Have you watched "The Corporation"? It is highly educational and informative, especially the long version, which includes many interviews and commentaries by the producers and also the discussion with Professor Joel Bakan, author of the book "The Corporation: Pathological pursuit of profit and power." Part of the movie can be watched online. Here are the first among 23 parts: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4. I think this would make for a far more important and worthy material than what is typically covered in middle and high school social studies curricula. If you might be interested in supporting the effort of the producers of the movie, you could do so here.
 |
| Andy the Bear |
There are all sorts of lessons to learn from this movie? On a number of occasions in the movie (e.g. part 17) we learn that it is not illegal to fabricate the news! Here is a direct quote from a reporter telling us what he was told when he was working on a documentary that was against Monsanto Corporation's corporate interest:
"We just paid $3 B for these television
stations. The news is what we say it is."
 |
| Madison the Butterfly |
When money, profit, and power speak, all else seem to be secondary. Maybe the human race could grow out of their current consciousness before it is too late. Listen to the funny doctor, Patch Adams: part1, part2, based on whose life the highly entertaining movie Patch Adams was made.
In a world dominated by empty slogans (such as God Bless America) the public needs constant reminders by our honest media about the all-important efforts we collectively need to be fully conscious about. I have come across the following wise statement: "The media doesn't tell you what to think, but they sure do tell you what to think about". I think I read it for the first time in Michael Parenti's insightful book "Make-Believe Media". You might know what I am talking about: take for example the constant references to the War on Terror, the War on Drugs, the War on Poverty, and of course the War on Cancer. What's about our obsession with wars?
In another part of the movie we learn about Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, Professor Emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinios, and author of "Cancer-Gate", (available for preview here at google books) and "The Politics of Cancer", about his evidence of the strong link between cancer and the environmental and industrial toxins. Speaking of cancer, if you have not read Devra Davis' book on "The Secret History of the War on Cancer", I would highly recommend it. Below is a screen shot of a page in the preface just to whet your appetite:
Most of us have a friend or relative who might have been victimized or afflicted with cancer. And many of us might be highly motivated and concerned with helping find a remedy or cure for cancer.
 |
| John the Eagle |
I have personally received several appeals in the past from family, friends and neighbors who have taken upon themselves to take part in an organized walk, jog, or marathon of some kind to help raise funds for "cancer research". My personal feeling at the moment is that much of the so called "cancer research" is misguided as they are not interested in pointing to the potential environmental toxins and polluters in an attempt to avoid challenging powerful corporate interests. For example, consider the recent seven part expose of American Cancer Society entitled "The American Cancer Society Runs with the Money and Way from the Cure" (part1, part2, part3, part4, part5, part6, part7) by citizen journalist and natural health advocate Tony Isaacs. I am generally more sympathetic to natural and alternative forms of cancer therapy and treatment, and very sympathetic to those warning us of the potential risks of and links between cancer and industrial toxins and chemicals. Check out the following for example:
1. Movie: The Beautiful Truth (about Gerson Method).
6. Book:The Fluoride Deception (here's the interview with its author)
2 comments:
true indeed.
Very interesting read!
Also, came across a book by late libertarian-minded author and so-called expert on "Public Policy" and "Risk Management" Aaron Wildavsky, who wrote in his book "But is it True?" (http://www.amazon.com/But-True-Citizens-Environmental-Health/dp/0674089235) arguments against what Dr. Samuel Epstein warns us about.
Here is a talk by Mr. Wildavsky on Risk and Liberty: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTjxQVgi0ow). Interestingly enough, Mr. Wildavsky got what he deserved. He died of nothing other than you guessed it: "Lung Cancer", as indicated in an article that appeared in LA Times (http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-07/news/mn-32446_1_political-science). Don't you find some cosmic justice, in this?
Post a Comment