For instance, yesterday in my home town here, there was a bust of a "prostitution ring" at a "massage parlor".

My first reaction was "must have missed a payment". Next I thought "I wonder if the whorehouse down the street, who is better connected than they, set them up".

It is no freakin mystery as to what goes on in those places. The cops have always known about them and leave them alone until who knows what trips their trigger and they bust one for show.

(there are like 10 other parlors in town that have run for years and years and had no trouble with johnny law)

I don't really care about this issue, but well.. here's a sample of the article:

"The first hint that VIP Sauna might not be a legitimate massage business is the heavily fortified metal door leading into the establishment, said Detective Clark Luntsford of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

Not to mention the multiple locks on the door and outdoor surveillance cameras at the business, a battered A-frame at 5210 N. Highway 763. Luntsford said the real tip-offs, however, are the "house fee" - $40 for a half-hour massage and $60 for an hour massage - and the trash bag full of unused condoms, a grab bag for customers. "Normal massage parlors don’t keep condoms in bulk," he said."

Columbia Tribune (http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Dec/20051212News003.asp)

*sigh*

What a freakin manipulation of appearances, shady deals and total horse-shit. The cops fucking knew, the folks goddamned knew, and they're all putting on a horse and pony show as if they didn't, right through the power of the local news.

I posit that all news is like this.

ALL OF IT is a crock of manipulated, concocted, twisted tripe... all twisted by the agenda of either the media outlet or players in the stories.

YET... it seems to me that we feed on this farce. We (as a society) find vidication in the triumph of law enforcement over these stealthy whores and their pimps who managed to hide under some unobservable rock until the authorities, along with the assistance of some patriotic citizens - made the wrong thing right.

What a freakin joke.

I should note, I'm not necessarily saying that there are nefarious intentions behind this deception. I don't really make that judgment. I'm just saying at all levels of the media, the crap is crappy and be as such to the level of between the least manipulative associated individuals to the most manipulative, and there's no means by having simply read the material to knww which is which.

Most of it is in the name of what someone thinks that people should think about them, manipulating appearances to the common denominator they see.

Discuss, bitches.

Suck dick, bitch. However, I agree with you. News is little more than propaganda nowadays. You know, kind of like it was during Nazi Germany.

What's sad is that I don't see how it could be different, as it's the nature of the beast. Bizness skews towards profiteering, as it must. Thus, what we see is a reflection of what is percieved to be wanted. If news weren't so jazzy, it wouldn't sell so well.

What's sad is that I don't see how it could be different, as it's the nature of the beast.

No, I don't think "...it's the nature of the beast". I think if the news media simply told the truth of what's going on in the world, without any bias or political agenda, it would just as much "news" as it is now (only truthful!).

What we have now is competition between the various news agencies and media, so even if they don't know what the fuck is going on somewhere, they make up something .....and it's usually sensationalist so as to gain readership and/or viewership. That's not news, that's sensation, tabloid bullshit ....and we, the public don't hold them responsible for it.

After all of this time, and after all of the sensationalist accusations and allegations, tonight on NBC news, they had a piece on the inspections of the levees at NO. The Corps of Engineers, in fact, constructed the levees in accordance with the engineered and approved plans and specs.

But the sensational bullshit of a few months ago is all we'll remember ....because it was/is sensationalist! We, here at sciforums, thrive on sensationalism ...and almost every post, every thread is somewhat sensationalist in format. We've been brain-fuckin'-washed into thinking that if it's not sensationalist, then it's not news!!

Baron Max

No, I don't think "...it's the nature of the beast". I think if the news media simply told the truth of what's going on in the world, without any bias or political agenda, it would just as much "news" as it is now (only truthful!).

What we have now is competition between the various news agencies and media, so even if they don't know what the fuck is going on somewhere, they make up something .....and it's usually sensationalist so as to gain readership and/or viewership. That's not news, that's sensation, tabloid bullshit ....and we, the public don't hold them responsible for it.

After all of this time, and after all of the sensationalist accusations and allegations, tonight on NBC news, they had a piece on the inspections of the levees at NO. The Corps of Engineers, in fact, constructed the levees in accordance with the engineered and approved plans and specs.

