Taking in information

Christiansted

Well these past few weeks have been interesting internationally and right here at home. 

Today i thought i’d just make mention of things we might like to be paying attention to but may not have the time to investigate.

Europe…Increasing investment in green technologies could give Europe’s GDP a €600 billion boost, according to a report by Germany’s Institute for Climate Impact Research. Twenty four hour strike grips Greece, clashes erupt. Europe rushes to pull foreigners out of Libya.

Middle East…Tunisia and Egypt have deposed their dictators. Bahrain, and Yemen are working on getting rid of theirs. Saudi Arabia is nervously watching as are the other countries in the area.

Africa… Libya, Gaddafi says he will not go and government forces fire on civilians. Somalian pirates have resorted to killing which is a new twist in the kidnapping business. East Africa is pushing the Nile Basin countries to work out a cooperative agreement. In Nigeria crude oil production has risen to 2.6 million barrels a day. Rwanda is doing tests on an anti-HIV gel that has been approved, it is hoped the vaginal gel will reduce the risk of HIV infection among women.

Helmet Shell

Asia… The Philippines celebrates 25 years of the people’s revolt. Malaysia is going ahead with the first solar power plant. National rice production is fine says the Indonesian government. Mobile users in Bangladesh cross 70 million.

USA…There are 1.5 billion credit cards in use in the US according to the census bureau.  "The average amount owed on credit cards by 46% of owners is $15,788.00. YIKES! "Average household debt in the United States has now reached a level of 136% of average household income".

The drama in Wisconsin has spread to Indiana, New Jersey and Ohio where labor unions are standing up against conservatives who have vowed to crush their right to bargain collectively. This is our homegrown uprising and one has to question how any taxpayer is harmed personally by teachers, policemen, firemen and others fighting for their rights and benefits.

Green Turtle

Latin America…Brazils ex President Lula being probed for administrative misconduct. Mexican president claims US isn’t doing enough to help fight drug cartels. Amazon Indians in London to stop dams they say will destroy them. UNESCO claims Machu Picchu needs fewer tourists. Venezuela denies giving refuge to Gaddafi.

Australia and New Zealand…The death toll from the devastating earthquake has risen to 75 with 300 still missing, a state of emergency has been declared. Western Australian coastal communities avoided major damage as a Category 2 storm barreled through. Residents in southern New South Wales have been urged to take extra precautions against mosquitoes after a rare and potentially fatal virus was detected near the Victorian border.

News impacts all of us in different ways.  If it appeals to the emotions the audience may be likely to suffer pangs of compassion or empathy like we have recently seen with the events in Egypt.  If big news happens close to home those who may know some of the victims can feel a direct link to the events that occurred as we saw with the recent floods in Australia. Any disaster, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes can bring up long repressed Post Traumatic Stress Syndromes in those who have experienced a similar event.

Steel pan

News creates controversy.  News that involves conflicts or new legislation which will induce readers to take sides can polarize a community. Although most news sources see their role as a public service they still need to make money to survive and many times may editorialize their position on the issues. Where you get your information is important to your understanding of the issues; if you are only getting it from one outlet you are apt to be missing all the various sides and i would highly advise busting out of your rut.

Up above i picked short sound bites that most of us can read and absorb quickly. But in one piece i expressed two opinion's that i slipped in. Propaganda can be based upon facts which are skewed in such a way as to influence your opinion.  If what you are reading only tells one side of the story, you could be basing your decision making upon faulty information.  

i definitely have an agenda here at this site, i’m not a journalist just a lowly blogger who is interested in explaining that we humans are more alike than different. Explore the internet, go to sites you don’t usually go, broaden your horizon and break out, read the oppositions pieces and see if your mind isn't changed by the new information you take in. Don't depend on one or two places to get all your news and opinion pieces because you don't want to be making decisions that could be detrimental to your future and your childrens.