Promoting Free Speech

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We, the People remain powerful when we are well informed.  To stay informed, we need strong, independent news outlets.  One of those outlets is Democracy Now!.  If you are not familiar with it, Democracy Now! is a national, daily, independent news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.  Many folks might not know about DN!.  Some might not have access to it.  If you would like to help expand the reach of this valuable news source, consider one or more of the suggestions below taken from a larger list on their website.

You also might want to subscribe to the Democracy Now! Daily Digest (an email summary of the headlines and stories for the day).

  • Bring DN!to YOUR Community — Often, stations add Democracy Now! to their schedules in response to requests from the community. Ask YOUR STATIONS today! Locate a Campaign. Click on YOUR state and scroll down to the bottom of the stations listing, to see if there is already a campaign in your area. If not, START ONE!
  • Spread the Word— Just because DN! already airs in a community, it doesn’t mean people know about it. There are a number of ways for individuals and groups to spread the word.
  • Volunteer— Democracy Now! relies heavily on the support of its volunteers. You may volunteer at our studio/office in New York City or from your own home. Volunteers also help at Amy Goodman’s speaking events.
  • Attend DN!Events — Check our Calendar of Events to find out when Amy Goodman will be in your community, and then tell all your friends. Also consider volunteering at one of these events if it is in your area.
  • Weekly Column— Amy Goodman has a nationally syndicated weekly newspaper column. Write the editor of your local paper today and tell them you want to see it included.

 

10 Investigative Reporting Outlets to Follow

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A major theme of seekingGood remains the contention that we must be well informed in order to act in such a way as to arrive at the Good we seek. These days, the truth appears to be more fluid than ever, requiring both diligence and patient to find it. Here is a list of sources recommended by venerable journalist Bill Moyers that you might find useful.

 

We, the People: Black or White Hats, Shirts or Skins?

by c. alexander parms

Which is Good?

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(Photo: c. alexander parms/www.seekinggood.blog)

Such categories are never real.  Nor have they ever been. But we like to feel in control, that we know this and that with an assurance that allows us to move forward into the world with confidence.  Sadly, too often, such clarity is not to be had. Us and Them is always a fiction, a shorthand used to bind us together and to give the appearance that we combat a common, definable foe.  The recent political rally in Newark, New Jersey—touted as “Our First Act of Resistance”—clearly accentuated the greyness of the political arena.

With more than 600 people in attendance, the focus of the rally was to “stop the Republican attempt to dissolve the Affordable Care Act (ACA)”.  Politicians and leaders of various community organizations presented statistics regarding how many New Jersians (this was a regional rally) would lose their healthcare if the act is repealed.  A few citizens (non-elected officials) testified how ACA had changed their lives, pulling them back from the brink of a single illness driving them into financial ruin. As with all rallies, speakers led chants such as “People united will never be defeated!” and “Fired up, ready to go!” The audience was jazzed, ready to dive into whatever action was proposed.  This was a political rally, after all.  It all sounded “good”.  Or did it? (more…)

Find an ally you can trust

As we move forward into what will probably be a difficult time, we need to marshal our energy around an idea, a movement, a collection of activities through which we can find and establish Good.  We never really know who we can trust.  Perhaps this guy, this 44th President in whom so many invested so much hope might be a future partner.  Since he is not planning to fade away, you might want to get to know him a little better.

via The Audacity of Hope: A Reading List on Barack Obama — Longreads