 National Conference on Media Reform, Moyers exmines a free press as the basis of democratic states. Most of us are aware of how media has eroded, but we may not be aware of how far that erosion has damaged Americans' access to the information we need to make informed decisions. Here Moyers examines the current state of the press and suggests to jounalists and citizens alike what we can do to bring back free press. It is no less than a call to the Patriot spirit among us. It is a call to speak and write the truth, no matter what the consequences.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
2008 Independence Day
Let's start fresh. Let's face it: America is what it is because of what each one of us does or does not do. I hear a lot of people calling for a leader who will save us from the terrible mess we have gotten ourselves into, or will fix the economic woes and climate vulnerabilities so many of us are feeling right now. But, no leader has ever been better than his or her constituents' participation in the democratic process.
What does it mean to be an American? Listen to what these great Americans have to say:
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. ~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1809 – 1865)
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
~ Thomas Paine, American Patriot (1737 – 1809)
Lincoln and Paine point to the very high ideals of our founding fathers. It's not just protecting freedom for us so we can have a good life, but it is also protecting freedom for anyone who strives toward it. Our forefathers worked for Liberty as an ideal, as a truth to be pursued so that we would never experience, nor participate in, oppression of the human spirit.
We are coming out of a period of eight years of oppressive policies that have damaged our democracy and economy and the good will we once enjoyed in the world community. Now we are seen as fools, and fools to be feared.
We have a chance to truly participate in this next election, working locally in our own neighborhoods and cities to make sure everyone is informed of the issues and will go and exercise their vote - a vote that was won with blood, flesh, and tears on this continent and on others.
Get involved. Turn off the damn TV and find out who is running in your district and vote your conscience. Ask questions, demand accountability! You have no idea what is at stake. Find out.
What does it mean to be an American? Listen to what these great Americans have to say:
Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it. ~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1809 – 1865)
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
~ Thomas Paine, American Patriot (1737 – 1809)
Lincoln and Paine point to the very high ideals of our founding fathers. It's not just protecting freedom for us so we can have a good life, but it is also protecting freedom for anyone who strives toward it. Our forefathers worked for Liberty as an ideal, as a truth to be pursued so that we would never experience, nor participate in, oppression of the human spirit.
We are coming out of a period of eight years of oppressive policies that have damaged our democracy and economy and the good will we once enjoyed in the world community. Now we are seen as fools, and fools to be feared.
We have a chance to truly participate in this next election, working locally in our own neighborhoods and cities to make sure everyone is informed of the issues and will go and exercise their vote - a vote that was won with blood, flesh, and tears on this continent and on others.
Get involved. Turn off the damn TV and find out who is running in your district and vote your conscience. Ask questions, demand accountability! You have no idea what is at stake. Find out.
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