The Stories Not Told

We tune in to nightly and twenty-four hour news programs to get caught up on the events and political agendas of the day. We hear stories about politics and predominantly the events that threaten us as a nation and as individuals. But do we hear the true stories? The answer to that is we hear what they want us to hear. The news is aimed at us, scripted if you will, to influence our opinions and feelings on topics. There is a lot on the news about homeland security and terrorism. Everyday we hear stories about how certain countries and groups are a threat to our way of life. But are these cultures that usually are half way around the world with little resources really a threat to us? If you listen to the government authorities and the news media, then the answer is yes. If you listen to logic, then the answer is no. How many terrorists attacks did Iraq before the American occupation launch on America? None. There have been cases where American military bases on foreign soil have been attacked by terrorist organizations. As a former member of the military, I do not condone such actions. But I think we need to use our resources for the best interest of the American people, not American corporations. We have spent over $800 billion in the occupation of Iraq. There are approximately 320 million Americans. If we redistributed that money to causes within our own country, that would be a total of $2.5 billion dollars for each citizen in America. Imagine the great things that could do for our country and our lives if that money was kept at home. If the government was serious about homeland security, we would stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our country. I am not necessarily for closing the border to all individuals. We are a country of opportunity. But if the government can not stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the country, then how can they say that they are honestly fighting the battle of terrorism on our own land. We hear about the things that the media want us to hear, but we don't hear about the important things. They talk about the corporations being in financial trouble, but very little on the actual people who are suffering. They talk of the kids living in poverty in foreign countries. What about the kids in America in every state who go to bed without food and no home for a bed? Will there ever be a time when our news providers start to focus on the real truth and the real issues? The only way this will happen is if the people who report the news changes their philosophy on what is important. This will not happen as long as major corporations own and control our news sources. They will only continue to write stories that promotes their agenda. The only way to find the truth is for us as individuals and future communication students to establish independent and alternative news sources where the truth can be told without an agenda of money and power. The stories not told will remain hidden until someone takes the risk and tells them. TJB