Bella, do you Michael Ware who has been reporting the news from Iraq now for years? He has been a voice in the wilderness.

I have a little internal war going over Rupert Murdoch, the Aussie. On one hand, I am horrified to see an individual with Murdoch’s level of media power and control. The media is supposedly an independent “estate”, protected by the Constitution, and the last bastion of freedom with its ability to criticize the government without fear of reprisal. Murdoch’s ability to exercise his influence through many outlets, and to quash less powerful more independent voices, virtually eliminates that protection. Today, takeovers and consolidations and buyouts are the norm. Murdoch is exemplary of what money and timing will allow. Obviously he’s using his newspapers to push his philosophy and agenda and undoubtedly there are some Americans who will agree with every word. I’m not one of them and I won’t watch Fox or read any of the Murdoch-owned papers, and that’s the part of my internal war that makes me ask the question…what’s wrong with the American public? None of us HAS to read, listen to, or watch any part of Murdoch’s growing empire. It’s called “boycotting” and it can be an effective form of resistance. But it’s got to start at home. Up to this point the internet is still uncensored (except in China) and it is where I turn to get my news. NPR and Bill Moyers and some of the journalists mentioned by other writers are also voices I pay attention to. At the same time we work aggressively to change or enforce the laws, we can vehemently refuse to give Murdoch one minute of our time or one penny of our money.

I sense some projection from Dr. McGinniss (sic). Boycott Murdoch. Eliminate your children’s MySpace pages at the same time. Seems like a deal to me.

Mark I’m reposting the following in the hope you will read it and take it to heart thou i doubt that a man as rigid in his outlook about women and life is capable of grasping this: Dr. Klein: one man to another—do you actually think you have a clue about marriage, life and the relationships people have? From the looks of it you seem to be in another century than I am. Or maybe another planet. And what was that planet’s name again, eh Mark? Planet Neanderthal? Well holy shit Mark—time for you took a good look at your attitudes about women. Man if my Anne had met you you’d have the blackest eye in the house. Probably two of them and a swift kick in the balls to go with them.You must be of that generation of men that wants the little woman back in the kitchen, dressed in a pretty frock like Donna Reed, slaving away for your enjoyment, producing oodles of little Marks, and still ready for a roll in the hay at night. Mark have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation? Uh in case you forgot it was passed in 1863—that’s the 19th century Mark. Remember? Or are were you still pissing and moaning about Appomattox? Inflated sense of personal entitlement? Where the hell do you get these phrases? Your local sports bar? Neurotic uppity gals, eh Mark? Whoa! And I betcha you say gals, don’t ya Mark? Well, Markie, old boy, I had 25 years with the most wonderful woman in the world. She was smart, vivacious, highly educated and taught me how to use the dishwasher. She expected respect and got it and showed me compassion and loving-kindness after Vietnam. We shared everything the good and the bad, the hope and the glory of living together as two loving people. What more could I ask of her than she asked of me. We were completely equal in ever way. And I thank the gods for her every day of my life. She’s the heroine, hell, the hero of my life for all time. You should be so fricking lucky, Mark.