There is a disconcerting trend in the modern media which holds that all opinions are equally valid, and that it is not appropriate for ostensibly unbiased journalists to declare which opinions are right, and which are wrong . . .

Calling bullshit "bullshit" is not bias. It is journalism.

I have taken the "all opinions are equally valid" approach in the past and found it lacking--many opinions are uninformed, and some opinions are, well, stupid. (Including mine sometimes.) I like it when knowledgeable people in general, not just journalists, make clear where they stand. I respect them for being up front instead of falling into held-back, never-offend-anyone wishy-washiness. So I'm trying to be more direct like that, and John's encouraging me.

[via What Do I Know]


12:16:18 PM |  See also media opinions bias journalism   

In order for us human beings to commit ourselves personally to the inhumanity of war, we find it necessary first to dehumanize our opponents, which is in itself a violation of the beliefs of all religions . . .

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.

The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices. God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes--and we must.