But the sensational bullshit of a few months ago is all we'll remember ....because it was/is sensationalist! We, here at sciforums, thrive on sensationalism ...and almost every post, every thread is somewhat sensationalist in format. We've been brain-fuckin'-washed into thinking that if it's not sensationalist, then it's not news!!

Baron Max

But the problem with that Mr. Max, is that news is a business, and business lean toward profit. Apparently, unbiased news is less profitable than biased news. It doesn't take much thought to figure out why.

Hence, you're off. It IS the nature of the beast so long as it's business. It would be worse if it were governmental.

*shrug*

There is a distinction between major media and independent journalists who are in some cases (gasp) intellectuals and (shudder) academics. Many are primarily motivated by a sincere desire to penetrate misinformation and uncover truth.

It's easy to say "It's all Crap" about anything: Art, music, journalism, all are venues flooded with cheap popular imitations. But this out-of-hand criticism is sadly ignorant of the best. Seek out the excellent- it's not that hard in this age, and you could discover a world you never knew before.

But this out-of-hand criticism is sadly ignorant of the best. Seek out the excellent- it's not that hard in this age, and you could discover a world you never knew before.

Please explain, in detail, how one can know which news article if "excellent" and which is not? And if there's no quick, simple method to distinguish between the crap and the "excellent", then we're right back where we started .....reading crap!

Baron Max

I tend to judge a news story by the sort of details they put in or leave out. For example, take this guy who recently killed his girlfriend's parents because of an argument about curfew. Although it had no bearing on the case, the news just had to make sure you knew she was home-schooled. It's no secret that the mainstream can't stand the idea of parents deciding that public schools suck, so the undertone is "If you home-school your kids, their lovers will come in and kill you later." If someone is killed in a car wreck and wasn't wearing their seatbelt, they parade it around like lacy underwear. If the deceased was properly buckled in, well, that's not important.

A little critical thinking and asking myself what the presenter of the story hopes to gain by the selection and organization of their words helps get me through the muck. It's like reverse-engineering propaganda.

No, I don't think "...it's the nature of the beast". I think if the news media simply told the truth of what's going on in the world, without any bias or political agenda, it would be just as much "news" as it is now (only truthful!). Baron MaxThat's a mighty big "If" though Baron. "If" only a man could be perfect. "If" only a woman could be perfect. Then the world wouldn't need some delusion that there is a perfect god.

What's sad is that I don't see how it could be different, as it's the nature of the beast. Bizness skews towards profiteering, as it must. Thus, what we see is a reflection of what is percieved to be wanted. If news weren't so jazzy, it wouldn't sell so well.Another big "if." According to you, wes, it's the nature of the news beasts to tell lies in order to make the biggest profit. Are these news beasts examples of your "excellent folks?" Or are the masses, who apparently demand the lies, examples of your "excellent folks?" (As taken from the "Personality Changes" thread.) One could almost assume that you think it is the nature of the human beast to tell lies, spread propaganda, and be basically, shit, in order to make a buck or two. Watch what you think or say, wes. Be verry, verry careful or you too might have someone tell you that "Your perspective is horrendously skewed."

According to you, wes, it's the nature of the news beasts to tell lies in order to make the biggest profit.

A very simplistic perspective. Lies eh? I don't think the news necessarily lies per se, but skews the information they obtain to the perspective they think will make them the most money. A business has to make money. They want to grow. They are generally bound by their corporate status to try and increase the value of their stock. This is their mandate. If saying something in a different way, which is misleading but not a direct lie exactly... makes them more money... how can they not do it? The executives directly responsible for increasing stock value must by their mandate do what they can to make this happen.

But consider the article I provided as an example. If one were not savvy, it would perhaps seem correct. One wouldn't realize that the people who were arrested weren't doing much different that what seems to be allowed in various other establishments near the one that was busted.

Bah. I'm just saying that this must be true of most available information. What IS, is not really quite what is written. There are generally elements crucial to understanding the big picture that are simply lacking. It sells better if these people are villified. That way we have someone to whom we can point and bolster our self-image through the apparent destruction of other and are provided a bullshit sense of security that "this isn't going on anymore" when that's simply untrue.

Are these news beasts examples of your "excellent folks?"

