Showing posts with label NPR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NPR. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thoughts on Iran
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I know very little about the Iran situation, mostly because I'm not informed about international politics, and because the presidential election and ensuing protests happened while I was out of town last week. But all across the Twitter-sphere is the campaign to support freedom in Iran. On the one hand, I think there is a sort of beauty when I see so many avatars with a green overlay, and the support and concern for Iran is powerful.
But I'm not entirely sure I understand phrases like "Free Iran." What type of freedom are we calling for? I would guess that we conceive of an American-like, democratic freedom. But that is not the middle East and that is not Iran's political set up. We can't just throw around words like "freedom" without understanding the implications.
The video below touches upon the important aspects: First, the entire situation is dramatically compelling and heart wrenching. I believe that the images and footage of Neda will rightly be remembered forever, and perhaps may become a symbol for a turning of politics in Iran. However, the support from people across the internet - while it is well-intentioned and touching in its own way - is simple, requires little effort and certainly no sacrifice, let alone any type of informed decision or procession of the complexities of the situation. What good does it do for me to change my profile pic to green when I have nothing to do with the situation, and in fact I may be conceiving of "changes" "freedoms" and "rights" that would do more harm than good in Iran. As the news report conclude, Neda is an example of the sacrifice that Iranians may have to make - not Americans.
Many American condemn the Iraq war, arguing that we have no right to meddle in the affairs of the Middle East. So why are we eager to push our conceptions of freedom upon Iran during their election? Again, I find the the support beautiful in a way, but it also confuses me. Six years and counting in Iraq should give us some insight into the complexities of Middle East politics, or at least remind us that it is not as simple as overthrowing the unpopular leader du jour.
I agree with President Obama's stance in which he condemns the violence and the stifling of free speech and political rallies. He states that "the United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days." The President is correct that it is always a tragedy when life is lost and that free speech is a freedom that should be protected around the world.
However, I also agree with his restraint and decision to not more openly support the protests in Tehran, despite criticism from other politicians. I think his words here are very wise: "The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States," Obama replied. "That's what they do. That's what we're already seeing. We shouldn't be playing into that." In contrast, the words of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) seem driven more by politics and childish games than wisdom. He said "[The President has] been timid and passive more than I would like. There is a monumental event going on in Iran, and, you know, the president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it."
Americans have to learn how to carefully balance support, concern, and grief for tragedies around the world, with an equal temperance and understanding that the governments and politics of other countries are not the same as ours. There are other ways to experience freedom beyond the American version of democracy, and for us to simply push phrases like "Freedom in Iran" seems, to me, ignorant and almost insulting, since we would not be the ones to pay the price and do the work to achieve such a freedom.
But I'm not entirely sure I understand phrases like "Free Iran." What type of freedom are we calling for? I would guess that we conceive of an American-like, democratic freedom. But that is not the middle East and that is not Iran's political set up. We can't just throw around words like "freedom" without understanding the implications.
The video below touches upon the important aspects: First, the entire situation is dramatically compelling and heart wrenching. I believe that the images and footage of Neda will rightly be remembered forever, and perhaps may become a symbol for a turning of politics in Iran. However, the support from people across the internet - while it is well-intentioned and touching in its own way - is simple, requires little effort and certainly no sacrifice, let alone any type of informed decision or procession of the complexities of the situation. What good does it do for me to change my profile pic to green when I have nothing to do with the situation, and in fact I may be conceiving of "changes" "freedoms" and "rights" that would do more harm than good in Iran. As the news report conclude, Neda is an example of the sacrifice that Iranians may have to make - not Americans.
Many American condemn the Iraq war, arguing that we have no right to meddle in the affairs of the Middle East. So why are we eager to push our conceptions of freedom upon Iran during their election? Again, I find the the support beautiful in a way, but it also confuses me. Six years and counting in Iraq should give us some insight into the complexities of Middle East politics, or at least remind us that it is not as simple as overthrowing the unpopular leader du jour.
