'Lame Stream Media' Less Biased Than Its Users

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Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again:

The eternal years of God are hers;

But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,

And dies among its worshippers.

- William Cullen Bryant

I've been around a long time, and I've never heard so much whining about media bias. Not surprisingly, people at both ends of the political spectrum keep complaining that their candidates and their causes aren't being given fair coverage.

I get that, and human nature being what it is, we can pretty much take for granted there is enough bending of the truth to go around. Let's just assume that no reporters, editors or news organizations are ever totally free of bias.

But are there really just two kinds of news publishers, liberal and conservative? And do even likeminded media outlets regularly conspire together to present a common slant to their stories and interviews? Or in a society blessed with a free (though flawed) press, is it more reasonable to believe that news outlets, on a given day, will represent a whole range of perspectives, from one end of a continuum to another? 

I agree that large corporations have gained control of too many once locally owned and operated broadcast stations and newspapers. But that doesn't mean there aren't many professional journalists still employed by them, people who are careful to check their sources and get somewhere close to getting it right most of the time.

Even the most biased of outlets will, in their own best interests, want to avoid being too reckless with facts, especially when they have plenty of rivals all too willing to take them to task when they get it wrong. At some level they must still appeal to as many media consumers as possible, even if their motivation is to sell as much advertising as they can.

Bottom line, they know there is risk involved in spreading outright untruths. There are still plenty of competitors in the business who know that uncovering media lies and cover-ups can produce great headlines and gain tons of viewers and readers, to say nothing of the possibility of a Pulitzer prize for journalism. 

Yes, there are lots of biased reporters, editors and pundits around. We need to just get used to that, learn to draw from various news sources, and to take everything we hear or see with at least a grain of salt.

But let's not waste time blaming media bias for all the ignorance being circulated everywhere. For if truth be told, our media may be no more, or less, biased than we are.

Here's a link to six fact checking websites.

And here's one that rates three major network news outlets.

Jesus: "My Followers Recognize My Voice"

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This is a Test

See if you can recognize the voices of the following by matching the names below with their statements on the use of violence: 

a. Jesus (in his inaugural sermon)

b. The apostle Paul (in a letter to Christians in the capitol city of Rome)

c. The apostle Peter (in a letter to scattered churches in the Roman empire)

d. St. John Chrysostom (Homily XXXIII on Matthew's gospel)

e. Hillary Clinton (foreign policy speech)

f. Donald Trump (campaign speech)

g. Archbishop Desmond Tutu 

g. Barak Obama (foreign policy speech)

___ 1. "ISIS is making a tremendous amount of money because of the oil that they took away, they have some in Syria, they have some in Iraq... I would just bomb those suckers, and that's right, I'd blow up the pipes, I'd blow up the refineries, I'd blow up ever single inch, there would be nothing left."  

___ 2. "At the end of the day, we still must be prepared to go after terrorists wherever they plot, using all the tools at our disposal, that includes targeted strikes by U.S. military aircraft and drones, with proper safeguards when there are any other viable options to deal with continuing imminent threats."

____ 3. “Altering the mentality of foes is far greater and more marvelous than killing them; the apostles were only twelve, while the whole world was filled with wolves. Let us then be ashamed, who do the contrary, who like wolves assault our enemies. For as long as we are sheep, we conquer, and even though ten thousand wolves lurk around us, we overcome and prevail. But if we become wolves we are defeated, for the Shepherd will then deprive us of his help, because he feeds sheep not wolves.”

____ 4. "As I outlined in my speech to the nation last weekend, our strategy is moving forward with a great sense of urgency on four fronts -- hunting down and taking out these terrorists; training and equipping Iraqi and Syrian forces to fight ISIL on the ground; stopping ISIL's operations by disrupting their recruiting, financing and propaganda; and, finally, persistent diplomacy to end the Syrian civil war so that everyone can focus on destroying ISIL."  

