Today I've pounced upon two items of very good news for our country:

1. The Senate countermanded the latest Bush-inspired head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who wanted to change the rules to basically allow unlimited ownership in the same city of major media sources.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080516/media_ownership.html?.v=1

Why would this be bad? Well, think about the figures ... In 1983 there were 50 corporations that controlled US media. Then, in 1996, perhaps no more than 10. And since 2004 just 5 -- count 'em -- major conglomerates control nearly all we read and see in magazines, newspapers, network television and even radio? http://www.corporations.org/media/  Now imagine, if the current proposed change were implemented, how quickly the few could become the ONLY.

Against this, we've got to give ourselves great kudos for the blossoming of independent cable tv outlets, for C-SPAN, for Public Radio and Television, not to mention the incredible people-power of the internet -- bloggers unite!

2. A young man named Matthis Chiroux, after six years as a promoted and decorated soldier in Afghanistan, Germany, Japan and the Philippines, has told Congress, "I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation."

"I was from a poor, white family from the south, and I did badly in school," the now 24-year-old said. "I was 'filet mignon' for recruiters. They started phoning me when I was in 10th grade."

He was due to be deployed next month in Iraq, and on Thursday refused to go, saying he considers Iraq an illegal war. "My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080516144757.0ds7otes&show_article=1

Now I ask you, wouldn't it be fantastic if thousands more courageous citizens came to the same conclusion?

Positively,
Carolan