More Concerns

As some of you may know, I am an avid CNN watcher. I enjoy their comprehensive and unbiased presentation of the news. However, for some unknown reason I was watching Fox News the other day and I finally know why I don't watch it. I had always heard that CNN was stereotypically liberal, leaning to the left, and Fox News is on the right and conservative. I found that I really have to look hard to see any liberal undertones in the news that CNN presents. However, Fox News comes right out and says that they are conservative, giving the viewers proper perspective on their bias. This could be good, but I can't see how.

What bothers me the most, however, was the special that I saw run by Fox called Perspective in Peril, making fun of the name of a current CNN special Planet in Peril. Fox News, instead of doing thier own investigation of the planet's current state, decided to attack CNN personally, asking students at a University what they thought of the special. Their answers were obviously thought out and had the same worldview as the station.

This is not journalism folks. I have never seen CNN, instead of taking time to investigate and present the news, attack another news station. Not only does Fox News come at the news with a bias, THEY DELIBERATELY STATE IT in most of their programs. If you are a journalist, you know that your job is to present the news in an unbiased AS POSSIBLE version. I know that some programs lean a little more than others but this was obviously not Bill O'reily, it was just news.

Sad

Even though most of my views may fall under the conservative realm, I still want to have an open mind and hear both sides.

Currently watching CNN and, oh my, coming up next: Civilian and U.S. troops deaths are down: A Safer Iraq?

Yea, sounds like CNN is real biased.

Still more concerns to come.

Concerns

Blogs perturb me.
I recently took a small seminar on the origination and the idea of blogging and I will never look at it the same. The point of blogging is to give normal people a chance to post up their ideas or thoughts without having to put up with publishing, advertisements or web design issues. The original bloggers were and are, in at least some way, journalists, and blogging was away for them to publish without having to put up with money hungry publishers or cranky editors in the newsroom. I have to consider myself a journalist since that is my concentration, however, I find that I am much different than most of the journalists I come across. However, somewhere along the line, blogging became about people just posting whatever they were feeling. Blogs are now filled with annoying, pointless ramblings about everyday life that no one really reads anyways. Here are some pointers for you bloggers that may help with this hindrance.
-People don't want to hear about your boring everyday life or your thoughts unless you are doing something or are someone of particular intrigue. This includes celebrity blogs or blogs where family and friends can keep track of you if you are on a trip of some kind. An example is my trip to Turkey, which is exactly why this blog was originally created. Carly and Sarah's blogs are also popular right now while they are in Thailand.
-You have to post something that will catch peoples attention. This includes current news, social injustices, etc. However, in order for you to acquire readers, you must have credibility on what you are writing about. For example, someone would rather read an opinion on the exegesis of John from a theology professor, than from a self-absorbed, know-it-all college student sitting in their dorm. Although pure interest sometimes helps people with credibility, very seldom do they know how to put their thoughts in concise, readable formats.
As I was looking at my list of other bloggers I was saddened at the amount of blogs I have that 1. I really don't read and 2. Teach me nothing at all about anything. I want more blogs that inform me about things I don't know! I think that is what they are originally for.
Sorry to all of you who have a blog, titled: "Life", I don't mean to be such an ass but most likely you will get bored with your blog and no one will ever know it existed, unless you give them a good reason to read it. If my blog ever falls victim to any of the faux pas I have listed above, please, please, please let me know, asap.
Keep an eye out for more concerns.

My New Favorite Song

I just found a song that fits me perfect. Unfortunately, that always isn't what people want to hear. I hope that one day I will be able to break through some of these faults and keep the one's that are good.

"Better As A Memory"

I move on like a sinners prayer
And letting go like a levee breaks
Walk away as if I don't care
Learn to shoulder my mistakes
Or built to fade like your favorite song
Get reckless when there's no need
Laugh as your stories ramble on
Break my heart, but it won't bleed
My only friends are pirates
That's just who I am
But I'm better as a memory than as your man

Never sure when the truth won't bend
And pretty good on a lonely night
Or move on the way a storm blows through
And never stay, but then again, I might.
I struggle sometimes to find the words
Always sure until I doubt
Walk a line until it blurs
Build walls too high to climb out
But I'm honest to a fault
That's just who I am
I'm better as a memory than as your man

I see you leaning, you're bound to fall
I don't want to be that mistake
I'm just a dreamer and nothing more
You should know it before it gets too late