____ 5. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

____ 6. "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly."

____ 7. "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, 'I will take revenge; I will pay them back,'  says the Lord. Instead, 'If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.' Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."

____ 8.  “When we see others as the enemy, we risk becoming what we hate. When we oppress others, we end up oppressing ourselves. All of our humanity is dependent upon recognizing the humanity in others."

“Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the hurt, the truth.” 

Answers: 1. Donald Trump, 2: Hillary Clinton, 3. St. John Chrystosom, 4. Barak Obama, 5. Jesus (Matthew 5:43-46), 6. the apostle Peter (I Peter2:23-25), 7. the apostle Paul (Romans12:19-21), 8. Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Guest Post: "Virginia's Prisons - No Place For Those 65 And Older"

Mr. Charles, Zellers, Sr., is on the front and left

Here's a thoughtful piece by Mr. Charles, Zellers, Sr., a Virginia inmate and a tireless advocate for those deserving geriatric release:

I've been incarcerated over 23 years and I've met some amazing elderly men. I'm 48 years old and I have two sons and one grandson, but many of my elderly friends here are greatgrandfathers or even great-greatgrandparents.

When an individual commits crimes, the first thing society wants to do is lock them up and throw away the key. Even those who once were their friend, neighbor or someone everyone in the community liked. 

Shouldn't citizens and professionals be looking at factors contributing to people's crimes? I agree for some individuals their offense is a sickness or pure evil, but not for all. Some were overly stressed by family or work issues or were on drugs or alcohol. This is not to excuse their behavior, but the criminal justice system should not classify all criminals as the same even though the law that was broken was the same. Each case and sentence should be looked at on an individual basis.

I personally know 38 older men here and many others I've met throughout the past 23 years who are deserving of release and are at minimal or no risk of reoffending.. The only thing I ask of society is to give them their freedom, and to help them obtain clothing, employment, food, medical services, medication, and shelter after their release. 

I know prisoners who refuse parole because they have lost all of their family support systems and do not choose to be a burden on their children, etc. They say they will be in debt as soon as they step out of prison and they have little or no money saved up for their future. Many have not paid in the required amount to receive social security because they were denied parole past age 65. Some are still ready and able to work and would be dedicated to work hard and show up for work every day.

Currently inmates who are ordered by medical to have ambulatory devices (such as canes, walkers, etc.) or who are legally blind are being transferred from here. We are unsure what they will face in the prisons to which they are being transferred.

Are second chances out of the question for geriatric prisoners? Are they being discriminated against solely because their age, or for crimes that are on their record from their distant past? Why are model prisoners repeatedly denied parole release even though they are eligible according to Virginia law and have met every requirement possible?

By Charles Zellers, Buckingham Correctional Center, Dilwyn, VA

Hordes Of Ants Happily Head For Their Graves

Photo from Texas A& M article

Every summer we seem to have an infestation of illegal immigrants taking over in our kitchen and elsewhere.

But after doing some internet research we think we have finally found a way to rid ourselves of these unwelcome guests.

First we mix together one part borax (a product we sometimes add to our laundry detergent) and three parts sugar. Then we add one part water and one part syrup and stir well. We then put dabs of this mixture on pieces of cardboard and set them around where our six-legged guests are most likely to find them.

And find them they will. They love this sweet stuff, not realizing that it contains a poison they will unknowingly carry home to their colony.

Of course no one has warned them that not every instantly gratifying pleasure is actually good for them. And that in fact many such self-indulgences may not only result in their own demise, but cause destruction among their relatives as well.

I don't mean to sound heartless here, but when it comes to these household pests, I experience far more relief than grief at the thought.

Meanwhile, as a preacher, I can't help but think there must be a sermon illustration in here somewhere.

Amid Death And Devastation, A Tree Still Grows

Just six months ago, this was the site of dreams and memories burned to the ground. 

