Author Topic: A few things about media coverage (Read 1997 times)

Matthew · « **on:** April 18, 2007, 08:43:51 AM »

1. Notice how thousands of Iraqi lives are worth NOTHING, yet 30 W.A.S.P. American lives are extremely precious. You know how the neo-cons (and others) think the USA is the "new Israel" which is a "city on a hill", it will inherit the earth, etc.? Well we've also inherited Israel's tendency to value 1 Israeli life over 1000 gentiles.

2. Here we go with the completely lack of creativity again. People's minds are so numb, that the only way to identify an event is by its coordinates on the calendar. "Remember 4-16-07"? How about "no". I can't remember such an odd date. It's not even a LITTLE BIT memorable. Let's come up with a name, shall we? We're not computers.

3. Notice how the focus is shifting to the "warning signs" -- as in "what did we miss?" What kinds of surveillance/snooping/Big Brother can we implement to make sure this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, because as we all admit, the murder of 30 people is the highest evil (not sin, not losing all our freedoms). Of course I'm being sarcastic here.

4. Notice that 82 people were killed -- JUST TODAY -- and most Americans won't give it a thought, nevermind a tear or a prayer. But the situation is VERY SIMILAR to Virginia Tech. Did you read the headline? A MARKETPLACE -- so poor old ladies and children were blown up. Every bit as regrettable as the death of young students. You can't say "but these are soldiers, they understand the risk..." etc. when so many hundreds of CIVILIANS (elderly, women, children) are dying every day.

There are probably other things too, but I wanted to point these out, since they seem to be important points.

Matthew

Carolus Magnus · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:03:11 AM »

The reason this is different to all the deaths in Iraq is because it makes people realise their own mortality, it could of been them or their son or daughter, they don't get this from Iraq because they don't relate to Iraqi's as one of them.

When you buy into the lie that this life on this earth is the most precious thing, that there is no God and when we die that is the end, that death is to be feared rather than to be accepted as the gate to the afterlife which for a Catholic means the gate to heaven or hell.

It is not death we should fear but sin.

6 John 12

25 Itself remaineth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal.

antyshemanic · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:11:07 AM »

"Remember 4-16-2007" this could be easier if they just reverse 9-11 to VA Massacre 11-9.
I have also heard them use the word 'conspiracy' in with his mindset. :tv-disturbed:

Trinity · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:37:14 AM »

I do identify with the Iraqis and Afghanis. Carolus is right that sin is the thing to be most feared, but these slaughters are also to be rejected and fought. Slaughter is not God's work, but satan's. Jesus came to give us life, but satan has always sought to deprive us of it, and I am not convinced at all that the premature death of anyone is God's will. If war were the instrument of bringing people to salvation we could all rejoice, but we are told that war is due to our sins. In other words, when there is war and these other slaughters, we have failed. How hard is it to fail when you don't even try?

Carolus Magnus · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:59:46 AM »

I did not say that sin is the thing to be most feared, it is the ONLY thing to be feared.

Jesus came to give us eternal life not life in this world, our time on this earth is just a part of our journey home, it is not this life that Satan is trying to deprive us of but the eternal life with God that awaits us on the other side of the doorway that is earthly death of our bodies.

These deaths where nothing to do with us, we have failed nothing. Death is Gods punishment of man due to our sins, as such it is God's Will that we die.

God has in the past commanded war and he will do so again in the future I have no doubt.

Vandaler · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2007, 09:59:49 AM »

Quote

1. Notice how thousands of Iraqi lives are worth NOTHING, yet 30 W.A.S.P. American lives are extremely precious. You know how the neo-cons (and others) think the USA is the "new Israel" which is a "city on a hill", it will inherit the earth, etc.? Well we've also inherited Israel's tendency to value 1 Israeli life over 1000 gentiles.

We have the media we deserve. There are so many options now in terms of news source, information is treated as a consuming product where offer and demand rules. The demand is high on searching for details on those shootings right now, media outlets serves them. It's just that simple. You pointed out rightly that in a week's time (probably after the funeral ceremonies) no one will want to hear the words Virgina Tech anymore, and then the focus will turn elsewhere.

Are you yourself just as keenly interested in knowing who was the bomber in Irak, his personal story, his parents... etc. I doubt it.

Quote

2. Here we go with the completely lack of creativity again. People's minds are so numb, that the only way to identify an event is by its coordinates on the calendar. "Remember 4-16-07"? How about "no". I can't remember such an odd date. It's not even a LITTLE BIT memorable. Let's come up with a name, shall we? We're not computers.

This will not be remembered as 4-16. No one really controls how these things get named, at some point, someone will coin the expresion that will catch on, or, it may very well be remembered by Virginia Tech.... Just like Columbine is remembered.

Quote

3. Notice how the focus is shifting to the "warning signs" -- as in "what did we miss?" What kinds of surveillance/snooping/Big Brother can we implement to make sure this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, because as we all admit, the murder of 30 people is the highest evil (not sin, not losing all our freedoms). Of course I'm being sarcastic here.

I suppose I know what you mean, but given the assurance that this will happeen again somewhere, drawing conclusions, and trying to figure out better, and reasonable ways to help avert such incident seems perfectly allright.

