Bias in the News

Bias opinions influence the media and news tremendously in today's society, victimizing minority groups, the elderly, young adult, even whole countries in the name of free will and freedom of speech. Their literal goal is to shepherd their audience into conforming their opinions into agreement with their own. In the news, such bias reporting can negatively influence and distort the actual story, and that is why it is so important for people to be on their guard when listening to the news and media.

According to a Wikipedia article (2014) titled "Media Bias in the Unites States", in the 19th century, “News reporting was expected to be relatively neutral or at least factual, whereas editorial sections openly relayed the opinions of the publisher. Editorials might also have been accompanied by editorial cartoons, which would frequently lampoon the publisher's opponents.”

To this day, editorials continue to take on a more personally biased approach, but the news as well has become similar in reporting their stories. Such forms of persuasion might take that of liberal, conservative, mainstream or corporate bias.

It becomes clear that certain boundaries or limits must be installed in order for the truth to be preserved. Such organizations like FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, Inc.) and Media Matters for America, are just two of these groups focused on protecting the public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints

When strong bias do seem to slip past surveillance it is groups like hispanics, poor African neighborhoods, youth and the elderly that are targeted. Countless stories arise with negative opinions concerning certain races and age groups, like the immigration of Mexicans crossing the border, the all too common unmotivated high school graduate, those dependent on food stamps, and even the tension between the Palestinians and Israelis.

We are surrounded by such controversial reports as these. The task to seek unbiased, unmasked, raw news becomes more difficult with each passing generation. The line becomes blurred as to what is an expression of freedom of speech and what is false reporting. It shouldn't be a chore of the general public's to have to regularly critique the news we hear. As in the 19th century, there should be a difference between an editorial and news report, and the minority groups and those more vulnerable should be protected somehow from the continual cliche criticism they receive.

Imagine a world where bias opinions no longer existed. We could trust news sources full heartedly, knowing that there service was not an attempt to persuade us but inform us. We could actually believe what they said, displacing our skeptical minds for educated and knowledgeable minds. We would have the right to form our own opinions about the world, free from anyone telling us what we should think. A world without bias, or perhaps more obtainable, a news system with neutral views would be the preferable, most beneficial, most American approach to reporting. After all, isn't the golden promise of the United States is that of free will and independent opinion? Such cannot be obtained if we are continually influenced by the professional sources we are told we can trust.

We are faced with a dilemma however, as we do not live in a bias free world. To say that we will not eventually obtain such is unknown to us, but what we can know is what we will do about it. We the people of the United States have a voice. The general public is the United States. If we made an effort to avoid bias in our own lives, on a smaller scale, perhaps we could start to bring about a neutral medium to everyday life in America. It starts with you and me making a difference in the small things. We may not control the big shot news companies, but we can control our tongue. It is not to say one cannot voice their personal opinions, but when doing so make it clear that they are one's own, and never distort the truth. If one truly believes a certain way, one should not have to rely on false representation in order to convince their audience.

College Debate over Creationism

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." This is found in the book of Genesis, chapter two, verse seven, of the Bible.

Schools these days teach evolution, and how the world came into being through a series of combustible activity. They speak of how we were dealt a lucky hand in that life on earth was established when a Big Bang exploded in the sky. Indeed, there might have been a big bang, but not by accident. It did not take billions of years, but merely six days (thats less than a week) to complete creation, wrought by a sovereign God with unlimited power. Yet we are not taught this in most schools. Instead, we are told how the world and even the complexity and perfect functioning of the present human body, down to the alignment of every cell and its forming of our organs, can come from the evolving of simpler more flawed creatures. I beg to differ.

The eye itself is comprised of in numerous mechanical pieces. From the hundreds of cells, to the thousands of proteins, to how the eye reacts to light and expands in darkness, to the clarity of the lens and how it can focus from even a great distance, to even how the brain sorts through the information the eye sends, and creates an image for us to understand. This organ is complicated to the highest degree, and could not have developed over time. After all, how did evolution know the eye was needed when there was no telling there was anything to see? It must have been intentionally created. Not to mention that if chance could throw together a masterpiece such as the eye, then why can't we, with our intelligent minds, duplicate that same organ to give sight to the blind?

