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I am a freer thinker and a beer drinker I am a non-smoking bachelor who… more »
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May 13
lark commented on White Man News.
lark commented on White Man News.
Good Morning Charles,
Regarding your question:
"Are we arriving at a stage in American history when there's no such thing as universal news programming? Meaning, in our moment, Fox and CNN are not transnational but instead are for white Americans what Univision is for Latin Americans and BET for black Americans." Add to that, I've noticed that gay men & women view Rachael Maddow.
I think so. And, I don't like it. It's largely because of the expansion of telvision networks/cable TV. Americans watch WAY too much TV. For the record, I have never subscribed to cable TV. By and large, I avoid watching TV at all save for SportsCenter which I view at my local pub. I loathe TV.
As a collective, we Americans no longer watch transnational TV. This affects news especially. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings et al. Niches have been created. That to me smacks of exclusivisity.
I don't like this compartmentalizing of American pop culture & news. I don't think it constructive to the body politic.
Regarding your question:
"Are we arriving at a stage in American history when there's no such thing as universal news programming? Meaning, in our moment, Fox and CNN are not transnational but instead are for white Americans what Univision is for Latin Americans and BET for black Americans." Add to that, I've noticed that gay men & women view Rachael Maddow.
I think so. And, I don't like it. It's largely because of the expansion of telvision networks/cable TV. Americans watch WAY too much TV. For the record, I have never subscribed to cable TV. By and large, I avoid watching TV at all save for SportsCenter which I view at my local pub. I loathe TV.
As a collective, we Americans no longer watch transnational TV. This affects news especially. Gone are the days of Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings et al. Niches have been created. That to me smacks of exclusivisity.
I don't like this compartmentalizing of American pop culture & news. I don't think it constructive to the body politic.
May 12
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
@21,
Disagree completely.
First of all, I certainly don't admire Reagan as much the idol worship that is of Obama by the Democrats who IMHO has accomplished little. Reagan served and arguably (we're arguing right?) for the better. Reagan was human, American and so is Obama. Both were/are elected Presidents.
Reagan a "terrible man" is a bit of stretch. Clearly, there's a great political chasm between us. However, I recommend leaving the term "terrible" to the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Rios-Montt & Bokassa among many others.
Disagree completely.
First of all, I certainly don't admire Reagan as much the idol worship that is of Obama by the Democrats who IMHO has accomplished little. Reagan served and arguably (we're arguing right?) for the better. Reagan was human, American and so is Obama. Both were/are elected Presidents.
Reagan a "terrible man" is a bit of stretch. Clearly, there's a great political chasm between us. However, I recommend leaving the term "terrible" to the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Rios-Montt & Bokassa among many others.
May 11
lark commented on The Malcolm X Curse.
lark commented on The Malcolm X Curse.
Charles,
I just read this Sat. morning's Seattle Times that announced his death in a small snippet on pg. 2. He apparently was involved in bar fight. Weird that it took so long to report. Mr. Shabazz, 28 y/o left two children. I wonder what he was doing in Mexico? He was a convicted felon. Seems strange that he was able to roam across international borders.
There's also a coincidence. Today is Nation Of Islam Minister, Louis Farrakhan's 80th birthday. I believe Malcolm Shabazz's mother, Qubilah was once involved (convicted?) in a plot to assassinate Minister Farrakhan. Bit eerie.
I just read this Sat. morning's Seattle Times that announced his death in a small snippet on pg. 2. He apparently was involved in bar fight. Weird that it took so long to report. Mr. Shabazz, 28 y/o left two children. I wonder what he was doing in Mexico? He was a convicted felon. Seems strange that he was able to roam across international borders.
There's also a coincidence. Today is Nation Of Islam Minister, Louis Farrakhan's 80th birthday. I believe Malcolm Shabazz's mother, Qubilah was once involved (convicted?) in a plot to assassinate Minister Farrakhan. Bit eerie.
May 11
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
@15 Disagree Matt. Diplomatically.
It's a wager that you'd lose. For the record, no American President has ever been indicted for "crimes against humanity". Simply hasn't happened. Nor will it. I never said Reagan didn't say what he said. It's a question of degree. But, Obama must "press the flesh" too. Hence, the photo. It was a cheap shot.
It's a wager that you'd lose. For the record, no American President has ever been indicted for "crimes against humanity". Simply hasn't happened. Nor will it. I never said Reagan didn't say what he said. It's a question of degree. But, Obama must "press the flesh" too. Hence, the photo. It was a cheap shot.
May 10
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
lark commented on "Man of Great Personal Integrity" Sentenced to 80 Years in Prison for Genocide.
