Sound Off!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Commentary: Is Tweeting Now a Felony Under Federal Law?

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Discussing the ever encroaching levels of control exerted over our lives by corporations, technology, surveillance, media, government, is like discussing the fast approaching train while we are standing on the tracks.

This trend is not going to stop or reverse. We can not reform this system, we have to protect ourselves accordingly.

S. Martin

Monday, November 09, 2009

Commentary: Mr. President, You Need to Represent All Americans—Not Just the Democrats

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It has become obvious that the democrat and republican parties no longer represent "the people". Until we the people can get people who will represent us, the T.C. & the C.F.R. will continue to run this nation.

--Gordon S.

Mr. Whitehead...

I'm not sure you're aware of it or not but George Bush pretty much walled himself inside the WH while he was in office. To me, it is the President and his family's residence while he's in office but it is also the People's House as well.

Some of us out here are damned glad President Obama is opening things up more rather than keeping us in the dark about just who is visiting the WH.

As for this date in NY with his wife, he can't just drive up for the evening like you and I can. He was fulfilling a campaign promise to her that night and so he was keeping his word.

While he is the President, he is also a husband and a father and he treats his wife with a pretty fair amount of respect, at least in my book. He seems to be marvelous with his daughters as well. I say, whatever it takes for him to maintain his equilibrium while he ponders decisions that most of us would never tackle voluntarily is OK by me.

--Joe J.

Candidate Obama was not allowed to speak at the Brandenburg Gate. He was told that only heads of states were to speak there. Now that the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is at hand, President Obama was invited to speak. Despite the fact that he found the time to lobby the Olympic Committee on behalf of Chicago, he could not find the time to do so. Is there a bit of childish pique in this decision?

--Eldon S.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Why Your Representatives Should Make You Mad as Hell

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To John W. Whitehead:

Your Commentary article in the Crossville Chronicle on Nov. 3 was right on.

Please keep up the good work and keep the sensible articles coming.

Dee R .

Monday, October 26, 2009

Commentary: Why Aren't Schools Teaching Our Children Their Rights and Freedoms?

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You are so right.

Question.....how would President Obama know anything about the public school system in any Country?

Skip D.

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

How wonderful it was to read your article in today's Daily Progress. I hope your words are taken into consideration by those who can do something about this dreadful problem. Recently I was amazed that someone was trying to get pictures of the current president into all classrooms. In my day, it was the first president's picture, and yes, we knew why it was there.

I think it is a great idea to have passing the U.S. Citizenship test as a prerequisite for high school graduation, not to mention voting registration. There is far too much criticism of the immigrants who know why they wanted to come here and work to achieve their goals. My people came on The Mayflower, and I hope I have lived up to their expectations.

Sincerely supportive,

Elizabeth G.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Commentary: Can You Really Get the 'News' from Watching TV?

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I'm so GLAD you took up the issue of the major news broadcasts, include the new "shows" as well. Perfect, Awesome! Now that you've told us that we can't take all this except with grains of salt, where can one get news these days. I mean, I'm getting the idea you can't trust anything, so what smattering of sources could provide daily or weekly news by which we could be informed?

Oh, and here's another biggee with me. I get these email action alerts asking me to immediately respond to my congressperson on a vital issue and NOW. But I never do that without reading the text for myself, a hard thing to do, and sometimes they are more alarmed than the text warrants. I understand that people CAN and WILL manipulate a bill to their ends, but sometimes they act as if it forces it, when it does not. And so it causes me problems.

So, after telling us where we might look for better news, how about tackling being drones for political and religious organizations, well meaning as they are. I can't tell you how many times I check on Snopes for a myth from religious and family places and come up with a hoax on some things.

Boy I sure appreciate you taking these things on!

Bill N.

Dear Mr. Whitehead,

I thoroughly enjoy your insightful articles and thought to respond to Monday's article, "Is TV news enough?"

In regard to the current oligarchy known as mainstream media, I thougtht how nice it would be to have a free, competitive press. For one, how much would public opinion have swayed had there been honest, probing investigations into the practices of the Bush administration? And these truths were presented where they truly belong: the top story and headlines. I can only imagine what it would be like if mainstream media allowed prime time voices like yourself. Free press has dissolved in America. Without it a most vital check and balance has been eliminated. Maybe that is why our founding fathers made it the First Article in the Bill of Rights. And why corporate media has eliminated it.

I notice you are a movie buff. Please re-visit Network. It provides a prophetic depiction of the current state of mainstream media. It appears to be the blue print in fact.

My question to you is: How do we de-monopolize the current mainstream media configuration?

Perhaps you will address this matter in a future article.

Best to You,
Roland K.

Aloha to all,

As usual, cutting edge thinking from John. Could you please share these source materials? I have been engaged in much study with the folks at Foundation and they are on track--course it is the "swimming upstream track," same one John is on!

http://www.criticalthinking.org/ This is the website!

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=167&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 This is the "mini guide" "How to detect media bias and propaganda"

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=159&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 Another guide on "Fallacies..."

http://www.criticalthinking.org/store-page.cfm?P=products&itemID=268&cateID=132&subcatID=0&catalogID=224 And another on Educational Fads

I teach various Science courses Hilo High School on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Keep up the great work!

Malama Pono,
Mike

The answer is a big no. So may I take this opportuniry to say thank you and god bless all of you !

Gordon