Do you know of any building that did not have a builder? Do you know of any book that did not have a writer? Do you know of any song that did not have a composer? How about this one: Do you know of any world that did not have a Maker?

Sir Fred Hoyle, British mathematician and astronomer, was quoted in Nature magazine, November 12, 1981, as saying, "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein."

Why then is this theory of evolution being taught to the future generations? Perhaps because many truly believe it. Perhaps because many do not wish to admit there is a God. It is obvious though, that throughout the world and for thousands of years, mankind have sought for a higher power. They seek something or someone to worship. They seek a dictator, a leader, a judge. The Muslims believe in Allah, Hindu does Buddha, and the early Egyptians gave reverence to a sun God amongst many others. In America, we too seek to worship and reverend something or someone, be it materialistic gain, fame, or a celebrity. The only conclusion we can draw is that we as humans are wired with a like mind, a hunger if you will, to put our trust in something.

Beyond this instinct of ours, there is more in nature that proves that we were created. Take a look at a common number that streams through all of the universe. There are 3,168 furlongs in the Earth’s radius, 31,680 miles in its perimeter, and when you add up the “square circle of the earth”, it totals 31,680 miles. All of these examples of the same number can only mean one thing. There is a common thread tying together all of nature. Further more, there is a fingerprint in all of the universe.

One of the main illustrations of evolution is how we came from monkeys. In truth, we do have similar characteristics to the chimpanzee. To name a few: we share 85-95% of the same DNA, we often eat a common diet, we both use a form of communication (theirs done mostly through grunts, hoots, even screams), and we both love to socialize and show affection be it hugging, giving a friendly pat or even tickling. Yes... even tickling. But one problem still seems to stand in the way of them being our ancestors. If evolution is the refining for a better creature, and we are that better and more accomplished creature, why then do chimpanzees still exist? Why do sloths exist? And why did the Woolly Mammoth become extinct?

There are answers to these questions. The answers do not hide from us, and they are at our grasp. They all point to one explanation. We are not alone in this universe. We have a Creator.

By the power of His words the world came into being. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. He molded the mountains and opened the valleys with just His voice. The waters, so deep and untamed, He constrained them about with beaches of fine sand and precarious and lofty cliffs. The seed He folded into the soil, and nursing it with care, it bore goodly fruits. 6 days and the work was complete. And yet as amazing as it all was, the best creation was mankind. The only, in which He breathed life into from His own self.

People will always seek proof and evidence of how the world came into existence. And indeed, as we have seen, there is proof but we often tend to forget the evidence that surrounds us. The evidence manifesting before our very eyes. When we first hold a newborn, or when our bodies fight a virus, or when we find ourselves falling in love for the first time. The things of the heart… emotions… our ever nagging consciousness… even how the earth spins and how we manage to not fall off. WE are that evidence that there is a Creator, and that life is an intentional creation. Not only is life intentional but we, you and me, are beautifully and wonderfully made by a sovereign God. And we have a purpose.

The Controversy Over Wolves

So this is an editorial I wrote for school. It's the first draft so a tad rough around the edges.

The controversy over whether or not wolves are a threat or an endangered species seem to rattle in the balance these days. We have both extremists and everything in between. Yet what are the facts that field researchers and biologists are coming up with? After much research I have come to realize that, like any other animal, wolves do best when left alone. We should not worry over the elks existence and daily habits because they do not kill many elk, they build up these herds rather, and they help sustain plant life.

The accusations against wolves often are linked with the diminishing population of elk. People claim they are the reason for the elk changing their migration patterns, for obtaining more diseases, and even for dying of starvation. According to researcher Arthur Middleton, that is not the case. "[Elk] on average, encounter wolves once every 9 days,” He states, “Elk did move slightly more when wolves were within 1 kilometer, but not by much. They only traveled an extra 30 meters per hour.” That is not frequent enough to affect even their body fat, which is yet another misconception about wolves. These canines travel up to 500 miles. They do not stalk a herd of elk beyond a single meal.