Cause goodbyes are like a roulette wheel
You never know where they're gonna land
First you're spinning, then you're standing still
Left holding a losing hand
But one day you're gonna find someone
And right away you'll know it's true
That all of your sinking's done
It was just a part of the passing through
Right there in that moment you'll finally understand
That I was better as a memory than as your man
Better as a memory than as your man

...and the saga continues

OK, I hear the responses loud and clear and I promise that I will try to blog more often. Today I want to touch on something near and dear to my heart. As most of you know, I went to Turkey this summer and while there I learned a lot about the Turkish/Kurdish conflict. To make a very long story short, the Kurds are a people group without a land. They are dispersed throughout the Middle East but mostly in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq. The Turks and the Kurds, however, do not get along. There have been years and years of turmoil between them and it seems to be getting to the boiling point.
Just last week the Turkish parliament passed a bill that said Turkey would invade the Northern part of Iraq. This stems from a long period of Kurdish rebels bombing and attacking Turkish troops in both Iraq and in Turkey. Turkey is fed up with these rebels.
There are many problems with this:
1. The Kurds do not have a country to invade. They have little provinces in Iraq but for the most part they do not have a land that they really call their own. This will make it hard for the Turkish troops to sniff out the Kurdish rebels. Also, for the Kurds in Turkey, who did nothing wrong, this will make life almost unbearable.
2. As you might have guessed, President Bush is not in favor of this military action. He, understandably, does not want any more Turkish troops in Iraq. This, along with the recent push in the UN to accuse Turkey of genocide more than 80 years ago (whole other story) could eventually ruin our relationship with Turkey. This is bad because then we will have no access to sea routes controlled by Turkey that we use to get troops and military supplies into Iraq. It is also bad because there are countless "missionaries" in the country, some that I know personally, and this would make life very hard for them.
The latest news is that a group of Kurdish rebels just killed some more Turkish troops. It will be interesting to see how this pans out. The Kurdish leader is urging Turkey for peaceful talks but, unfortunately, it looks like a handful of rebels has ruined his chance. Turkey has a very strong military and the Kurds don't stand a chance at any kind of fight.
Pray for this situation. We need to have a good relationship with Turkey, it is very, very important for the future of the middle east. Also, pray that this will come to an end as peacefully as God allows it to.

Grand Ole Opry

I sent this picture to someone last night and I was appalled when they responded: "What is that?" Oh no. So for all of you that don't know that Grand Ole Opry is a radio show that broadcasts every Friday, Saturday and Tuesday night. It goes on the AM station WSM 650, but it just so happens that they have a live audience during this show. Artists from every decade come to the Opryhouse to perform on the show and we got a chance to see it last night. It was really neat to see just how much talent there really is in this town. We saw a few old timers and some up-and-comers. It was really fun. To be inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry is arguably the biggest honor a country music artist can achieve. The next person to be inducted is Josh Turner (one of my favorites) on October 27th. I would just be honored to play there one day...
We are having fun here and the conference is actually really good. Thanks for the prayers and I will see you all soon.
Love you guys.
aj

Nashville Baby!

I am leaving for NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE tomorrow and I have to tell you that I couldn't be more excited. A small group of us "editors" for the journalism program are going to be attending the Baptist Press Convention, where Baptist college students from around the country come and learn about Journalism. I always enjoy looking for ways to further my education in the field I am studying in and this is a great one.
Nashville is an interesting city to me. Other than being the country music "mecca" and hopefully one day my future home, it is also one of the most dynamic cities in America. Presbetrianism penetrates every aspect of the city not just with churches, but colleges, book stores, music companies and other large buildings with crosses on them. It is very evident that Baptism and other demnominations have very strong roots in this part of the country. Sadly though, in the same areas of downtown where the churches are, there are also countless bars, strip clubs, homeless, prostitutes and other crime. It is interesting to me how Christianity has created its own culture in Nashville, rather than embracing and trying to reach the sinful culture that already exists. A good book that touches on this problem in the first couple of chapters is a book called Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp, check it out.
Anyways, last year when we were there we got to see Leann Rhimes in person so maybe I will get lucky again. I have better chance of noticing people because I am a country music freak and know wierd things like what Kenny Chesney's keyboard player looks like. We are going to visit the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and of course the Craker Barrel as well.
So while I am there I might check out some future places to play, to stay and to work so pray that I meet some contacts that will help me with my future career.