I do not know them personally, so how would I know? I wouldn't say that what they do as reporters necessarily makes them "shit". They have circumstances that require them to perform as they do, just like anyone else. People who are shit senslessly torture cats and such because they get a kick from it.

Or are the masses, who apparently demand the lies, examples of your "excellent folks?" (As taken from the "Personality Changes" thread.)

Excellent folks, IMO, are generally people who love their children, "do the right thing" as they see it, and try to be generally helpfull to the people they encounter during life. Something to that effect. Now, give that I don't know the entirety of "the masses", I don't know if they are "excellent folks". I would estimate based on my experience however, that there are indeed, plenty of excellent folks out there in the masses. That they demand lies is simply reflective of their humanity.. their need for security and re-enforcement of their values. I don't think they are shit because they are human, as you've expressed must be true.

One could almost assume that you think it is the nature of the human beast to tell lies, spread propaganda, and be basically, shit, in order to make a buck or two.

If you think that is necessarily shit, then yes..

Why do people lie though? Why do they spread propaganda? Is it always bad? Bad to whom? What is propaganda? What is shit?

IMO, I don't think that stuff is necessarily shit. For instance, lies to save feelings - though I don't like it, don't mean the person lying is shit. Propaganda to save lives, that's not shit. Propaganda to sell stuff, that's fair and unshitty, unless it's lies (propaganda obviously isn't necessarily a lie, but lies in the shady area of skewed information).

IMO, the stuff above is analogous to the fact that everyone has to shit. Therefore, there is a shitty component to all people, but that does not at all substantiate relegating their entire function to just that. While they shit, perhaps they have and epiphany regarding making shitting more comfortable for everyone. That's a beautiful shit right there.

Oh, and making a buck or two is important. Try not making any bucks. Basically as far as I see it, making a buck or two vs. not making a buck or two is basically analagous to the hunter coming home with a dead rabbit to cook, or nothing so his family starves.

Watch what you think or say, wes. Be verry, verry careful or you too might have someone tell you that "Your perspective is horrendously skewed."

No, I don't. I can handle it if someone decides to say that to me. If they do however, I'll probably know already that they don't know shit.. because I know me better than they do, most likely. I might ask what they mean by horrendously. My perspective is definately skewed however, as everyone's to their experience.

Everyone's perspective is highly skewed, it's just that YOURs is horrendously skewed, by that I mean, skewed toward the horrendous. You see shit. That seems to be all you're able to see. To me you see what you look for. When your premise is that people are shit, you'll see shit everywhere. IMO, you do yourself a great disservice by this premise. I think you should try going with a new premise for a while: everyone is awesome. I don't mean you should stick with it, but I mean you should try to see how you can justify it through your eyes. ultimately you shouldn't think people are great or shit, because each of us is somewhere in between in a thousand different ways.

You could be right wes. Humans are probably not all shit. There are probably some pretty awesome fuckers out there. I stand corrected. Are you afraid to tell me the "worst" thing you have ever done? (In the vein of "I have tortured and killed several cats.") Have you the desire? The need? The balls? Don't worry about what others think. Don't worry about your image. Don't worry about losing something. Don't PM me. Put it here. Or don't. I'm sure I will be amazed, either way.

I've never done anything in the vein of killing several cats. *shrug*

Oh, one time I accidentally killed a dog when I was like 12. I cried like a little bitch about it for hours. I loved that dog. I accidentally dropped a stack of newspapers on his skull in the dark and crushed it. Felt like shit about it.

I've simply never had the want to torture an animal.

I did take a dog to the pound for immediate execution if that counts. I was hoping someone would take him. He was an asshole of a dog. He nipped at my kids, shit all over my house, etc. I hated that dog. I didn't want to kill him really, I just wanted him away from me and the family. Took him to the pound and he nipped at them too so they killed him right away. Someone else had him for like the first 8 months of his life, so he was pre-fucked up. I didn't really feel terrible about taking him to the pound... a little, but it didn't deeply bother me.

The worst thing I did besides that was take advantage of a drunk girl one time. I did it intentionally to see what the dark side was like. Didn't find any thrills there really, so didn't go back.

I have spanked my oldest daughter out of anger a few times when she was younger. I probably smacked her little bottom harder than I should have.

