It continues to amaze me with all the 24/7 news, available education regarding history of the world and it’s countries, a push for cultural competency how Americans continue to self isolate in our own bubble of denial regarding other countries’ struggles and triumphs. Of course, we do pay attention once a world event,impacts the American economy or our sense of security. However, this is a sad state of affairs, that it takes something such as a war in Ukraine to awake and goad people of the United States to break their security bubble and join the outside world of reality where it is evident how all humans and world events are connected for better or for worse.
Until News becomes not for profit, it will continue to be trivialized, while important stories are left on the back burner because they aren't profitable. All news for profit has an element of " tabloidism" , which is bad for government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
One of the international stories that intrigues me the most is learning about the millions of Ukrainians migrating into Poland who are 90% women and children.
Since they often do not have a place to go, they are being exploited by given a place to stay in exchange for house cleaning and sex. The Polish government is trying to get control of this but it seems to be a very big problem at the moment.
True. Although if you managed to pass such a law in Texas, it would be followed. The problem is getting state government to listen to the public. And undoing a fair bit of brainwashing.
I read an article on “How the news media-long in thrall to Trump-can cover his new run for president responsibly. “. This was posted in the conversation.com. Many good ideas here. I suggest the news media return to journalism professional standards and ignore reporting lies and hate speech espoused by Trump.
An appreciation for the news emanating from other countries has to start early, in school, and at home, where children and teens see their parents engaged in the news. . As 50’s children, we had the Weekly Reader delivered to our classes, where we spent time catching up on the rest of the world. I think that, plus the aftermath of World War ll, helped promote a glance “outward.” Families sat together to watch Walter Kronkite, or Huntley-Brinkley. Today’s younger parents often don’t even get home from work until the mainstream news shows are over. If “News Of the World” was a regular part of the curriculum, maybe presented in a class format weekly, our population would develop a news habit, and a better understanding of the world.
Two main thoughts occur because of this post. First, I do search for international news and regularly fire the US networks who provide more entertainment and sales (think steals and deals) than news like BBC, CBC, Euro News, etc. Secondly, I wonder if we will be willing and able to work as hard at peace as we do at war. During war we do have to commit funds for weapons; but during peace will we see the value in helping rebuild infrastructure? Is there going to be a Marshall Plan equivalent for Ukraine? We don’t need to make America great again; we already are. But what will we be willing to do to help other democracies survive, and thrive?
When I was pastoring churches I encouraged parishioners and church leaders to support local, national,and international causes in need of charity and hope. To focus on one to the exclusion of others is to miss the point of good Christianity. This is not unlike the responsibilities of citizenship. We need to be aware of needs and activities locally, nationally, and internationally because the earth is of a whole.
While rich (and not so rich) and powerful countries fight among themselves and within their own borders, the rest of the world is starving. They suffer from drought, flooding and famine while our politicians point fingers as to who is to blame for "the immigrant problem ". People migrate when they're starving and watch their children dying, they rise up against those they see responsible and they follow autocrates and dictators who give them hope even if it is false. For many of us this is a matter of morality and decency. For those who only look within our country, there needs to be recognition that for us to prosper the whole world needs to also.
Mr. Rather, thank you for your insight. I have always been frustrated with how shortsighted Americans are with foreign affairs but had not thought how frustrating it must be to journalists.
As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, every time I hear someone complain about foreign aid that is spent in underdeveloped countries, I understand they have not taken the time to look at the data and understand it shows, for example, PEPFAR funding has been instrumental in the HIV/AIDS decrease, not just in the targeted developing countries, but in the United States. Because, as is often the case, when the U.S. funds foreign aid programs, the endgame is altruistic; it is about slowing the pace that HIV/AIDS spreads across our borders, not simply putting money into a foreign country. The U.S. is helping, but we are getting back simultaneously.
This simple yet strategic thinking, helping each other, is something that Trump and his followers could not embrace because they only wanted to benefit themselves. We are smarter, wiser, and know better now. If we do not start moving in the direction of helping our global neighbor, we are destroying each other. We are connected.
As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, let's not allow Trump's cynical ploys to continue having the ability to plant a red herring and divert us from having the "blue gravy" we have earned. Mid-term elections are allowing for some celebration.
Damn it nailing it again! And it is exasperating to observe exactly what Sharyn responded with below and so many, so many not get it. However, steady, we must remain steady and hopeful! The midterms gave me such hope, the young people coming up in this world get it and they are pushing back. We MUST get behind them and help them push back on this chaos that dark lying evil trump carnage. We must not accept it. We must have difficult conversations. I so appreciate everyone on here it is empowering and hopeful and educational!
A clear mind can keep a nation off its danger.
