DODGE CITY, Kan. - Did you ever wonder what shapes people's opinions about their country, their politics, or their world? I suspect that, for most of us, the answer is, "It's what we watch, listen to, and read." For others, it may be simply whatever their parents, family, or friends believe. For those with the latter choice, one probably can't do much to change their outlook. For the others, it might be interesting just to ask people you meet, "What do you watch, listen to, and read?" I'd be interested in what is read, watched, etc. by the folks who read Kansas Free Press.
For openers, I'll tell you some of my choices. On TV, I watch MSNBC, you know: Countdown, Rachel Maddow, etc. Of course they "lean left" (only I call it "practice progressive thinking"), but I get so fed up with the so-called liberal media, which it is NOT. I listen to NPR with All Things Considered to get the real news and I like to watch The News Hour with Jim Lehrer on Public TV.
My local daily newspaper doesn't have much of an editorial policy, but I read it every day just to keep up on local events. I also read a good regional daily, even though it means I must tolerate the lousy, right-wing rantings of the likes of Pat Buchanan and Cal Thomas. To balance that, I read a weekly compilation of editorial op/ed pieces that are taken from various papers around the nation. That publication is called Liberal Opinion Week and features excellent writers, such as E.J. Dionne, Jr., Nicholas Kristof, Economist Paul Krugman, Tom Friedman, Helen Thomas, Jules Witcover, and others. It is a terrific little paper and I would be glad to share addresses and subscription rates with anyone interested.
My favorite magazines are The American Prospect and The Nation. Among others, William Greider and Jane Mayer write for them and I especially respect their insight. The on-line columns are many, but include (besides Kansas Free Press, of course) Truthout and Everyday Citizen.
The most recent books I've read and would recommend include True Compass, the autobiography of Ted Kennedy. You won't want to put it down.The photographs are wonderful and include some you won't have seen before. The Wrecking Crew
by Thomas Franks is even better than his What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America
, and describes what happens when you literally assign the foxes to guard the hen house. The Shack
by William P. Young is a story of a grieving man's encounter with God, who appears an old black woman he meets in a mountain shack, along with Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.
The Founding Fathers Reconsidered
by R.B. Bernstein is a good historical account of how the "founding fathers" worked out the details of building a constitution and a government for a new nation. I found it fascinating because it gives such a sense of perspective that even reflects on we make political decisions today. It will challenge you to think deeply about how this nation developed.
Finally, I just bought a new book entitled Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDann. The title refers to half the world's population, which holds up "half the sky." This half is made up of the women of the world. The book is about the troubles and travails that exist for women in many parts of the world. I am eager to get started reading it.
Incidentally, after wishing for a long time, I finally bought a Kindle
, and I am loving it! I would highly recommend it or some type of electronic book for anyone who feels lost without a book. This is one you can always have with you.
There! Now I have told you what influences me. Are any of you interested in sharing your thoughts? I find myself wondering... is any of this what's the matter with Kansas?
Perhaps! Perhaps.....
Ethel this is a great column. I learned new things, too. I had never heard of Liberal Opinion Week! Ted Kennedy's book looks good. Can't wait to read it.
Great stuff, Ethel! Fascinating article. Thanks for the good leads. And thanks for celebrating books. Even with 100 cable stations it's hard to find anything that engages the mind for more than a few minutes. But there are unlimited treasures awaiting in books. I eagerly await your next suggestions.