With ‘03 in Sight

I hate to get all political during this, the closing hours of 2002. But as we head into a new year, a year that could very likely be marked with war, it seems obvious that we need to be aware of our government’s actions even moreso than usual. A couple of articles make that point very clear.

If you want to get an idea of just how jacked up the U.S. news is these days, just take a gander at “2002 Media Follies,” which highlights “the most overhyped and underreported stories of the year.” It’s a shame that the face of American journalism seems to be hacks like Bill O’Reilly (who might just be TV’s biggest prick). From “Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction” to “The Smallpox Threat” to “Privatizing Water,” this article will make you wonder what else is going on behind our backs and under our noses.

And if you thought the government’s increasing attacks on our civil liberties and personal freedoms wasn’t hypocritical before, I suggest you check out this recent SlashDot thread. A couple of journalists take the government at their word and hilarity ensues.

Like most people, I’m looking forward to a new year, a chance to start over, a chance for a fresh beginning or two. But it’s hard not to be cynical when this sort of shit happens. There’s a part of me that seriously dreads what 2003 holds for this nation, and this world. I don’t want to sound melodramatic or get all Chicken Little here, but I think it’d be stupid not to have just a wee bit of concern.

I never thought I’d quote Jerry Springer, but “take care of yourself, and each other.” It seems increasingly obvious that those we’ve elected to that task are more interested in other things.