Hmm.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Perhaps you'd think differently of what I've done that is bad, I dunno. I'm sure however, given your perspective, that I must have done something far shittier than the above, but I don't see shit like you do so maybe I don't recognize it.

Oh I think once when I was like 11 I chased my sister around the house with a knife. I wouldn't have hurt her in a million years with it, but was doing it because it shocked me that she thought I might. It was pretty dumb of me. I did feel bad about it and tried to console her afterward I think. It's been a long time.

How very manly of you by the way, to ask if I'm "afraid to tell you". Why would I have the need to tell you? I'll tell you because you asked and I don't have a real problem telling. It hasn't shit to do with fear, balls or what others think.

Oh and when I was like 8 I used to help a friend steal cigarettes from the grocery store sometimes.

Perhaps you'd think differently of what I've done that is bad, I dunno. I'm sure however, given your perspective, that I must have done something far shittier than the above, but I don't see shit like you do so maybe I don't recognize it.
No, I don't think that you "must have" done anything far shittier than what you have mentioned. Nor do I think that everyone is as bad as myself, or that I am the worst that there is. Nor do I know if you have been totally honest with me. Only you know that. Just curious to know what you have done that has hurt yourself, if anything. To me, this is more meaningful than following paths that have been traveled over and over again throughout history, like saying that news is crap. Though I agree with that. It's just not the heart of the matter, imo.

As far as the taking advantage of a drunk girl, SHAME, SHAME. I've done that too, though for some reason that worked out for me and her. We became good friends in the army. We were both lieutenants and served together in Somalia. One time I remember NOT taking advantage of a drunk girl. I took her home, changed her clothes, put her to bed and fell asleep next to her. She ended up falling in love with me, she said, because of that. We got married and it ended two years later on a sour note. Life is weird.

How very manly of you by the way, to ask if I'm "afraid to tell you". Why would I have the need to tell you? I'll tell you because you asked and I don't have a real problem telling. It hasn't shit to do with fear, balls or what others think. How very manly of you to say so.

Oh and when I was like 8 I used to help a friend steal cigarettes from the grocery store sometimes.Man, you sound a bit like a goody-two-shoes. You sure those are the worst things you have ever done? Don't be afraid, just tell me. If you will be completely honest with me, maybe you will save me from myself.

Yeah what I did was particularly evil IMO, and I did so by choice like I said.

Me and a bro were shooting pool and pretty drunk and high. Don't remember how these two chicks came up to us, but they did. They were both hammered too and we were having fun. When it was time to go home, he drove one and I the other. I took the one to her home and went to my bro's house for after bar smokage. He said on the way driving the other chick home she'd went down on him. He said she'd asked him to come back later, that she'd leave the door open for him. She did leave the door open. I asked if he was going over. He said "nah", and then between the two of us, I decided I was going if he wasn't.

I went over there and the door was open. I went in, she was in bed asleep. I just stood over her, scared, thinking the moment she asked me to leave or anything negative I was running the hell out of there. I busted it out and put it in her face and she opened up and got busy. A while later we were naked, etc. etc. I left when it was over.

I didn't even know her name, haven't seen her since.

I really don't feel terrible about it, but wouldn't do somethign like that again as I explained above. I think it was an evil act and I found no thrill in the evil of it. The sex was okay and stuff, but it wasn't worth the evil... so...

Not proud of it at all, not particularly ashamed, just a smidge... but regardless.. it happened.

Unless I've blocked something horrible out of my memory, those are the worst things I can think of. I'm no "goody two-shoes", I just don't like hurting things. I've always had a strong empathic streak.

You'd probably find it weird to think that I feel I have a strong empathic quality too. I never said I didn't hurt (and a lot) after doing the things I did to those cats. I usually cried afterwards. I couldn't stop doing it though. For some reason, there was a thrill to it for me. An addiction. Extreme narcissism. I still don't understand it. It has taken me 35 years to get to a point where I feel safer around cats, though I still don't trust myself. I don't much like myself these days, but I've learned to live with that. The funny thing is, cat's loved me. At least at first. I loved them too. I don't like hurting things either. At the same time, I do. Some form of split personality? Or just a personality split?

P.S. Tell me to shut up and we can get back on topic, if you like.

You'd probably find it weird to think that I feel I have a strong empathic quality too.

