Wednesday, April 09, 2003

The Glass Teat

I guess I didn’t realize how little I take part in the so-called “mainstream” of American life until recently. I don’t watch TV much - never have, maybe a couple hours a week and almost never the broadcast networks, mostly educational stuff. I’m not sure whether it’s the cause or effect of that that I’ve never bought into the soulless void that passes for “American culture”. I’ve never believed in the unspoken mantra of existence in this country - “Eat, Work, Consume, Die”.

Unplug from the boob tube, that stuff will just rot your brain anyway. Sitcoms, game shows, so-called “reality” shows, unquestioning parroting of approved government sources. The level of propaganda on the cable news channels has been appalling, to the point that I call it “war pornography”. Step away from the TV and take a deep breath…

There, doesn’t that feel better now?
Want to exercise those newly invigorated brain cells?

Go check out some independent news sources.
My favorite is Indymedia.
Reporting by the people, for the people.
Not filtered though official censors or responding to corporate anything.
No advertising.
Everybody’s own version of their truth, for themselves and anyone else who cares to read it.
Passionate reporting, by those who experience it first hand.

Yeah, the “signal-to-noise ratio” can be a little low at times, but when things are hoppin’ around town, they’ll have up-to-the-minute updates and upcoming stuff there for you. Our local site for Portland is at portland.indymedia.org. You’ll notice that I find some of the stuff you see on this site there. That’s OK, they use some of my stuff as well. Share and share alike, that’s what that “copyleft” thing is about…

Go to some of the European news sites like the Guardian in England. Get some other views of what’s happening. Many sources are brought together at informationclearinghouse, which is a good jumping-off place for “news you won’t find on CNN and Fox”, the corporate media are little more than parrots and whores these days. You’ll see things that don’t even make it into the U.S. newspapers or TV, whether through official or self-censorship.

Listen to KBOO (90.7 FM), and while you’re at it, support them with your money and time. I’m proud to be a member and therefore part-owner.

feed your head…