I agree with President Obama's stance in which he condemns the violence and the stifling of free speech and political rallies. He states that "the United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days." The President is correct that it is always a tragedy when life is lost and that free speech is a freedom that should be protected around the world.
However, I also agree with his restraint and decision to not more openly support the protests in Tehran, despite criticism from other politicians. I think his words here are very wise: "The last thing that I want to do is to have the United States be a foil for those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States," Obama replied. "That's what they do. That's what we're already seeing. We shouldn't be playing into that." In contrast, the words of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) seem driven more by politics and childish games than wisdom. He said "[The President has] been timid and passive more than I would like. There is a monumental event going on in Iran, and, you know, the president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it."
Americans have to learn how to carefully balance support, concern, and grief for tragedies around the world, with an equal temperance and understanding that the governments and politics of other countries are not the same as ours. There are other ways to experience freedom beyond the American version of democracy, and for us to simply push phrases like "Freedom in Iran" seems, to me, ignorant and almost insulting, since we would not be the ones to pay the price and do the work to achieve such a freedom.
Friday, February 6, 2009
My new favorite website....
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...Michele Norris Facts
We are all familiar with the funny-the-first-time-but-"oh God please make it stop"-annoying-Chuck Norris Facts.
And now we have "the anti-Chuck" - NPR's Michele Norris. She's a woman; she's black' she's on radio, not TV (most of the time); she's liberal. Not an official webpage, but so funny. Here's a sampling:
We are all familiar with the funny-the-first-time-but-"oh God please make it stop"-annoying-Chuck Norris Facts.
And now we have "the anti-Chuck" - NPR's Michele Norris. She's a woman; she's black' she's on radio, not TV (most of the time); she's liberal. Not an official webpage, but so funny. Here's a sampling:
Michele Norris Fact #20
February 3rd, 2009
until NPR realized that Michele Norris could not be contained by this
galaxy let alone one medium-sized nation on planet Earth.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
More Porn...
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Oddly enough, as I was listening to a podcast of Fresh Air yesterday in which the discussion was robots in war. Briefly, the writer being interviewed mentioned "war porn," and the idea he was talking about is very similar to my previous post on "poverty porn" - both of which I don't think are actual terms (at least they aren't on wikipedia yet). Here are some of the statements P. W. Singer made during the interview in regards to robots, the Iraq war, and "war porn":
So as I was waiting for Kellye to get out of her graduate class, I walked into the bathroom of the library, thinking about this whole "porn/detachment" idea. First, I wondered if the connection to the word "porn" was really appropriate - the word comes from "porne" (prostitute) and "graphe" (to write), and basically means printed forms of sexual pleasure. However, the final line in my little widget dictionary seemed to fit:
- Stay tuned for a post on "mission porn" -
Oddly enough, as I was listening to a podcast of Fresh Air yesterday in which the discussion was robots in war. Briefly, the writer being interviewed mentioned "war porn," and the idea he was talking about is very similar to my previous post on "poverty porn" - both of which I don't think are actual terms (at least they aren't on wikipedia yet). Here are some of the statements P. W. Singer made during the interview in regards to robots, the Iraq war, and "war porn":
"I call it "YouTube War" because it is the first war you can watch but you don't have to be there. The robots see all, so we are taking clips, watching from afar. There are some 7,000 clips of the Iraq war, and soldiers call it "war porn." They aren't only being watching, but emailed and passed around. The worry is that it connects people to war but it actually widens the gap, it creates a further distance, they watch war but they experience less."The last statement is what really strikes me - that we are more and more "connected" but we are experiencing less and less. The causes could be traced to any number of trends in the "digital age" - television as a dominant medium of communication; internet and YouTube; and even more basically the impact consumerism has to fundamentally separate the consumer from the product. We enjoy the benefits, without experiencing or realizing the cost in any real way. The efforts and the energies necessary to produce the products we consume are completely covered when all we see is a small price tag - and in the same way, the real human sacrifice, the suffering, the emotions and the feelings are wiped away when we experience war through the a robotic lens.