You do a good job of burying it, but I don't find it shocking.

I never said I didn't hurt (and a lot) after doing the things I did to those cats. I usually cried afterwards.

I remember you saying that. I don't doubt you.

I couldn't stop doing it though. For some reason, there was a thrill to it for me. An addiction. Extreme narcissism. I still don't understand it.

I wish I could say I do, but I don't really. I might were I to know you better... but uh... this is the net and stuff.

It has taken me 35 years to get to a point where I feel safer around cats, though I still don't trust myself.

Yeah that's harsh man. Hope you get past it, seriously.

I don't much like myself these days, but I've learned to live with that.

Just do something worth liking, like for instance working on your perspective as I suggested above... or something, anything that you find worthy of real respect.

The funny thing is, cat's loved me. At least at first. I loved them too. I don't like hurting things either. At the same time, I do. Some form of split personality? Or just a personality split?

I dunno, sounds like a power thing to me, control maybe... like I say I don't know you well enough to provide a solid analysis. I'm really fucking good at it though, when I do know people... at least as far as I can tell.

P.S. Tell me to shut up and we can get back on topic, if you like.

Meh, I don't mind sidebars.

Well, thanks for taking the time, wes. I don't know what I am doing. Seems like every other day I start talking about the bad I have done in my life. I don't think I am looking for sympathy, or a reason to live, or anything related to that. I just want to understand. Why I have done the things I have done in my life. Why others do the things they do. Goddamn, I am just sick of the same ole shit day after day, minute after minute. No answers. No big picture. Endless searching. Pushing the boundaries the only way I know how. Always wondering. Sappy shit.

Where did "meh" come from? Is that a regional thing? I have never seen it used so much as here at sciforums. You, invert-nexus, me even at times. Others.

Do you wonder if I have done even worse shit in my life than torturing and killing cats? I've wondered if some of you wonder, but were hesitant to ask, since you continually seem to forgive me and keep talking to me after I act like a complete ass. Or are you a little like me in that you get tired of the fighting, the name-calling, the macho head games? Why am I not on your ignore list is what I would like to know? For me, I can't put people on ignore because I am just too curious about what they might say about me.

Wes, I've always liked you (though that is probably not very comforting now :) ). You seem to be "right on" on so many topics. Why do you like life? What is so appealling about it to you? You will probably say that you love your wife, or your little girls, or your job. If you lost all of that, what do you think would keep you going? If you lost all hope, all desire, all motivation, what do you think would keep you going?

Sorry for the disjointed nature of my prose, but I am tired and depressed.

P.S. Yes, with the cats, it was definitely a control thing. But where does that need to control, to dominate, come from? Ah, don't worry about it. I don't think there is a good answer. Even if there is, and I've thought I've had several good ones at times, they don't seem to help.

Well, thanks for taking the time, wes.

Actually if I've been at all helpful I'm very happy to have taken the time.

I don't know what I am doing.

And you won't until you decide what it is that you are doing. Kind of stupid sounding I know.. but there is some simple wisdom there I think.

Seems like every other day I start talking about the bad I have done in my life. I don't think I am looking for sympathy, or a reason to live, or anything related to that. I just want to understand. Why I have done the things I have done in my life. Why others do the things they do.

Well you know, it's actually pretty simple but the details get complicated as hell. Everyone performs their function flawlessly. Don't wonder if it's true, assume it and work backwards. Things will make more sense. Add the fact that your function is always changing, and that you can consciously change it with applied will, or "proper motivation". People do what they do because it's what they learn to do given their circumstance and predalection.

I would stress highly that you need to forgive yourself and move on. I forgive you. You have to be a man for yourself and forgive yourself for what you've done wrong, that is if you want to live, which you goddamned should because you have something to offer, like for instance.. all that empathy you're squashing most of the time, and your intellect, passion, etc.

Goddamn, I am just sick of the same ole shit day after day, minute after minute.

The fucking quit it. Do something different. Change your mind. Try a new premise. How about like i suggested. Try "everyone is the best person in the world" for a while, just to try it on. It will be difficult because you're not used to it, but one way there is to contemplate forgiveness. Forgive them for being human. Forgive yourself for being human. Let your empathy drive for a while, or not. What do you want? Do you like your misery and loathsomeness? I don't think you do. I think your'e better than that, but won't forgive yourself for your previously wicked ways. Love something, goddamn you.