Last Saturday Alma Jean and I went on a drive to nearby Greene County in memory of my deceased sister Mary Beth. At the age of 69, she and her husband of 51 years perished in a tragic fire in their mobile home in scenic Shifflett's Hollow on the night of December 12, 2015.

Some of the possessions they had kept in several storage sheds were being sold in the yard sale at the Dyke Fire Hall on Saturday. From there we stopped by the site of their former home and then the Evergreen Church of the Brethren Cemetery where they were buried near a beautiful stretch of their beloved Blue Ridge mountains.

It was a pilgrimage that made the heart hurt. Not only did we experience flashbacks of our family's loss but we also relived memories of how our lives were forever impacted by Mary Beth's arrival in my parents' home as a foster child at four months of age. She was a devoted member of her adoptive family, and she and her husband Harven graciously hosted us many times in their double wide mobile home.

Most of the the ashes and debris from their fire had been buried in a large crater dug for that purpose nearby, much as one would bury a loved one's last remains. But grief doesn't bury easily. It still sticks to the pit of the stomach, demanding renewed attention from time to time as we recall the unimaginable and savor our never-to-be-forgotten blessings.

What struck me most upon visiting the site was the large silver maple standing stalwart and upright next to where the trailer once was, a tree I had never paid much attention to before. But now it stood out as if to guard the place, providing shade and speaking to some of what will long endure after we are all gone.

Come fall, it will drop bushels of silver and yellow leaves, but by spring it will again be fully dressed for yet another season of hope.

And so life goes on.

Here's a link to a photo and post about what happened last December 
http://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-christmas-of-sorrow-and-grief.html

And here's another amazing part of my sister's story 
http://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-my-adopted-sister-found-her.html

Even When The Trumperor Has No Clues, We Must Still Show Love And Respect

So say it with me,"Donald, God loves you, and so do we."

Vice-president Joe Biden recently said of candidate Donald Trump, "This guy doesn't have a clue about the middle class. Not a clue... He has no clue about what makes America great. Actually, he has no clue, period."

Vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine spoke even more harshly: "Folks, you cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth. Our nation is too great to put it in the hands of a slick-talking, empty-promising, self-promoting, one man wrecking crew."

But are these attack-mode generalizations really helpful? 

The comments above are actually among the milder ones being directed at the presidential nominee these days. He is being called petulant, Islamophobic, a liar and a cheat, to mention only a few of the labels attached to him. 

I must admit that in light of some of his outrageous statements, I'm tempted to join the chorus.

But should we? 

Not that followers of Jesus may not, and sometimes must, point out wrongs and untruths promoted by people in power, and hold them accountable for their words and actions. But we must first recognize and remove beams of prejudice and hatred from our own eyes. 

We must also celebrate the fact that there is no human being on earth who is not the focus of God's unconditional love, and no one who is not incomparably precious and deserving of our love and respect. 

In short, we must commit ourselves every day to live by the words of Jesus, 

     "You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

- Matthew 5:43-48 (the Message)

Half Of Virginia's Inmates Are African American

Mr. John Bennie Williams, 83 (second from left), is legally blind, has been in prison 40 years, and has been turned down for parole or geriatric release over 20 times

• African Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at a rate
that is 5.1 times the imprisonment of whites. In five states
(Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, and Wisconsin),
the disparity is more than 10 to 1.

• In twelve states, more than half of the prison population
is black: Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina,
South Carolina, and Virginia. Maryland, whose prison
population is 72% African American, tops the nation.

• In eleven states, at least 1 in 20 adult black males is in prison.

• In Oklahoma, the state with the highest overall black
incarceration rate, 1 in 15 black males ages 18 and older is
in prison.

• States exhibit substantial variation in the range of racial
disparity, from a black/white ratio of 12.2:1 in New Jersey
to 2.4:1 in Hawaii.

Data courtesy of http://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Color-of-Justice-Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparity-in-State-Prisons.pdf