So as I was waiting for Kellye to get out of her graduate class, I walked into the bathroom of the library, thinking about this whole "porn/detachment" idea. First, I wondered if the connection to the word "porn" was really appropriate - the word comes from "porne" (prostitute) and "graphe" (to write), and basically means printed forms of sexual pleasure. However, the final line in my little widget dictionary seemed to fit:
intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelingsAnd that's what happens when we begin to view human life as entertainment - we are detached, and we lose the aesthetic and the emotions. We want to be stimulated. We want to be entertained - no matter what the cost.
- Stay tuned for a post on "mission porn" -
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New...
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...shoes - TOMS. If you haven't seen this, they come in really fun styles, and are a great idea to help kids around the world, and great example of 21st cent., independent and creative businesses. Jon got me this pair for xmas -
...music - MAE is trying to do something really cool w/ their music. It's not quite streamlined enough for me, and I haven't been as into their newer songs, but the idea of paying what you want for music, direct from the artist, and then artists connecting their music to important causes is really cool.
...more music - NPR has a list of 10 great unknowns from 2008. Easy to listen to the full tracks and see if you like the tunes.
...shoes - TOMS. If you haven't seen this, they come in really fun styles, and are a great idea to help kids around the world, and great example of 21st cent., independent and creative businesses. Jon got me this pair for xmas -
...more music - NPR has a list of 10 great unknowns from 2008. Easy to listen to the full tracks and see if you like the tunes.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A lament from my American prison
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Our older vehicle finally bit the dust, and so I've spent almost all of the past two days searching for a replacement car - online, in the newspaper, on the streets, on car lots, on the phone with friends, parents, mechanics and informants - always looking for a good deal on a good car.
Meanwhile....Israeli Gaza Bombing Continues; Deaths Near 350. Brian McLaren posted an article from a journalist friend living in what she calls "the largest prison in the world" (Gaza). She also writes,
What else can I do but shop for a car? I work only 3 miles from home, but I have to cross a freeway and several major intersections to get there, with no public transportation nearby. I don't live in a hip metropolis and I don't have a job that offers the time, the financial padding, let alone the political initiative to even care about global crises like Gaza. My car breaks down - I have to buy a new one - even though I would rather be helping all of the people around the world who are in need, all I can do is read the blip in the paper, shed a proverbial tear, and then return to my self-serving, American consumerism lifestyle, essentially ignoring, and continuing to imprison and injure the rest of the hurting world.
So I sit in my wide open, free, excruciatingly suffocating American prison - the life that I don't know how to escape and don't think I will ever be able to. And I look out the window of my 17-inch computer screen at a world that is bright, alive, and thriving with life (and death) and calling for me to come and be a part - but I can't get out. I've been in the darkness of this cell for so long I don't even know which way the door is.
While walking through my safe, side-walked, suburban neighborhood with my overly hyper husky, I was thinking about one of my favorite short stories from Kurt Vonnegut, Harrison Bergeron. You'll have to read the whole story to really get the profound impact of the final paragraphs, but the story ends this way:
Our older vehicle finally bit the dust, and so I've spent almost all of the past two days searching for a replacement car - online, in the newspaper, on the streets, on car lots, on the phone with friends, parents, mechanics and informants - always looking for a good deal on a good car.Meanwhile....Israeli Gaza Bombing Continues; Deaths Near 350. Brian McLaren posted an article from a journalist friend living in what she calls "the largest prison in the world" (Gaza). She also writes,
"Please, please, stop what you're doing and go out on the streets in protest. Write to your newspapers. Especially those of you in the US. Today everyone I talked to told me the US streets are silent...the US is doing nothing...But please, do not continue as usual. 1.5 million people who have been under siege in the largest prison in the world for months, even years now, are now being bombed indiscriminately. We have ignored Gaza for too long. Every day, every hour, every minute counts."I've seen the headlines, and I'm immediately frustrated by the (lack of) response by the U.S. government, I'm saddened for the loss of life, I pray for the people who are suffering, and I wish I could do more to help. But after another day spent on car lots and thinking about how best to spend my dollars on a second car to park in my garage, I felt imprisoned in this American lifestyle.