No answers. No big picture. Endless searching. Pushing the boundaries the only way I know how. Always wondering. Sappy shit.

You can know other ways. But you won't until you give up your current attitude. Dude, I'm just saying what i think. Ignore me if you want, I only want to help.

Where did "meh" come from? Is that a regional thing? I have never seen it used so much as here at sciforums. You, invert-nexus, me even at times. Others.

I can't remember where I picked it up. Long ago.

Do you wonder if I have done even worse shit in my life than torturing and killing cats?

Not really much, maybe. It's not really my concern, as I don't have to live with you in reality. You do.

I've wondered if some of you wonder, but were hesitant to ask, since you continually seem to forgive me and keep talking to me after I act like a complete ass.

I care about who you are now, not who you were. If you're a jerkass to me, I'll likely respond in kind. If you're not... I won't, as I have no reason to do so. I don't really do grudges, but will generally react with whatever is currently happening.l

Or are you a little like me in that you get tired of the fighting, the name-calling, the macho head games?

I used to, but now I accept them as part of being. I'm not a static brain in a jar. I get pissed off, I get tired, etc. I figure it happens to everyone. I get my shit over with and move on. If I'm pissy, I work it out and eventually find myself laughing over the how situations can affect my responses or whatever. I accept that I'm not an entirely rational being. I don't expect that anyone else is either. I know they aren't. All we can do is strive.

Why am I not on your ignore list is what I would like to know? For me, I can't put people on ignore because I am just too curious about what they might say about me.

Because I realized the ignore list doesn't work. It's no different that just ignoring you in general. If I want to ignore you, I will, but generally I don't ignore comments directed toward me. It's not that it's about me as much as it is 'toward me', as a challenge to my position or whatever. I want to explore challenges to my perspective... so I defend my perspective and if it fails, I try to change it.

Wes, I've always liked you (though that is probably not very comforting now :) ).

LOL. Well I knew you DID, but figure you pretty much wanted to murder me and my family because of my positions regarding Iraq and such.

You seem to be "right on" on so many topics. Why do you like life?

Hehe.. good question. I doubt you'll find the answer satisfying, but here it is: Because I refuse to succumb to the alternative.

What is so appealling about it to you?

Mostly the question for comprehension, but really it's just a many forms of hedonism.

You will probably say that you love your wife, or your little girls, or your job.

Nah, I love them and stuff, and I like my jobs.. they are part of why I love my life now, but if they went away, I'd grieve, then find myself something new to like. Family is something incredible though. I'm constantly amazed by my children. Loving them is incredibly moving. I wish I could convey it.

If you lost all of that, what do you think would keep you going?

Dunno. I'll figure it out when it happens.

If you lost all hope, all desire, all motivation, what do you think would keep you going?

Curiosity? -> which provides some of each of the above...

Oh, and part of what keeps me going is feeling usefull. It may sound stupid, but when people thank me for my service I say "gotta be good for sumthin", and actually, I mean it. I'm really glad to be good for something. I have something to offer. That's rewarding to me.

Sorry for the disjointed nature of my prose, but I am tired and depressed.

Not a problem.

P.S. Yes, with the cats, it was definitely a control thing. But where does that need to control, to dominate, come from? Ah, don't worry about it. I don't think there is a good answer. Even if there is, and I've thought I've had several good ones at times, they don't seem to help.

My initial thought is that most fixations regarding control are compensatory for a feeling of helplessness, perhaps a traumatic event or ... well, something over a long period of time.

Wes, yes, I'm enjoying our conversation. I think it may help. I will respond tomorrow, as I just spent half an hour typing a response that felt like shit to me, so I am just going to wait until tomorrow. I don't know really what I want to say right now. I need sleep. I want to respond, but with a clear head. Good night. How's that bathroom coming, btw?

Baoron Max: "Please explain, in detail, how one can know which news article if "excellent" and which is not? And if there's no quick, simple method to distinguish between the crap and the "excellent", then we're right back where we started .....reading crap!"

