Democracy Right Now!!!

Long ago when I was a wee teenager, in the days of a president whose war mongering policies were criticized by liberals, I would explore a vast information super highway that some have come to call the internet. I was on one left leaning site or another when I chanced to gaze upon a list of links to dozens of other sites. I don't know if it was the symbol of exclamation or the demand attached but Democracy Now! caught my eye. Maybe it just fit so well with my political mindset. Coming of political age in the Bush Era meant defining yourself as opposed to a political system that just could not be real democracy. I saw the farce. I cut my teeth through Bill O'reilly every other night. I saw how through repetition and flair the population was molded to accept, no, to embrace polices that would hurt them and others. I sort of despised them for it, for not thinking for themselves. What else could I think as an ignorant kid in an ignorant small Wisconsin town?

Democracy Now! was what I felt as the sabers rattled to be thrust into another group of people in order for the few to profit from the life blood of their flesh and soil. It spoke the truth confidently. An honest and assertive presentation of facts. Sometimes that is the most important and radical thing to do. All other news was quite pathetic by comparison. Where Democracy Now! meant to illuminate, mainstream news meant to obfuscate. Where Democracy Now! presented an actual debate other shows brought you 'fair and balance'. Where Democracy Now! presented facts and events and interpretation and opinion other shows handed out pure ideology unadulterated by reality. Democracy Now! was and is part of an opposition to the way things are. It's part of the struggle for a better place.

If you don't regularly check this show out I suggest you do. The daily headlines alone make it worthwhile. Not all the feature stories are always good but some of them are quite good and at the least they are usually interesting. This week there has been several features that stood out to me that I will list with links.

New Era of Nuclear-Armed North Korea Forces U.S. to Reconsider War Games at Regime’s Door

NRA’s "School Shield" Call for Armed Guards Seen as Path to Further Criminalize Youth of Color

Digital Disconnect: Robert McChesney on "How Capitalism Is Turning the Internet Against  Democracy"  (haven't watch this yet but seems relevant to to this blog eh?)

The Monsanto Protection Act? A Debate on Controversial New Measure Over Genetically Modified Crops

National Conference For Media Reform 2013 *LIVE NOW*