What else can I do but shop for a car? I work only 3 miles from home, but I have to cross a freeway and several major intersections to get there, with no public transportation nearby. I don't live in a hip metropolis and I don't have a job that offers the time, the financial padding, let alone the political initiative to even care about global crises like Gaza. My car breaks down - I have to buy a new one - even though I would rather be helping all of the people around the world who are in need, all I can do is read the blip in the paper, shed a proverbial tear, and then return to my self-serving, American consumerism lifestyle, essentially ignoring, and continuing to imprison and injure the rest of the hurting world.
So I sit in my wide open, free, excruciatingly suffocating American prison - the life that I don't know how to escape and don't think I will ever be able to. And I look out the window of my 17-inch computer screen at a world that is bright, alive, and thriving with life (and death) and calling for me to come and be a part - but I can't get out. I've been in the darkness of this cell for so long I don't even know which way the door is.
While walking through my safe, side-walked, suburban neighborhood with my overly hyper husky, I was thinking about one of my favorite short stories from Kurt Vonnegut, Harrison Bergeron. You'll have to read the whole story to really get the profound impact of the final paragraphs, but the story ends this way:
George came back in with the beer, paused while a handicap signal shook him up. And then he sat down again. “You been crying?” he said to Hazel.
"Yup," she said.
“What about?” he said.
“I forget,” she said. “Something real sad on television.”
“What was it?” he said.
“It’s all kind of mixed up in my mind,” said Hazel.
“Forget sad things,” said George.
“I always do,” said Hazel.
“That’s my girl,” said George. He winced. There was the sound of a riveting gun in his head.
“Gee – I could tell that one was a doozy,” said Hazel.
“You can say that again,” said George.
“Gee –” said Hazel, “I could tell that one was a doozy.”
---------
Now playing: The National - Start A War
Friday, November 14, 2008
The power of the swing voter
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Interesting statistics regarding US counties that "flipped" this past election: 372 counties flipped, almost half were in the Midwest, and the majority went from Republican to Democrat. Obviously there are many reasons for why an area changes its political color, but this made me think about something Don Miller said back when he visited Ohio Wesleyan.
Don talked about how the swing voter is the person who holds the most power in our system of elections. The candidates spend millions of dollars trying to figure out what swing voters want, how to win their vote, developing programs and initiatives that appeal to swing voters. In contrast, those voters that align themselves with one party for life essentially "put themselves in the pocket of the <insert political party here>." The result is that the party no longer has to work to please these staunchly committed voters, and the party can easily stray from the ideals it once espoused in order to gain the voters in the first place. IMHO, this describes the current Republican party (although I'm no poli-sci major).
That is why I "swung" to Democrat. I felt that they were working harder for my vote, doing more to assure me that the things that were important to me and most Americans really would happen in Washington. And I have no problem "swinging" to another party in the future. Thus is the power of a democrat, multiple-party, political system.
Don talked about how the swing voter is the person who holds the most power in our system of elections. The candidates spend millions of dollars trying to figure out what swing voters want, how to win their vote, developing programs and initiatives that appeal to swing voters. In contrast, those voters that align themselves with one party for life essentially "put themselves in the pocket of the <insert political party here>." The result is that the party no longer has to work to please these staunchly committed voters, and the party can easily stray from the ideals it once espoused in order to gain the voters in the first place. IMHO, this describes the current Republican party (although I'm no poli-sci major).
That is why I "swung" to Democrat. I felt that they were working harder for my vote, doing more to assure me that the things that were important to me and most Americans really would happen in Washington. And I have no problem "swinging" to another party in the future. Thus is the power of a democrat, multiple-party, political system.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Assortment of Election Reflections
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btw - sweet art on the right brought to you by the very talented katie vernon - check her out here
btw - sweet art on the right brought to you by the very talented katie vernon - check her out hereDon Miller, with full transcript of acceptance speech
Yesterday, I thought a lot about the beauty of our voting system, and this message from President Bush is a good example of why voting in America is such a privilege.
