By the way, did you hear about the slip up at the G8 today? President Bush thought the microphone was turned off and he said a BAAAAAAAAAAAD word!
On a side note regarding the G8 conference - Bush not only had the issue above but had the rather brillant idea that it was appropriate behavior to start rubbing the shoulders of the Chancellor of Germany. This man simply does not think before he acts. The Chancellor was obviously offended by this move - as well she should have been.
Please. At the very core of the problems in this country sits the news media. They, and they alone, have the power to change things. And they choose not to. They choose not to because that would adversely affect their bottom line - a bottom line that is controlled entirely by big pharmaceuticals, the oil companies, and all other all-powerful corporations in this country, which also, by the way, control our federal government.
Regarding the media - my best friend recently watched a film called "Weapons of Mass Deception" which discusses how the media has failed to cover the Iraq war. It is not supposed to be a political dissertation on the subject, it simply tries to focus on how the media has reported items regarding Iraq. I have not seen the movie as of yet, but it is on my list!! My friend tells me she learned more about the Iraq war in two hours than she has in the YEARS and YEARS of news reporting. It sounds very interesting.
I think it's outrageous how the media reports the news in this country. It is more than apparent to me that I get a more realistic view of the war in Iraq by visiting websites of international news sources, or watching BBC, or heck, even Jon Stewart reports better news than FOX news does! As Stewart jokes "it isn't news unless the White House has issued a press release." We hear practically nothing about casualties in Iraq, practically nothing about how our friendly fire injuries others, and practically nothing on the innocent civilians we are killing. Mass media has worked hard (and unforunately has been successful) at dumbing down the American news viewing population. Many have grown to assume that the AP, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, MSNBC etc. etc. etc. are reporting everything that we need to know. It will take a massive upheaval to change anything - and I just don't see it happening any time soon.
At this point I feel confidant saying that our country as it stands right now is a massive disappointment. We are acting in completely inconsistent ways, we have a leader who seriously thinks it is correct to ask "Is our children learning?", we have policies that openly discriminate against others and the list gets worse and worse.
Don't get me wrong, I like living in America. It's a challenge unlike anything else I've faced. The important thing to remember is that it is part of being an American to challenge politics, be grassroots and dive in with the goats to avoid the sheep (not that I have anything against the woolies!) to avoid promoting the status quo. I only hope that there are winds of change blowing, but I tell you what ... if Jeb Bush decides to run for President - I may consider moving to Alberta *lol*
REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!