Job Discussion Forums

[Deborann]

The question is not answered by pointing to other countries and saying 'it's Ok, everyone else does it too". Although that in itself implies agreement with the article.

No-one would argue that China's government is open and transparent in all it's doings. China does not claim to be a democracy, with the 'rights and responsibilities' that 'democratic' countries give and require of citizens. However, if you are well connected enough, even in China there are underground newspapers that can be accessed - clearly not printed under the aegis of the government.

From the contact I have had with other western countries, the news reporting appears to be more 'middle of the road' with at least an attempt to provide some level of balance in reporting. Watching CNN and Fox reports the level of balance in the reporting is minimal, the coverage of arenas that the US is not (yet) involved in, is non-existent. Having reporters 'embedded' in the military guarantees that only those areas will be reported on.

From coverage, Christopher Reeve's death was more important to those Americans who watch prime time television news than the deaths (sorry - collateral damage) of thousands of Afghani and Iraqi citizens. The aid worker rates a mention as she is used as an excuse for continuing aggression.

The barely protested erosion of civil liberties in the U.S. is more frightening than looking at countries whose citzens have never had civil liberties. When people give away their rights as citizens they lose protection from their own government by their own choice.

In continuing an 'illegal' war, there is no honour - and those who serve in such a war will be seen by their peers and descendants as having acted without honour. WW11 war trials clearly defined that obeying orders was not an acceptable excuse for war crimes, Vietnam also taught us the same lesson. Honour does not come from being an automaton. Those with family currently serving in this 'illegal' war should be encouraging their family members to act honourably - turn in their weapons and declare themselves conscientious objectors.