Good thoughts from Emergent Nazarenes
Is there some intentional irony in this?
The terribly funky CNN hologram
I wish more evangelicals had attitudes like these...
Interesting summary of ballot initiatives, and here on gay marriage
A prayer (and prayer/comments) for President-Elect Barack Obama
Sojourners thoughtful and challenging response to the election outcome
I just saw this video today, but it's pretty awesome (same video below)
Yesterday, I thought a lot about the beauty of our voting system, and this message from President Bush is a good example of why voting in America is such a privilege.
Good thoughts from Emergent Nazarenes
Is there some intentional irony in this?
The terribly funky CNN hologram
I wish more evangelicals had attitudes like these...
Interesting summary of ballot initiatives, and here on gay marriage
A prayer (and prayer/comments) for President-Elect Barack Obama
Sojourners thoughtful and challenging response to the election outcome
I just saw this video today, but it's pretty awesome (same video below)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
"Yes We Did"
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Voting Pro-Life...Voting Democrat
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Read (or listen) this NPR article about the Catholic vote and abortion.
Obviously abortion is at the top of the list of important issues for evangelical voters as well, but like some of the Catholics mentioned in this article, my opinion (and vote) in the matter has swayed in the last few months. I would agree with Douglas Kmiec, who was quoted as saying:
Obviously abortion is at the top of the list of important issues for evangelical voters as well, but like some of the Catholics mentioned in this article, my opinion (and vote) in the matter has swayed in the last few months. I would agree with Douglas Kmiec, who was quoted as saying:
"We are not baby killers," Kmiec said. "We are simply finding analternative way to build up life, to honor the truth of the humanperson, to promote human good."
He also told the students thatObama's policies would reduce the number of abortions more thanMcCain's would. Kmiec says the position goes beyond abortion — itincludes health care, living wages, caring for the poor.
The article also presents information regarding the implications of a possible overturn of Roe v. Wade, stating that abortion would still be allowed in 30 states.
I first began to reconsider my position when I heard of the 95/10 initiative which is a comprehensive plan put forth by the Democratic party, aiming to reduce the number of abortions by 95% in the next 10 years. The plan covers such issues as promoting abstinence and contraceptives, support for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies, and child health care. As I read about this plan, I realized that even though I voted Republican in the first two presidential elections that I could ('00, '04) in large part because G.W. Bush spoke so strongly against abortion, very little has been done by the Republican party (even with a majority in Congress) to decrease the number of abortions in the United States. My hope is that this plan will be adopted and implemented, and more work will be done at a federal, state and local level to go beyond the pro-life rhetoric and actually do something to decrease the number of abortions and increase the quality of life for those dealing with the challenges of unexpected/unwanted pregnancies - and the young lives that courageously brought into this world.
See also Pro Life Pro Obama
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Courting Evangelicals
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NPR had two reports on the "evangelical vote" this past week, Thurs. & Fri. Find them here and here. If you didn't catch them on the radio and you are an evangelical voter, take a listen - they are very interesting. Some thoughts I had:
After listening to the report on John McCain, I was really frustrated for a few reasons.
1) I felt like my vote was just an object to be won over. The phrase "courting evangelicals" feels so offensive to me. I get the very strong impression that McCain and other Republicans figure out what they need to say, how to say, and when and who to say it to so that evangelical Christians will vote for him. It feels a lot like a horny teenager telling his girlfriend she is the prettiest girl in school so she'll sleep with him - then he breaks up with her. This is how I feel about G.W.Bush right now. He said all the right stuff to get me to vote for him - pro-life, pro-family, finish the war, protect embryonic stem cells, go Jesus! And then his administration is so very un-Christ-like it makes my stomach churn.