It continues to amaze me with all the 24/7 news, available education regarding history of the world and it’s countries, a push for cultural competency how Americans continue to self isolate in our own bubble of denial regarding other countries’ struggles and triumphs. Of course, we do pay attention once a world event,impacts the American economy or our sense of security. However, this is a sad state of affairs, that it takes something such as a war in Ukraine to awake and goad people of the United States to break their security bubble and join the outside world of reality where it is evident how all humans and world events are connected for better or for worse.
I just learned of this outbreak in Haiti. We have so much work to do in the world.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130662
Until News becomes not for profit, it will continue to be trivialized, while important stories are left on the back burner because they aren't profitable. All news for profit has an element of " tabloidism" , which is bad for government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Should have known better than to feed a troll....
One of the international stories that intrigues me the most is learning about the millions of Ukrainians migrating into Poland who are 90% women and children.
Since they often do not have a place to go, they are being exploited by given a place to stay in exchange for house cleaning and sex. The Polish government is trying to get control of this but it seems to be a very big problem at the moment.
We have ton rid ourselves of Trump and his hate mongers. Civility, love compassion. We're all in this tigether. Let's get along.
True. Although if you managed to pass such a law in Texas, it would be followed. The problem is getting state government to listen to the public. And undoing a fair bit of brainwashing.
I read an article on “How the news media-long in thrall to Trump-can cover his new run for president responsibly. “. This was posted in the conversation.com. Many good ideas here. I suggest the news media return to journalism professional standards and ignore reporting lies and hate speech espoused by Trump.
An appreciation for the news emanating from other countries has to start early, in school, and at home, where children and teens see their parents engaged in the news. . As 50’s children, we had the Weekly Reader delivered to our classes, where we spent time catching up on the rest of the world. I think that, plus the aftermath of World War ll, helped promote a glance “outward.” Families sat together to watch Walter Kronkite, or Huntley-Brinkley. Today’s younger parents often don’t even get home from work until the mainstream news shows are over. If “News Of the World” was a regular part of the curriculum, maybe presented in a class format weekly, our population would develop a news habit, and a better understanding of the world.
Right now people don’t want the balance of control until the crazies are all gone. We want democracy.
Two main thoughts occur because of this post. First, I do search for international news and regularly fire the US networks who provide more entertainment and sales (think steals and deals) than news like BBC, CBC, Euro News, etc. Secondly, I wonder if we will be willing and able to work as hard at peace as we do at war. During war we do have to commit funds for weapons; but during peace will we see the value in helping rebuild infrastructure? Is there going to be a Marshall Plan equivalent for Ukraine? We don’t need to make America great again; we already are. But what will we be willing to do to help other democracies survive, and thrive?
When I was pastoring churches I encouraged parishioners and church leaders to support local, national,and international causes in need of charity and hope. To focus on one to the exclusion of others is to miss the point of good Christianity. This is not unlike the responsibilities of citizenship. We need to be aware of needs and activities locally, nationally, and internationally because the earth is of a whole.
While rich (and not so rich) and powerful countries fight among themselves and within their own borders, the rest of the world is starving. They suffer from drought, flooding and famine while our politicians point fingers as to who is to blame for "the immigrant problem ". People migrate when they're starving and watch their children dying, they rise up against those they see responsible and they follow autocrates and dictators who give them hope even if it is false. For many of us this is a matter of morality and decency. For those who only look within our country, there needs to be recognition that for us to prosper the whole world needs to also.
Mr. Rather, thank you for your insight. I have always been frustrated with how shortsighted Americans are with foreign affairs but had not thought how frustrating it must be to journalists.
As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, every time I hear someone complain about foreign aid that is spent in underdeveloped countries, I understand they have not taken the time to look at the data and understand it shows, for example, PEPFAR funding has been instrumental in the HIV/AIDS decrease, not just in the targeted developing countries, but in the United States. Because, as is often the case, when the U.S. funds foreign aid programs, the endgame is altruistic; it is about slowing the pace that HIV/AIDS spreads across our borders, not simply putting money into a foreign country. The U.S. is helping, but we are getting back simultaneously.
This simple yet strategic thinking, helping each other, is something that Trump and his followers could not embrace because they only wanted to benefit themselves. We are smarter, wiser, and know better now. If we do not start moving in the direction of helping our global neighbor, we are destroying each other. We are connected.
As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, let's not allow Trump's cynical ploys to continue having the ability to plant a red herring and divert us from having the "blue gravy" we have earned. Mid-term elections are allowing for some celebration.
Damn it nailing it again! And it is exasperating to observe exactly what Sharyn responded with below and so many, so many not get it. However, steady, we must remain steady and hopeful! The midterms gave me such hope, the young people coming up in this world get it and they are pushing back. We MUST get behind them and help them push back on this chaos that dark lying evil trump carnage. We must not accept it. We must have difficult conversations. I so appreciate everyone on here it is empowering and hopeful and educational!