the media's war for truth

Coverage of the War in Iraq, in a sense, parallels that of the Vietnam War. News coverage of wars changed drastically during Vietnam. Because of technology, citizens were getting faster and more in depth coverage. Journalists were on the front lines, reporting back with vivid images of the fighting that took place. For the first time, U.S. citizens were able to stay on top of the military’s actions.

Today, journalists are able to report from Iraq in “real time.” During the first war in Iraq, a CNN crew broadcasted live as bombs were falling in Baghdad. In the current Iraq war, journalists accompany military brigades and often right in on the action. This new access has led to more accurate and informative reporting.

The morph of press bias and sentiment of the Iraq war also parallels the Vietnam War. In the beginning years of the war, journalists were supportive of U.S. efforts and worked peacefully alongside the government. However, as the war continued to drone on, journalists became weary, skeptical and often attached to soldiers or civilians in the areas they were covering.
Soon, journalists were making bold efforts to report the losses of the military. They were no longer painting the war in a positive light.

Likewise, current journalists in the past two or three years have begun reflect their doubts and cynicisms. Often the press has been accused of being anti-Bush. While those accusations are probably true, journalists are simply reporting what they observe from the front lines. As we’ve just passed the 5th year anniversary of the war, journalists continue to pose the question of when an end will come. With U.S. war casualties (4,000) now far surpassing deaths from 9/11, many citizens and journalists alike are very skeptical.

I, personally, hold a lot of respect for the journalists in Iraq. After reading some of their personal stories, I cannot image the toll covering the war has taken on them. They are constantly exposed to violence and danger. They have put themselves in the line of battle in order to inform the U.S. public of what is going on. Like the brave men and women of our military, they are risking their lives for their country. However, in a sense, I have more respect for the journalists because of their dedication to provide the truth in a war campaign that has been filled with lies and deceit. So I commend them for their sacrifices.

The War in Iraq has been a long journey and will continue on far beyond Bush’s presidency. As technology continues to improve and journalists become even more frustrated with what they are witnessing on the battle lines, it will be interesting to see what the role of the media in this war eventually becomes.

yes we can

may this leave you inspired. whether you're an obama fan or not, be encouraged:

there is hope for change.

and you, africa?

Last night, along with millions of other Americans, we attended an elaborate Christmas Eve church service in a multi-million dollar building. There were enough candles to light a village. And for those that didn't want to leave the house, you could even watch it online. Church online. How brilliant.

Africa, how do you celebrate Christ's birth?

On Christmas morning, we complain about the eager children's early rising. And then we unwrap our gifts. Gadgets, clothes, books, movies, vacations, money. Some get what they wanted, some what they needed. After throwing away potentially recyclable wrapping paper, we eat. We eat lots and lots. And we play with our new toys.

Africa, what does your Christmas look like?

The day after Christmas, we rush to the stores to return the gifts we didn't like and rummage through sales to buy whatever we didn't get. There's pushing and crowds and lines and unhappy people. They picked up that sweater for $9.99 first. The rat race has continued.

And you, Africa?

dance africa dance

Africa is a child who is overshadowed by the athletic talents of an older brother and the book smarts of his sister. Yet the family has failed to notice Africa’s ability to dance. This continent stands in the shadows, anxiously waiting for the world to see its potential. When the athletic brother is no longer able to compete and the sister’s mind begins to digress, Africa will still be dancing. But let’s hope she’s noticed before then.

smells of yesterday

Today still smells of yesterday
To remind us
Our hands hold power
To execute evil atrocities
To suggest subtle harm
To craft calloused wounds

Tomorrow hopes on the smells of yesterday
To remind us
Our hands bear promise
To restore rightful dignity
To embrace equal peace
To create colorful love

And maybe one day, we will be a sweet fragrance.
[2 Corinthians 2:14-15]

do good

social justice: ideal; a work of virtue aimed at the good of humanity as a whole, which unites people of all beliefs and political principles

the breaking of agreed rules that constitute fairness; tragedy :social injustice

“When I feed the poor, they call me a saint;
when I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist,”
Brazilian Catholic Archbishop Hélder Câmara

"Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."
Isaiah 1:17

What is your ideal for greater humanity? What tragedy moves you to action?

unity through justice

These days there is always a fundraiser for this or a protest against that. We are bombarded to join a “cause.” And Generation Y, especially, is at the forefront of such efforts.

Christian students are traveling to Africa to share their faith. College graduates are committing two years to the Peace Corps to teach about HIV/AIDS in Asia. Young business owners are donating their profits to build houses in Mexico. Filmmakers are producing movies that unveil global tragedies.

Celebrities like Bono and Angelina Jolie have used their fame to raise awareness for global poverty, orphans and the AIDS epidemic. Companies like Apple and Sprint have created products that directly benefit different social causes. Thousands of Americans rallied behind the victims of natural disasters by donating money, time and other resources.

All of this is done in the name of “social justice.”

A Sicilian priest, Luigi Taparelli d’Azeglio, first coined the term “social justice” in 1840. He used this term as an appeal to the industry leaders to meet the needs of the urban workers that had been adversely affected by the Industrial Revolution.

In modern thought, social justice is a work of virtue that is aimed at the good of humanity as a whole. Conversely, social injustice is the breaking of agreed rules that constitute fairness.

Author, philosopher and Director of Social and Political Studies at the American Enterprise Institute Michael Novak dissects the meaning of social justice in his essay, “Defining Social Justice.”

“The skills it requires are those of inspiring, working with, and organizing others to accomplish together a work of justice. It aims at good of the city, not the good of one agent only,” Novak says.

If such is true, social justice is open to all kinds of ideals- liberal, conservative and moderate. Instead of dividing, it unites people in a quest for common good, regardless of differences.

“The virtue of social justice allows for people of goodwill to reach different, even opposing, practical judgments about the material content of the common good (ends) and how to get there (means),” Novak says. “Such differences are the stuff of politics.”

So where did we go wrong? Why do we still allow the fight for humans rights to be divided between blue and red? If humanity cannot unite for the sake of each other's rights then we're a lost cause.

published in magazine "Generation WHY"