What about when they do? What about when they prey on elk and chase them down to feed on them? One point, which is almost never mentioned, is the fact that when these canines do prey on elk they do not go for the strongest. They kill the weakest, the young ones, or the old and injured. "Wolves help insure that the healthiest elk thrive and reproduce,” says one professor at Carroll College. Jonathan Matthews spends his time studying and researching on this topic, and has brought to the table much knowledge that otherwise would be left unsaid. “Generations of elk have suffered functional decline during the decades that wolves have been missing from Montana."  This clearly states the need for a population of wolves in an area. What a landscaper might do to a garden, pruning the trees and weeding, the wolves do to the herds. They encourage the top elk to rear up strong generations, while cutting out the weaker animals.

Another point Jonathan states is the fact that wolves help maintain healthy vegetation. Indeed, this might sound a little odd. To the average, unlearned American, it would seem wolves only kill and destroy. This is not the case.  "With elk no longer able to graze lazily in the river bottoms, they are no longer eating willow and cottonwood sprouts, so the unnaturally bare banks are greening,... [the wolves] are creating habitats that support insects, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals." And this is not all. There have been countless situations where elk, bored and endlessly wandering, have found themselves to ranchers’ fields and their crops. Wolves help by keeping them on the move, thus giving vegetation a chance to survive and thrive. Without wolves, this couldn't happen.

Will all this evidence, it becomes clear that wolves truly are not a threat. Indeed, they do hunt elk. Indeed, they can be aggressive. But what shall we then say? Shall we accuse these animals of trying to survive? Shall we accuse them for hunting to feed their young ones? Shall we accuse them of first degree murder? As we have seen, they benefit the herds and surrounding wildlife in numerous ways. Without these wild canines, the animal kingdom would fall apart. So why not stand back and watch nature take care of itself? It has for thousands of years.

A voice to the voiceless

So the previous post, you might have been curious as to what I was specifically talking about. Curious? Well, I dare say... I'll remain silent on the matter. Lol But I will dare to share some other bit of great news.
Over the past few months - or rather since last fall - I have been quietly contemplating the idea of going to school again. I had always loved studying but was afraid I would be wasting time in a four walled room when I could be spending it out and doing something. It took me a long time to finally realize that in order to do what God had called me to, I needed to attend college and be trained. In what you might say?
Have you ever heard of Doctors Without Borders? In short, it's an independent organization of well trained medical staff who travel oversea to aid those who are less fortunate. Anyone from victims of natural or man-made disasters, to the ill fallen of plagues and diseases, to the casualties of war to pretty much anyone else who are neglected. They address the governments and other social organizations to help the needy of their country and ultimately be the voice for the voiceless. With the help of God they can give the inflicted hope... hope for another day and hope for many more days after that. If you are interested in reading more, you can visit their site at: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
I too have always wanted to help the most needed. Those who no one else would help. I didn't care about the danger (though I would be careful, such a trivial thing never mattered to me). Honestly, how could I live so comfortably in America when people struggle to survive everyday in other countries?
After much praying the Lord at last revealed the plans He had for my future. Plans that involved Doctors Without Borders. He showed me small glimpses of what He wanted me to do and where He wanted me to be; a short picture of what He had in store for me, and such was enough. Before I knew it, I was sending in my application for admission and writing essays for scholarships. So now as I await my eligibility for school grants, I prepare for the coming adventure ahead.
I know I cannot afford this next step. I could not even afford a month of the schooling I need, but God will provide a way. He always does even if it be at the eleventh hour. I'm happy because I get to trust in Him, knowing I am finally beginning the journey of my life long dream. If only it could happen sooner. Lol

All I can think of is when I finally get to board that plane and travel across seas. When I finally get to carry the hurting children. When I finally get to hold the hand of the elderly. When I will finally look into their faces and smile and tell them there is hope. When I get to tell them that their cry was heard. When I get to tell them about Jesus. That day I eagerly await for.

"Help those who no one else will help..."

