pbs and America

Hello all;
  It is no secret that the Republican machine has targeted PBS as not only a "waste of American tax dollars but a biased and left leaning orgainazation".  Well, it is likely difficult to define anything as such when "fox and friends" is the news source choice for republicans wanting to live in the party line.  As most Americans, I occasionally watch news from a variety of sources - except the newspaper.  In my town, it is a joke.  Still, even still, I find that I typically receive the "headline" type of news -- 'if it bleeds, it leads' stuff.  Real understanding and real news cannot be wrapped up in 2 minutes so the commercial can be played.
  And, that my friends, is the diference between the network news organizations and PBS.  The role of the network news in today's time is to enlighten a bit, entertain a bit, and sell product a lot.  Okay, the purpose is to sell product.  These are businesses, and like all business the goal is to create and maintain a happy customer.  PBS has no real commercials.  They have sponsors, of course.  But, the sponsorship is in addition to the public money in the form of tax dollars and donations.  The goal of PBS is not to sell product, it is to educate. 
  I realize this is all understood, and I'm probably simply telling you what you already know.  I knew it too, and were it not for taking the moment to do a bit of searching for things about tornados, I would likely not have bothered going to the PBS page.  I would be much the poorer for that.  I have really enjoyed and come to better understand a great deal of the goings on in the world by these stories that aren't governed by needing to fit in between another advertisement for better living through chemicals and the fluff pieces that make everyone smile and believe all is well in the world.
  So far tonight I've come to understand the role global warming does and does not play in the rash of tornados this year; the stability and lack there of in African countries; the reclaiming of blighted towns, and since I'm writing this before I've managed to see it all, who knows what's next.  I also watched a neat short story told in first person by a veteran of WW2.  I'm excited to actually learn about something with some depth. 
  Here is the link I am using:  http://video.pbs.org/video/1954884553 but you could likely just use the pbs.org and go from there.  It's truly a gold mine, and I feel much richer for my time spent there this today.   -randy.

TAPS

Hi Friends;
  In my wanderings, I found myself reading this wonderful blog called "Jay in VA"
http://jayinva.blogspot.com/?zx=ddb9709e8d367080

I love his attitude and his manner of being.  He kept my interest and made me think and enjoy his stories and blog.  I hope you will visit. 

Jay made a post regarding taps.  I again, encourage you to visit to read it.  I am going to steal the words....did you know there are words?  I didn't.  Please see the whole post at the above link.

This link below will play the song.


Taps Lyrics:
http://www.armystudyguide.com/downloads/Taps.mp3
Day is done,
gone the sun,
from the lakes
from the hills
from the sky,
all is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Fading light,
Dims the sight,
And a star
gems the sky
Gleaming bright,
From afar,
Drawing near,
Falls the night.


Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

wow! I won again?!?

click on pic to go to link, hit play

Sunday Fail

My Saturday thoughts...

Hi Everyone;

  Not a lot to share with you today.  You have found me eating my morning oatmeal....raisins and cinnamon, of course.  I spent most of yesterday curled up with a book, the dog alternately up in my lap or on the floor....and if you think it's easy to read with a 65-lb dog in your lap, try it.  It was warm, though.
  Some time back I got into this epic by Terry Goodkind called The Sword of Truth series.  I love these other world fantasies.  It seems like the worse the life the better the hero.  Don't we all need a hero?  These books range from 350 to 1000 pages, and I'm starting the 6th of the series.  So, it's had me enthralled for some time. 
  In the process of fighting the good fight, protagonist vs. antagonist, good vs. evil, I noticed that there were a whole load of little guys getting trampled.  The evil portrayed upon the populace by the bad guy, the search for justice that just seemed to wind up causing multiple collateral damages.....and in the midst of it all is this populace that is most worried about crops, children, etc.  The standard simple fare of living.
  It made me think.  Dictators ruling their people with an iron fist still, for the most part, allow them to live and be people.  To a large extent, their lives aren't to the best they could be, but they are alive and living.  I'm often wondering if these people, these little people who are stuck in the middle of these political nightmares, would simply prefer to be left alone to make their life as best as they can?  Is riding to the rescue the best course?  If the world does nothing when faced with tyranny is the populace more victimized or less? 
  I'm not advocating any sort of pacifism, so much as wondering at the cost of activism.  When it all comes to the end, the little guy just wants to put beans on the table and feed/clothe/house/love his family and self.  And, perhaps that can be translated to almost any issue:  gay marriage is one that calls forth.  Advocates can scream and holler, but when it comes to the end, people just want to live, love, and have a family.  Where do these power mongers get off deciding other's lives for them?  In a land of the "free", why is it even tolerated? 
  I say, sit down, shut up, and mind your own business.  We'd do much better, I think, in the end.