2) How can evangelicals be so dumb? The McCain report was laughable in uncovering his two-sidedness. Direct quotes from 8 years ago in his campaign against Bush in which McCain was unwilling to "pander to the outer reaches" of religious extremism - and he mentions Jerry Falwell by name! Quotes from James Dobson saying he would "never" vote for McCain - the evangelical attitude toward McCain was that he did not hold the same values at all. And then one appearance in a church with Rick Warren where McCain states "Life begins at conception" (whatever the hell that means for legislation or actually providing social programs to care for young mothers? uh.....???) Then McCain chooses Sarah Palin for his running mate, and she is staunchly pro-life, and so all the evangelicals are back on board. Now the conservative Christians are confident that McCain is the right man to run the country. How did we so easily forget what he said 8 years ago? This is why I feel insulted, embarrassed and ashamed to even be slightly connected to the evangelical camp (when it comes to politics especially).
Regarding the Obama report - I didn't actually hear it in the car, where I usually listen to NPR and have more time to think and reflect, so I don't have as much to say. Except that I get the sense that Obama's faith is much more genuine. I know that is a judgment call I can't really make, but when he says, "My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work," it sounds like the man is speaking with conviction about what he believes, not just what he thinks will get him the vote. I appreciate that he was willing to speak honestly to Rick Warren and answer the same question about when life begins by admitting it's a tough question.
Overall, the reason I appreciate (and have already voted for) Obama over McCain is that I don't feel like he is insulting my intelligence or my faith, but rather he is someone who genuinely holds to the same worldview that I do.
Of course, he could just be a better politician than McCain.
NPR had two reports on the "evangelical vote" this past week, Thurs. & Fri. Find them here and here. If you didn't catch them on the radio and you are an evangelical voter, take a listen - they are very interesting. Some thoughts I had:After listening to the report on John McCain, I was really frustrated for a few reasons.
1) I felt like my vote was just an object to be won over. The phrase "courting evangelicals" feels so offensive to me. I get the very strong impression that McCain and other Republicans figure out what they need to say, how to say, and when and who to say it to so that evangelical Christians will vote for him. It feels a lot like a horny teenager telling his girlfriend she is the prettiest girl in school so she'll sleep with him - then he breaks up with her. This is how I feel about G.W.Bush right now. He said all the right stuff to get me to vote for him - pro-life, pro-family, finish the war, protect embryonic stem cells, go Jesus! And then his administration is so very un-Christ-like it makes my stomach churn.
2) How can evangelicals be so dumb? The McCain report was laughable in uncovering his two-sidedness. Direct quotes from 8 years ago in his campaign against Bush in which McCain was unwilling to "pander to the outer reaches" of religious extremism - and he mentions Jerry Falwell by name! Quotes from James Dobson saying he would "never" vote for McCain - the evangelical attitude toward McCain was that he did not hold the same values at all. And then one appearance in a church with Rick Warren where McCain states "Life begins at conception" (whatever the hell that means for legislation or actually providing social programs to care for young mothers? uh.....???) Then McCain chooses Sarah Palin for his running mate, and she is staunchly pro-life, and so all the evangelicals are back on board. Now the conservative Christians are confident that McCain is the right man to run the country. How did we so easily forget what he said 8 years ago? This is why I feel insulted, embarrassed and ashamed to even be slightly connected to the evangelical camp (when it comes to politics especially).
Regarding the Obama report - I didn't actually hear it in the car, where I usually listen to NPR and have more time to think and reflect, so I don't have as much to say. Except that I get the sense that Obama's faith is much more genuine. I know that is a judgment call I can't really make, but when he says, "My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's work," it sounds like the man is speaking with conviction about what he believes, not just what he thinks will get him the vote. I appreciate that he was willing to speak honestly to Rick Warren and answer the same question about when life begins by admitting it's a tough question.
Overall, the reason I appreciate (and have already voted for) Obama over McCain is that I don't feel like he is insulting my intelligence or my faith, but rather he is someone who genuinely holds to the same worldview that I do.
Of course, he could just be a better politician than McCain.
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