07/08/2005: "What a wonderful world"

So, I decided to quit watching so much news and instead listen to music while I cook, or like last night…I went to see Romero’s “Land of the Dead” (full of wonderful social commentary by the way, think of the "sky flowers" as a euphemism for TV!)…but by going even a day without the news so much can happen.

A friend emailed me the comments of a couple Fox News reporters this morning …I poked around on the web and found this list called the Right wing’s response to the London attacks (and no, I don't see all conservatives or Republicans in the States as "right wingers").

What has happened and some of the reactions to it do make me feel sick to my stomach but I will not let myself give into anger, fear, and hatred. It is not productive. I *do* on the other hand, want to get more active in the movement to make poverty history. It is something positive where one person's voice and limited resources *can* make a difference. Who's with me?

Replies: 5 Comments

on Friday, July 8th, Markus Barca said

one of Mr. Kaine's bloggers did was cherry-pick a bunch of comments he didn't like and then label them as representative of what "right-wingers" believe or implicitly believe. That is a cheap, dishonest rhetorical ploy. It's no different than when the right took the dirty, tasteless comments made by Daily Kos as representative of the left.

Right, left, or in between, people say nasty things.

On the poverty deal, I believe it's a noble effort though a pointless one. We can pour billions more into Africa and wipe clean their debt, but they will still be poor, or even poorer, in the long run. Our current policies and those advocated by the Make Poverty History group aren't conducive for growth. Why make meaningful changes to government when well meaning western countries are more than willing to finance the status quo?

In a rather emotional manner, I made a similar point on my blog on this issue after the Live 8 bruhaha. James Shikwati, a Kenyan economist, goes into much more detail about Africa's problems in this interview from Der Spiegel.

Hey! If I'd seen Land of the Dead, I would probably have hated it. We would then have a perfect trifecta of disagreement. Heh.

on Friday, July 8th, Markus Barca said

Way off topic, but have you checked out PostSecret? Truly a fascinating and emotional experience.

on Friday, July 8th, Elise said

I know there were comments in that list that were just angy bloggers and expected to get a little flack for that, but Brit Hume and Brian Kilmeade are two well known "journalists" with a major network news channel (Fox). (By the way, pretty much every member of my immediate family thinks that Fox News is the only "unbaised" news source on TV)...

As for trying to deal with the African poverty/aids issue being pointless, well, I'm rather speachless on that one Marcus. I mean, if you can save or improve even one person's life how can that be pointless. I'm sure there are ways of making governmental changes that would have larger macroeconomic impacts but when little is being done, raising awareness and forcing global leaders to acknowledge a global tragedy is at least a start.

I'm not sure why you think you would have hated "Land of the Dead" as it wasn't preachy or anything...I'm sure the more subtle message went right over the heads of 90% of the audience.

But disagreement isn't a bad thing, having to defend your positions to someone who does not share them is the best way to really analyze what you believe and why. And, keeping an open mind is always a good thing.

on Friday, July 8th, Markus Barca said

"As for trying to deal with the African poverty/aids issue being pointless, well, I'm rather speachless on that one Marcus. I mean, if you can save or improve even one person's life how can that be pointless. I'm sure there are ways of making governmental changes that would have larger macroeconomic impacts but when little is being done, raising awareness and forcing global leaders to acknowledge a global tragedy is at least a start."

I had a more detailed response written earlier but my wireless card caused my comp to crash, twice. You would think I would learn my lesson the first time. Nope.

Anyway, my views on aid to Africa are mightily unpopular, and they often elicit the same response you had. If it makes you feel any better, there is no satisfaction in my having these views. I'm jaded is all. Marines, famine relief, UN Peacekeepers, temporary stability, government disintergration, then war -- that is the cycle many African nations face every decade. It wears you down.

Der Spiegel, of all magazines, has a three part series on why aid to Africa has ultimately been a failure that is worth reading.

Heh. I was joking about Land of the Dead. I'll probably just wait for it to come out on DVD instead of seeing it in the theaters.

on Saturday, July 9th, Elise said

I know there is no easy fix for the situation in Africa, it's incredibly complicated and there are lots of different countries approaching things differently...I think that micro-loans are the way to really encourage long-term benefits at a grass-roots level. Anyway, I'll read that Der Spiegel piece when I get the chance.

I'm glad you'll watch Land of the Dead on DVD. Romero comes out with a new zombie film every decade and each seems to address the social ills of the day...it's what sets his work apart.
;)