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My point is that watching the news does nothing to limit the governments encroachment on your civil liberties. If you've been a cognizant adult since the "post

by smokeyj 10y ago

My point is that watching the news does nothing to limit the governments encroachment on your civil liberties. If you've been a cognizant adult since the "post 9/11" era you'd realize the government set on eroding any semblance of your rights as an individual. Turn off the news. It's pure garbage. If the government isn't actively trying to kill your source of information it isn't that good.

KirinDave 10y ago
It's interesting you say that. From the perspective of the LGBT community it's never been a safer time to be open (which in no way implies it's not full of challenges and danger). But significant progress has been made. And while America is still deeply structured around racism, the dialogue has never been more open and the problems have never been made more clear to a broad swath of the population, which when polled generally agrees that core problems like income inequality and unfair police enforcement / incarceration need to end now. That is not to paint a rosy picture of the entire affair. It's a mixed bag. America's foreign policies have been troublesome in many ways. And yeah, surveillance and speech rights are a sore spot for some people. I don't disagree there are issues. But sitting here telling me I've never had it worse won't work. I assure you 5 years ago it was substantially worse for me. I need to keep an eye out so if nothing else, I know when I need to leave the country.
- smokeyj 10y ago
  > I need to keep an eye out so if nothing else, I know when I need to leave the country Perhaps, but I'm sure there's a better way than sifting through piles of BS that is news. (If you can't tell, I hate the "news"). Maybe the ACLU should set up a monthly email alert with a barometer reading. But I agree with OP. Avoiding the news will make you a more sane person.
  - KirinDave 10y ago
    You do you. For me, I've always considered news to be a thing to consume responsibly with the full knowledge it is a profession as well as a service. I see no reason to retreat into a bubble because the news isn't happy. The things that nearly drove me to self-harm were real people, not an overcooked headline.
    - smokeyj 10y ago
      News companies profiteer on polarizing the population by inciting hate and fear. It's advertisement based entertainment like Jerry Springer. As long as you realize that's what "news" is for 90% of the population then indulge away.

by smokeyj 10y ago

KirinDave 10y ago

It's interesting you say that. From the perspective of the LGBT community it's never been a safer time to be open (which in no way implies it's not full of challenges and danger). But significant progress has been made. And while America is still deeply structured around racism, the dialogue has never been more open and the problems have never been made more clear to a broad swath of the population, which when polled generally agrees that core problems like income inequality and unfair police enforcement / incarceration need to end now. That is not to paint a rosy picture of the entire affair. It's a mixed bag. America's foreign policies have been troublesome in many ways. And yeah, surveillance and speech rights are a sore spot for some people. I don't disagree there are issues. But sitting here telling me I've never had it worse won't work. I assure you 5 years ago it was substantially worse for me. I need to keep an eye out so if nothing else, I know when I need to leave the country.

smokeyj 10y ago
> I need to keep an eye out so if nothing else, I know when I need to leave the country Perhaps, but I'm sure there's a better way than sifting through piles of BS that is news. (If you can't tell, I hate the "news"). Maybe the ACLU should set up a monthly email alert with a barometer reading. But I agree with OP. Avoiding the news will make you a more sane person.
- KirinDave 10y ago
  You do you. For me, I've always considered news to be a thing to consume responsibly with the full knowledge it is a profession as well as a service. I see no reason to retreat into a bubble because the news isn't happy. The things that nearly drove me to self-harm were real people, not an overcooked headline.
  - smokeyj 10y ago
    News companies profiteer on polarizing the population by inciting hate and fear. It's advertisement based entertainment like Jerry Springer. As long as you realize that's what "news" is for 90% of the population then indulge away.