Hey everyone! =) Sorry its taken so long to write again. *whew* You probably didn't notice my absence but... anyways... A lot has happened since March 27. Goodness gracious that was a century ago! Lol Well anyhow, my life since then in short, my sister and I have moved out and are living on our own. I've started a job at a preserves place right down town and just a few blocks from where I live. I've neglected writing and music almost altogether and... hmm been dreaming of Mexico. Haha Can't get much more exciting than that can it? jk

Well a lot has been on my mind (other than work and Mexico). For one, I'm trying to figure what the Lord's plan is for my life. To my Pa without question it would writing and music. To others a career in nursing or a classical pianist and violinist. While all of those sound amazing and some I may be a little good at (not the classical part) my heart seems to be continually wandering elsewhere. To a place I'm not even sure. For a long while it has actually, and I've always just ignored it and figured "when the time came". Well... the time is now, isn't it? I mean I'm eighteen going on nineteen and most people my age already know what they want to do with their life. I did too I thought but now I wonder if it's my desire, my Pa's or... God's.

I want what God wants. I just... I'm not sure what that is and how to get to it. Lemme explain a bit. I've always had a passion for helping other people. I don't care in the least how dangerous it is, if the Lord is with me what have I to fear?... except spiders. =P Consider Haiti or the hidden tribes in South America's jungle. The people no one even knows about or doesn't want to know about. The people that are the most needy, and as busy as my life is, I cannot rest until I find them and help them. I'm not educated in medical at all and neither am I the strongest Christian who can heal the sick (tho i do know that with God anything is possible). Point is I'm not special, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to go to the ends of the earth to find these needy people.

A bit ago I prayed to God about this very thing and He answered (no not literally. altho how amazing that would be!) He spoke to my heart. He didn't make everything clear to me what my future was, but I heard Him say this much and since then I can't get these words out of my head: "Be like me. Help those that need me the most. Help those who can't help themselves. Help those who no one else will help."

Is collage a bad influence?

For many, collage is a blessing and a launch pad for fulfilling ones dreams. But what about for Christians? Many believers in Jesus have found themselves falling away and eventually turning from the Lord altogether? Is collage to blame? Is it ever a good thing for a Christian to go to collage? While there can be numerous benefits from this kind of schooling (i.e. learning a trade and being offered great job opportunities) still is there a risk being taken.

For instance... evolution. Anyone can tell you that such theories and field of study is entirely against God's Word. Yet in collage, it seems that many said Christian seem to tolerate it and many times begin to believe such ideas. Such teachings are dangerous waters for the Christian and unless one is strong in their faith and their relationship with Jesus, it is highly probable that a Christian can become "slack" and even begin to doubt the existence of their Maker. Even still, is all the blame to be put on the teachers and curriculum?

Peer pressure has a major part in negatively effecting a student as well, young or old. From elementary schools on to life careers, always will there be this struggle between what you know is right and what everyone else is doing. For the Christian, peer pressure can be magnified a thousands times more stronger, and unfortunately the students of highschool and collage struggle with it the most. Being continually in an enviroment where the Bible and Jesus is put down and scowled upon one's faith can be greatly effected; either causing the individual to draw further from the Lord and weaker in their faith... or stronger and closer to God. One of these is bound to happen and regrettably, the first will most often occur.

To say in a few words, collage is not easy. It is a child who often enters those doors in the fall and four years later walks out an adult with a degree and prepared for a life-long career. It is like the last shaping of one's character before one steps out into the world alone. Collage, though for many only running a course of four years, can effect any individual greatly. It is a time in one's life where one can expect change. It is a time in one's life as well where one can expect to be tempted and pressured into something where they would otherwise not do. For the Christian, it can indeed be very dangerous waters. It can be a battlefield and that is why it cannot be taking lightly. Of course, it can be a springboard into assisting one to stepping out on their own, and for the the Christian it can be a great ministry field. Yet in order for this to happen, one must come to collage prepared, not to get prepared. Collage itself isn't bad, it just demands the best out of every individual... including for the Christian.