Who Watches the Watchers?
Why "I don't trust the media" is code for "I refuse to do my homework."
In August of 2006, U.S. Representative Katherine Harris, spoke on the record to the Florida Baptist Witness, the weekly journal of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Harris, a Republican who oversaw the 2000 Bush / Gore presidential recount as Florida's secretary of state said that the separation of church and state is a lie we have been told, that God chooses our rulers, and that He did not intend America to be a nation of secular laws.
She also said that if Christians are not elected, politicians will "legislate sin."
I find it fascinating that in the nearly 20 years since then, our politicians consider themselves increasingly knowledgeable about "what God intended." They are also increasingly hateful, untruthful, intolerant, and vocal in telling the masses what they should believe.
Interestingly, Harris did not win the race against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in November, 2006. For some reason, the issues she wanted to talk about (lies and legislating sin, evidently) were sidelined. Voters seemed to be more interested in news of her dealings with a corrupt defense contractor who gave her $32,000 in illegal campaign contributions.
I know many self-proclaimed “patriotic” Americans who can wax eloquent over the Pledge of Allegiance — and who get on their perpetual soapboxes to decry anyone who takes issue with the “one nation under God” part. These same “patriots” often have no idea that the pledge, first written in 1892 when Harrison was president, never mentioned God.
In my booth at the local antique mall is a school dictionary from 1935. The pledge is on its cover. God still hasn’t been added. Seventy years ago, in June of 1954, President Eisenhower added “under God” as a sort of publicity stunt to show capitalistic America’s dominance and superiority over Communists. (Makes one wonder what god is being worshiped, doesn’t it? That’s a post for another day.)
I can listen to both sides of most political arguments. It does me no good to live in a bubble and not try to understand what the Other Side might be thinking.
I find it difficult, if not impossible, however, to see the Other Side of a few key issues. One is the mandatory separation of church and state. The other is the unequivocal freedom of the press.
From a very young age, I appreciated the importance of a media unfettered by politics, cash flow, or polemics. "A free press" is the answer to the question, "Who watches the watchers?”
A recent example of the importance of a free press — and the razor-thin line that creates that freedom — is the curious case of investigative reporter Anna Wolfe. Wolfe won the Pulitzer Prize last year for her reporting on how former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant redirected $77 million of federal welfare funds. Instead of going to people in need in the nation’s poorest state , they went to family members, pet projects for super-star athletes (evidently, Brett Favre wanted to build a stadium), and colleagues.
It all started when Wolfe wondered why over 90% of Mississippi’s welfare applicants were rejected, and how the state was spending the $90+ million of federal funds it received.
Now, Bryant is suing Wolfe and her editor, Adam Ganucheau, for defamation and threatening them with jail time if they do not give up their sources. The case has gone all the way to Mississippi’s Supreme Court. (Bryant is responsible for 4 of the court’s 9 judges, by the way…)
“Oh,” I hear people say, “I don’t listen to the media. You can’t believe a thing they say.”
I cringe at this. Because it really means, “I can’t be bothered to find out the truth.”
And when truth doesn’t matter, power runs unchecked and lies flourish.
This Independence Day, celebrate freedom. Read a newspaper. Engage in free speech. Worship Whomever you want. Or don’t. Say the pledge. Or don’t. Assemble peaceably. And (here’s the key), do so responsibly — without infringing on others’ same freedoms.
In Other News
On Monday, we had to say a final, sad goodbye to our sweet dog Major. We knew he had a congenital heart defect. But we didn’t know he’d leave us so soon.
We got Major in January, 2017, just a month after losing my husband. The little guy was an owner surrender at Animal Control. He turned 8 the year we got him and immediately became a member of our family.
Major is the first little dog I ever owned. He forever changed my opinion of little dogs.
For awhile, he split his time between our house and my dad’s. Dad would go and spend all day with Mom at the elder care facility where she was dying. Then he’d come have supper with us and take Major home with him to hang out together. Major adored him.
The Corgi brothers loved Major and wanted to be friends, but the old timer wanted nothing to do with them. Like an old man grumbling at kids visiting near his beach house on spring break, he couldn’t believe I’d brought them into our home. I’m certain he wondered when they’d ever leave.
On Sunday, we knew it was time to say goodbye. His heart was rapidly giving out and the light had left his eyes. Monday was a miserable day for all of us. Rheo and I still are in a sad funk. (Sawyer immediately claimed Major’s spot on the couch.)
Yes, I believe all dogs go to heaven. There will be no discussion on this matter.
Client Kudos
I am BEYOND thrilled to announce that the wonderful Dave Edwards’ book The Deep End of the Pool is finally available!
Just in time for Independence Day, The Deep End of the Pool is the biography of Dave’s father “Eddy,” who the draft board chases through two wars in an effort to force him to bear arms. Following his conscience, Eddy serves in the Civilian Public Service and the U.S. Forest Service, building camps and community, searching for a better way to serve his country while remaining true to himself and his beliefs.
Discovering copies of the FBI records on his dad is what led Dave to start researching and writing his book.
Lowell Thomas and Frank Lloyd Wright, the Super Chief and seagoing cowboys all feature in the Eddy’s life story.
I am so proud of this major accomplishment! I expect great things from this book!
Recent Reads
Lately, I’ve been doing a LOT of client reading, but not so much reading “for fun.”
One exception is J. Ruth Gendler’s The Book of Qualities. I thoroughly enjoy this little book and revisit it from time to time for the inspiration it always provides.
In Qualities, Gendler anthropomorphizes various traits in a way that makes me see the world through a new lens long after I’ve read it. I enjoy the book’s commitment to its premise.
I also read Anne Carson’s novel-in-verse The Autobiography of Red. It’s been in my TBR pile *forever* and I always feel like an oaf for admitting I’ve not yet read it.
Yes, it turned Carson into a bestselling poet — quite a rarity in the literary world. Yes, its use of language is gorgeous. Yes, it broke new ground… But I just found it sad sad sad.
…maybe i’ll revisit it another day when i’m in a better frame of mind to fully appreciate it…
Have a Happy!
Whether or not you’re an American reader, I wish you a happy Fourth of July. Even if you find it just another day of another summer month, if you woke up this morning, if you can read, if you enjoy freedom in your life, you have much to celebrate!
Be well.