@ Herz,
All right. So, Rios-Montt is convicted of genocide. Fine, let him rot in prison. However, the cheap shot at Reagan was unnecessary. Reagan like a lot of US Presidents must shake hands heck, even compliment "devils":
https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+%2…
Recall we, the USA had diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany even when the Nuremberg Laws were enacted.
No, FDR never met let alone complimented Hitler. But, we had to deal with that monster.
President Harry Truman actually met and from understanding, complimented Joseph Stalin (!) a dictator equally as vicious as Hitler.
The list is long.
Look, I cut my Presidents slack. Even Obama. Consider the debacle in Libya:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/us/pol…
None of us on SLOG have a clue as to the diplomatic nuances and intricate US policy over Presidential Administrations regardless of party. Note Obama has had 2 Republicans as Sec. of Defense. I believe there's the President and the Presidency with the latter far, far larger.
In a perfect world, America would/should always "side with the good guy". It doesn't work that way. The Great Game alas, continues.
More...
All right. So, Rios-Montt is convicted of genocide. Fine, let him rot in prison. However, the cheap shot at Reagan was unnecessary. Reagan like a lot of US Presidents must shake hands heck, even compliment "devils":
https://www.google.com/search?q=obama+%2…
Recall we, the USA had diplomatic relations with Nazi Germany even when the Nuremberg Laws were enacted.
No, FDR never met let alone complimented Hitler. But, we had to deal with that monster.
President Harry Truman actually met and from understanding, complimented Joseph Stalin (!) a dictator equally as vicious as Hitler.
The list is long.
Look, I cut my Presidents slack. Even Obama. Consider the debacle in Libya:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/us/pol…
None of us on SLOG have a clue as to the diplomatic nuances and intricate US policy over Presidential Administrations regardless of party. Note Obama has had 2 Republicans as Sec. of Defense. I believe there's the President and the Presidency with the latter far, far larger.
In a perfect world, America would/should always "side with the good guy". It doesn't work that way. The Great Game alas, continues.
May 10
lark commented on Lion Prince Paul Allen.
lark commented on Lion Prince Paul Allen.
@22,
Um, yeah. I do believe it was a Kiwi, a unique-looking flightless bird. No one else was around when I saw it. But, later I told a local who said he wasn't surprised. Cars do hit them on occassion.
Um, yeah. I do believe it was a Kiwi, a unique-looking flightless bird. No one else was around when I saw it. But, later I told a local who said he wasn't surprised. Cars do hit them on occassion.
May 10
lark commented on Lion Prince Paul Allen.
lark commented on Lion Prince Paul Allen.
@19,
Speaking of Australia, other critters I viewed in their habitat were sharks on a SCUBA dive at 60 ' in the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns) and a dingo, yes rarely seen in the Outback. Alas, I didn't see a kangaroo! In New Zealand I saw a dead kiwi flatten on a road. NZ has no indigenous mammals.
Speaking of Australia, other critters I viewed in their habitat were sharks on a SCUBA dive at 60 ' in the Great Barrier Reef (Cairns) and a dingo, yes rarely seen in the Outback. Alas, I didn't see a kangaroo! In New Zealand I saw a dead kiwi flatten on a road. NZ has no indigenous mammals.
May 10
lark commented on The Source of Morality Isn't God.
lark commented on The Source of Morality Isn't God.
Charles,
I agree morality predates the concept of religion and can be exercised without the concept of God or religion. There have been a number of good people in my life who didn't believe in God or an organized religion. So, it is possible. That's just a direct account from me. But there are many, many more examples in human history.
Regarding your first question "Why does the idea of religion exist in the first place?" I believe it is because of the mystery of life and it's end, death. "Why is there something and not nothing?" the question of existence and "Why is there this something and not another?" the question of essence had to have been posed by our ancestors. I think religion may have arrived as a result of empathy & wonder. That's just my take.
I agree morality predates the concept of religion and can be exercised without the concept of God or religion. There have been a number of good people in my life who didn't believe in God or an organized religion. So, it is possible. That's just a direct account from me. But there are many, many more examples in human history.
Regarding your first question "Why does the idea of religion exist in the first place?" I believe it is because of the mystery of life and it's end, death. "Why is there something and not nothing?" the question of existence and "Why is there this something and not another?" the question of essence had to have been posed by our ancestors. I think religion may have arrived as a result of empathy & wonder. That's just my take.
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Agree.
That's most unfortunate to read, what Mugabe & Nkomo said. But, coming from a dictator, Mugabe it isn't too surprising.