Lets talk news, guys

*Al Jazeera news team for the English speaking channel

Randolph College and its overbearing communications department did do me some good. My senior year, I did a massive research project on Al Jazeera vs. CNN. Lets just say that Al Jazeera won that battle.

With someone that I love with every inch of my soul in the Middle East right now (yeah, I'm getting personal and mushy, I apologize) I want a reliable encounter of what is really going on over there. Well, the US has no idea. Or they do and blow it WAY out of proportion. Through my research and own experience, I am beginning to learn that US news is more concerned with ratings by making a mountain out of a molehill while foriegn news concentrates on the hard facts.

I mean, you never see a story about Anna Nicole Smith on Al Jazeera. Honestly, who cares that an overweight playboy model who's brain was non-coherant with the real world and married a man 50-60 years her elder croaked? Sounds harsh, but really, the news of her death barely phased me. And it was the top news on the CNN website for almost a month.

Now, lets take the Iran situation. Today, it was announced that Iran is a #1 threat to the US and that "finger is on the trigger" of various missles. They make it sound like its inevitable for an attack from Iran. Well, if you read a more logical version for Al Jazeera, you realize that they are only making these threats if we attack them. Sounds logical. Every country deserves a defense of some kind. I'm not supporting Iran by no means, their president is a freakin' nutcase, but the situation is not as dier as CNN is making it out to be. I felt a little panic after reading their story, but relieved after reading Al Jazeera's. Its like if the US was attacked, of course we would strike back, or we just attack random countries when there is a sign of threat, which makes me think we will do this with Iran, and that does make me nervous.

Second, today, I read a story on Al Jazeera that has not been posted on any US website, or at least at this time that the US has top officials discussing a withdrawal of ground troops by mid-2009. BBC reports this story later in the day. Why hasn't the US done the same thing? Isn't that news we should be hearing right now? Or maybe its just too positive to gain ratings.

Now, I don't believe everything I hear, but I will trust these foriegn sites more than the national sites, due to the common fact that they are closer to the situation, having more coverage and base in the Middle East and they don't concentrate on the mundane.

Lastly, if you take the time to listen to what a man or woman from the military says who has actually been to Iraq, you will realize that their stories sync up better with the foriegn news coverage rather than the US news.

Just stating the facts. I give foriegn news a thumbs up for remaining true to the code of journalism and not producing the smut that CNN, Fox News, and other US networks are these days. They need to clean up their act or citizens of the US are just going to remain ill-informed, and thats a dangerous thing.

What is Patriotism in America?

*Picture taken at 2007 Monacan Pow-wow, my interpretation of Pure America.

CNN did an I-Report of what patriotism was. There were some mixed reviews.

Some people were hardcore America, others were very anti-USA. I understand both sides.

Honestly, 4th of July didn't feel the same for me this time. I wasn't too "patriotic" or proud this year. I do love my country, I'm far from hating my homeland. I loved what our founding fathers created, but I don't like what we have become. Here's my true and honest opinion of my country.

I heard on the news last night during a package about Bush naturalizing some citizens a man say that America is a great place, everyone is trying to get in and not trying to get out. This is very true. America is a place of opportunity. What does irritate me about our citizens do not realize that opportunity is earned. You do have to work for it, not sit there and wait for it to happen. You then see men and women who come into this country and they work so very hard, and they make something of themselves.

Luis Gonzales from Chile is a perfect example. He left his country while Pinochet was dictator, abusing his people and came to America. He worked hard and ended up opening his own, very successful store in this town. He also has become a very influential person in this community, teaching spanish, leading a gemstone group, and holding many social and learning activities in his store. Even more so, he votes. He votes here and he flies back to Chile to vote. He understands the importance of this role and takes it seriously. Luis was not born here, but he is one of the truest Americans I know. It seems that the people who come into this country appreciate it more than the majority of Americans that were born here.

The country itself feels as if it is falling apart. The economy is in shambles, we are still involved with the conflict in the Middle East, 7 years later, and it seems like almost everyone is struggling financially and mentally. One of the I-reporters stated that patriotism was pointless. He stated that his father fought in two wars, dying in one. He himself obeyed all laws and paid taxes, only to be betrayed and lied to by his government. Another called patriotism a propaganda ploy.

Well, I believe you can love your country, but hate what it is doing. Also, every country has its flaws. Nobody is perfect and most governments face some sort of corruption because power taints the human soul and mind, making them hungry for more, even if it means hurting their own people.

I struggle with America's policy of engaging in conflict, whatever that policy may be. If anyone knows what that is, enlighten me. Afghanistan made sense. Bin Laden sent his cronies to attack us, so we go in, hoping to stop him and the Taliban from future terrorist attacks. Iraq on the other hand is still quite hazy. I've heard so many different theories coming from the mouths of our government of why we are there: Weapons of mass destruction in which were never found, then it was all about Hussein and his cruelty to his people (which the people of Chile had just as bad a problem with Pinochet, and I don't remember us getting THAT involved...but I digress,) then it was about democracy, and now I just don't know. I do know that OUR MILITARY has done a good job and thanks to them, Iraq is SLOWLY getting better. Again, let me emphasize that our men and women in uniform is the reason anything is getting done over there. If you want patriotism, look to them, not our government sitting in their air conditioned offices, throwing commands around.

And American citizens do not do their research. I am even guilty of this, making comments and insinuations, only to make an ass of myself because I had nothing to back my arguments up with. I have gotten better. The best example of this was the whole "Petrayus Betray Us" crap. Okay, so he said what Americans didn't want to hear, but the man is doing his job. He has been put in a very rough situation and is doing what is in the best interest of our country and Iraq. Yes, this war sucks, but pulling out people now and not having these surges every now and then will only lead us going back after a few years when the country implodes on itself. Also, why end a mission now, after 4,113 men and women died for a cause that may not be ended because we are against the war? Are we going to let them die in vain? Are we going to tell the families and friends of these people that their loved one died for no reason? Its hard for me to say this, because I am very pro-peace and wanting this war to end, but I know we can't jump out of this now, we are in too deep. And Americans need to realize this and just support our troops as much as they can.

I've just thrown a lot at you and never really clarified the idea of patriotism. The definition of the word is: "devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty."

This varies from country to country. First, being in the military for the most part fits the definition of patriotism. But, patriotism for the ones who don't fight wars outside the country are ones that fight wars inside it. That could be through voting, volunteering, and advocation. I think our people are slightly submissive and need to regain their voices. We do have the freedom speech and peaceful demonstration. But before doing any of that, at least research the situation before opening your mouth. One person with knowledge is stronger than a dozen people acting only out of emotion. And that is patriotism.

Working for opportunity for change in one's life and their own country.