Things To Watch For

We get routinely swept up by new and shiny events and often we forget to follow up, or insist that we get information on past news.

Time was when investigative journalism meant that there was an investigation with reports issued periodically as the investigation progressed.

But we seem to be short on investigation these days and long on opine. Opinions are easy, they have little weight and can be rolled out quickly for parties and other festive gatherings. You can be deluded by an opinion, carried off by the phrasing or alliteration and like chinese food, you get your fill but soon you are hungry again.

Investigation is very filling, but like a multi course meal, it takes time for the whole thing to be rolled out and in between courses, it may cause thought and speculation of the listeners and god knows "we just don't have time for all that."

We have the attention span of gnats and below-board leaders like it that way.

Case in point:

What about the Anthrax? A woman whose husband was killed by anthrax is suing the government, because nothing further has been done. Questions this should provoke are: Why? Who would benefit from a non-investigation? What have they found so far? Lawsuits are being filed by those caught in the inertia of this investigation.

Foreign countries gave money to help us with costs for Katrina. Was that money used? Where did it go? Where is it? Who benefits from not using it? Forgot about this? Well don't hold your breath, but it would seem that the hibernating bear that has been our media might be waking up on this.

Maybe.

And finally, though certainly not a definitive finale, Mark Foley...? Is he still in rehab? Has anyone come forward? Been paid off? Why wasn't he arrested? If he'd been on MSNBC's "Catch-a-Perv" he'd have grass stains on his slacks and cuffs around his wrists immediately upon viewing.

Speaking of hibernating media, ice water was thrown on them this past week by the one and only Bill Moyers. Bill, a Texan (of course) and oddly, a Methodist minister, is one of the most reputable, articulate, thorough investigative journalists we have left. If you've not seen his report on "Buying the War", it is a must watch. Moyers is our Murrow. I feel much better now that he came out of retirement.

Like running a marathon, perhaps we should all train for longer attention and not let these issues elude us. What else have we forgotten in the face of this trumped up war and smoke and mirrors administration?

My guess is that the one thing we've been conned on is the idea that we are at war to defend ourselves yada yada yada.

Is it not possible the war and all its trimmings are the ruse for the powers of the President to be increased- for the balance of power to shift to the executive branch as dominant in our government. Think it through...take time. Wouldn't that make more sense-as nothing else quite does?

Sometimes You Just Need to Listen

BLOG AGAINST THEOCRACY

On this, for some, hallowed day, there is a mounting swell of support to keep the separation of church and state. Blue Gal has started a ruckus I am more than happy to support! Also check out the fine folks over at First Freedom First.

For too long and by far too many people, there has been an actual call for a theocratic state here in the US. I think in other rational times this would be called rebellion. When you have politicians calling for it I believe the actual word is treason.

For too long we have been in a halcyon stupor, too obsessed with staying afloat in a turbulent economy and too scandal weary to care. But this is exactly when it happens. Like a magician's trick we are being distracted by one hand while the other is actually pulling off the ruse.

If this treason takes place we deserve it. If we cannot care enough to defend our rights, we do not need them. What we do not take care of will crumble. What we dismiss will overtake us.

So in honor of this day, I ask for a resurrection of not the Right, but what is right.

Why do we need the separation of church and state?

Well, let's see:
Religion, when state sanctioned, creates a superior class or group of people. Why is this bad? Because it establishes a position of domination over others. Why is this bad? Because not one of us should be in dominion over others as we all are capable of corruption, abuse, and deceit. Dominion implies scarcity and that means that at some point it is inevitable Might will be seen as right.

Then it encourages, nay, institutionalizes hate for those who are different. It makes heretical any thought or consideration of change.

How much more powerful it is to say I choose to act beneficially on my and your behalf than to say some mythological construct I believe in says to-otherwise suffering some to-be-determined penalities.

And in the end who's to say just who is right?