You answered with the first part of the question: "In Detail". Excellent journalism answers questions with facts in detail. Bad journalism glosses over facts and babbles the expected popular line.

Excellent journalism examines events in detail from the viewpoint of others. If you read USA Today or watch CNN, you are instead consuming a product designed for brevity and emotional appeal to a specific audience.

You can also compare reporters to learn to recognize the quality of excellence. I suggest Googling and reading the reports of Geraldo Rivera and Robert Fisk on the Mideast and Iraq (two reporters that come to mind when I think of the good and the bad). That comparison should clearly highlight the excellence (or lack of it) that I am referring to.

Another way to verify the journalism you read is to interact as much as possible with people involved in the story: Don't let journalism be your only window into worlds that interest you. If you do not travel a lot, there are many people around you who do. Your own interactions with people personally involved in a story that interests you can enable your descrimination of real journalists from propagandists and hacks.

Actually if I've been at all helpful I'm very happy to have taken the time.Hey, you've been helpful. I appreciate your time. I haven't felt like talking. Still don't feel like it, but I'm gonna anyway. Give it the ole college try, so to say. Forgive me upfront for how difficult you will probably think I am being. I don't know that I am ready or maybe even able to change yet. And you won't until you decide what it is that you are doing. Kind of stupid sounding I know.. but there is some simple wisdom there I think.You're right. For years now, I've been dying. Figuratively, and literally as well. At least that has been my objective. What I told myself I was doing. What I wanted. What I still want, for the most part. I'm just not gonna do it quickly, I guess. Like I said somewhere else, I'm afraid of hurting my family, and I'm afraid I could be wrong about that cocksucking god that keeps haunting me. If you're listening somewhere god, bite me, or strike me down, you fucking ass-wipe. Well you know, it's actually pretty simple but the details get complicated as hell. Everyone performs their function flawlessly. Don't wonder if it's true, assume it and work backwards. Things will make more sense. Add the fact that your function is always changing, and that you can consciously change it with applied will, or "proper motivation". People do what they do because it's what they learn to do given their circumstance and predalection.This is where I will start getting difficult. Sorry, upfront. I don't want to get better just to re-join a society (U.S.) that I predominantly think is corrupt, moronic and heading in the wrong direction. I don't want to help change this society anymore, for the most part. There are a few exceptions, I guess, but for the most part I don't think this society wants, needs or deserves my attention, time or effort. I would rather help it in its downward spiral, hoping that one day the masses will wake up and realize what is happening and what will happen if they don't wake up. What do I think is happening, you will probably want to know. Imo, we are heading towards the destruction of ourselves and our only habitable planet. Extinction for ourselves and maybe every living organism on this planet. I think our attitudes about god(s), and an afterlife, are leading us towards a self-induced extinction. I don't think we are all really serious about our survival. Hmmph. Maybe a good thing for the universe.
I would stress highly that you need to forgive yourself and move on. I forgive you. You have to be a man for yourself and forgive yourself for what you've done wrong, that is if you want to live, which you goddamned should because you have something to offer, like for instance.. all that empathy you're squashing most of the time, and your intellect, passion, etc.
I've forgiven myself. As best as I will ever be able to, maybe. But I realized somewhere along the way that forgiveness is not an end-all and be-all solution to my attitude, ideas and, perhaps wrongly, my outlook about our society. You are not the first to ask me to forgive myself. You will not be the last. However, I think that that kind of thinking is just as, if not more, harmful than the outlook I have now. You see, it's when I think better of myself that I tend to do the most harm. When I forgive (and tend to forget or ignore) the potential destructive behavior that I possess.
Then fucking quit it. Do something different. Change your mind. Try a new premise. How about like i suggested. Try "everyone is the best person in the world" for a while, just to try it on. It will be difficult because you're not used to it, but one way there is to contemplate forgiveness. Forgive them for being human. Forgive yourself for being human. Let your empathy drive for a while, or not. What do you want? Do you like your misery and loathsomeness? I don't think you do. I think your'e better than that, but won't forgive yourself for your previously wicked ways. Love something, goddamn you.I do. How can I think that ALL humanity is shit without loving all of them? Idiotic? Probably.
You can know other ways. But you won't until you give up your current attitude. Dude, I'm just saying what i think. Ignore me if you want, I only want to help.I know. Thanks. Ever read Chuck Swindoll and his poem about attitude? I think he's one more cog in the machine that has brainwashed this world. What good is a positive attitude if you are part of a herd that is headed towards the cliff? Will that positive attitude save you?
Not really much, maybe. It's not really my concern, as I don't have to live with you in reality. You do.Okay. Fair enough. I'm fine with myself for the most part. It's the rest of you that really scare me. :D
I care about who you are now, not who you were. If you're a jerkass to me, I'll likely respond in kind. If you're not... I won't, as I have no reason to do so. I don't really do grudges, but will generally react with whatever is currently happening.I understand. Me too.
It's not that it's about me as much as it is 'toward me', as a challenge to my position or whatever.Yes, exactly.I want to explore challenges to my perspective... so I defend my perspective and if it fails, I try to change it.I'm trying. It's hard when you're as self-centered as me. :)
LOL. Well I knew you DID, but figure you pretty much wanted to murder me and my family because of my positions regarding Iraq and such.
Hard one. Maybe I wanted to kill you, in a moment of anger, but not your family. Neither will ever happen, though, so don't think about it for another second.
Hehe.. good question. I doubt you'll find the answer satisfying, but here it is: Because I refuse to succumb to the alternative.Yeah, that's pretty much been my problem. I'm too stubborn to die just yet.
Nah, I love them and stuff, and I like my jobs.. they are part of why I love my life now, but if they went away, I'd grieve, then find myself something new to like. Family is something incredible though. I'm constantly amazed by my children. Loving them is incredibly moving. I wish I could convey it.You have, very well. Over at thescienceforum, while sciforums was down the last time. I can imagine, I think. The good and the bad.
My initial thought is that most fixations regarding control are compensatory for a feeling of helplessness, perhaps a traumatic event or ... well, something over a long period of time.Yeah, proabably 8 years in the army having to take orders from idiots. Though the thing with the cats started in the 7th grade. Guess I was 12. I'll think more about it. Even if it was my silent father or controlling mother, who divorced when I was 5, I've stopped blaming them. It doesn't really matter anymore. Like you said, we are all just striving to do the best we can.