Quote

4. Notice that 82 people were killed -- JUST TODAY -- and most Americans won't give it a thought, nevermind a tear or a prayer. But the situation is VERY SIMILAR to Virginia Tech. Did you read the headline? A MARKETPLACE -- so poor old ladies and children were blown up. Every bit as regrettable as the death of young students. You can't say "but these are soldiers, they understand the risk..." etc. when so many hundreds of CIVILIANS (elderly, women, children) are dying every day.

What about the 10,000 children that die every day from hunger. They don't get much air time either do they. That's because people just don't care and don't want to be reminded about it.

BTW, if you turn to CNN international, you will find that the Irak Bombing is the most important news story (at the time of writing this..) Again, you have the media you deserve.

Trinity · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2007, 10:05:48 AM »

Carolus, it frightens me when someone is as wrong as you are and as confident as you are that you are right.

Vandaler · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2007, 10:36:21 AM »

Quote from: Trinity

Jesus came to give us life, but satan has always sought to deprive us of it, and I am not convinced at all that the premature death of anyone is God's will.

Hmm,

I'm not sure either. We can agree by all evidence that God allows these death to happen, but that does not mean it is ultimately His Will or Wish. We all have free will, and it is this individual's free will that caused the premature death of these innocent students.

Free will is so strong, that we can take our own life away. This being a Sin, it his not God's Will but He allows it.

Therefore, we do yes have a responsibility to help curb excessive behaviors of free will that may shorten the lives of innocent people. It's a societal responsibility.

antyshemanic · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2007, 10:58:11 AM »

Quote from: Trinity

I do identify with the Iraqis and Afghanis. Carolus is right that sin is the thing to be most feared, but these slaughters are also to be rejected and fought. Slaughter is not God's work, but satan's. Jesus came to give us life, but satan has always sought to deprive us of it, and I am not convinced at all that the premature death of anyone is God's will. If war were the instrument of bringing people to salvation we could all rejoice, but we are told that war is due to our sins. In other words, when there is war and these other slaughters, we have failed. How hard is it to fail when you don't even try?

When I see evil happenings around me it makes me think of this verse .I'm reminded of 'who' is the god of this WORLD.

2 Corinthians 4:4
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

If we had more of these people in the verse below in governments we more than likely would not have the bƖσσdshɛd we have.This could also refer to all of us.

Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.

Trinity · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:00:23 AM »

You hit the nail on the head, Vandaler. Conversely, when we exercise our free will to stop these sins, are we not subtracting from the weight of sin in this world, which is the cause of war, etc. So our failure to thwart sin is a sin which adds to the body of sin, etc.

Carolus overlooks another thing, too. If physical death were of so little moment, why did Jesus raise people from the dead? Why did the saints? And why is laying down one's life for another the greatest love? And above all, why are we embroiled in war now, if not for the horrendous sin of abortion, which is simply the physical death of the unborn? Heaven help us if such limp wristed Christianity prevails.

Carolus Magnus · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:14:49 AM »

Quote from: Trinity

You hit the nail on the head, Vandaler. Conversely, when we exercise our free will to stop these sins, are we not subtracting from the weight of sin in this world, which is the cause of war, etc. So our failure to thwart sin is a sin which adds to the body of sin, etc.

Carolus overlooks another thing, too. If physical death were of so little moment, why did Jesus raise people from the dead? Why did the saints? And why is laying down one's life for another the greatest love? And above all, why are we embroiled in war now, if not for the horrendous sin of abortion, which is simply the physical death of the unborn? Heaven help us if such limp wristed Christianity prevails.

God does not expect us to take personal responsibility for all the sins of mankind, we are not Jesus and we are not capable of carrying the cross of the whole world. My exercising my free will canot stop others from sinning.

Jesus raised people from the dead to prove that he was the Messiah, the Saints did so to prove that they had authority from God not because death is something to be avoided at all costs. Also at the time of Jesus death did not lead to heaven as it does now.

The "limp wristed" Christianity you speak of is the Christianity of the Martyrs who willingly laid down their life because they believed, because they had true Faith in God and what he has told us concerning death and the afterlife. Fearing death makes you weak, acepting it as another step on the journey to the Kingdom of God frees you to more fully do his will rather than your own.

Trinity · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:31:45 AM »

Where did you get the bunkum that Jesus and the saints raised the dead to show their power? Sounds like a demonic move. As if they were about authority rather than compassion. Why then did Jesus weep? And why raise the young man who fell out of the window when speaking to people who already recognized the authority?

If God is going to hold us responsible for every careless word, why wouldn't he not hold us responsible for every careless action? Why do we confess sins of omission? Your position is a cop out, Carolus, like the man who buried the talents.

Vandaler · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:33:35 AM »

Quote from: Carolus Magnus

God does not expect us to take personal responsibility for all the sins of mankind, we are not Jesus and we are not capable of carrying the cross of the whole world. My exercising my free will canot stop others from sinning.

I doubt anyone here feels the need to take personal responsability for what happened. This does not mean that the pursuit of our life is solely a personal, and selfish struggle against sin... allthough it might be if one choose a life of hermitage.

But once you live in society, you do share some responsability. You share your own little part, like everybody else in providing to the well being of your peers around you. It's a shared responsability, that in this case it failed miserably.

Theological arguments complements and explain wordly existance, it does not trump it.

Carolus Magnus · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:47:37 AM »

Sorry but I am not responsible for the death of these people.

Vandaler · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2007, 11:50:55 AM »

Quote from: Carolus Magnus

Sorry but I am not responsible for the death of these people.

No one is arguing that you are.