Back on topic, for a minute, does anyone else have DishTV? I noticed yesterday that for some reason I have just lost two news channels in the package that I suscribe to (the cheapest one). I've lost MSNBC and Bloomberg Independent. I liked BITV. I liked Allison on MSNBC (if you liked her too, you will probably know who I am talking about). Anyone else notice this breach of contract, imo? I had to sign up for a two year deal, and now they are taking away 2 of my channels less than 6 months into the contract. Now all I get is two CNN channels and CNBC, not counting C-SPAN I & II. Cocksucking cunts.

Excellent journalism ...
You can also compare reporters to learn to recognize the quality of excellence.
Another way to verify the journalism you read is to interact as much as possible with people involved in the story...

Hype, who in hell has time to do that on each and every story in the news? Or for that matter, even the ones that are of interest? Researching such issues/articles would take days, if not weeks, and the news of the day would slowly leave you in the dust ...and you'd become only a dusty, old historian, rather than a current affairs expert.

I do understand your post and I actually agree with it. But it's simply unrealistic for one to have the time to devote to such things. I'm retired, don't even work at all, yet I don't have the time to research even small problems or world affairs, etc. How do you? Or how does anyone else?

They don't, Hype, and that's why we rely on the news media ....and since THAT sucks, then what we know sucks! :)

Baron Max

I work a lot, yet have time to keep up reasonably well with major events - not as a chore but just a personal interest and habit. Of course everyone need not take an interest in the news, but for those who do, the choices are growing more diverse than ever before. Like an increasingly diverse choice of food or music, this does afford the potential to develop a taste for higher quality. This surpasses personal tastes and leanings, and every genre has both quality and crap that most people with an experienced palate can agree on.

It's true that few of us have time to delve deeply into all the world's problems. There are some global issues that have and do impact me personally, and those are the specifics that I tend to pay the most attention to. Because the world is unavoidably integrating, there will be more and more ties between us all as we advance.

Thankfully we are not taking all our meals at McDonalds, nor are we lapping up all our information at CNN. If it were so, I'm sure we would all be not just dumb but dead by now.