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Mark
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Jul 01, 2013 01:12AM
Michael -- You're right. It's a global apocalypse waiting to happen, but Republicans have contrived already to "relax" many of the regulatory restrictions imposed after the last debacle, and are pressing relentlessly to eliminate the rest under the usual theological guise of worship of the magical "invisible hand" of the marketplace, and anyway, if you can't trust Wall Street bankers (to eviscerate you), then whom can you trust?
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Read ''The Web of Debt'' for a brutally honest account of how the big banks are manipulating world economies. It's heavy going in parts, but fascinating - and terrifying at the same time. It explains the truth behind the story ''The Wizard of Oz'', and the history of how the powers-that-be in the banking industry grasped control of the financial world for their benefit, and are creating world poverty for personal gain.
Mod
Web of Debt by Ellen Hodgson Brown
By the way, Michael, Work Choices is a classic example of media exaggeration and misrepresentation influencing voters. Yes, it was poorly conceived and implemented and caused some grief in some sectors, but it was a response to an urgent need for change to protect employers from unconsionable employees who abused unfair dismissal laws and other employee rights legislation to do serious harm to people who staked their life savings to give other people job opportunities. A judge told me that 98% of unfair dismissal cases she heard were fake claims by lazy, greedy, unemployable workers who had figured out how to get employers to pay them '''p...off'' money, and employers settled claims because it was cheaper than fighting in a system geared against them.
The media delighted in the opportunity to make the Government of the day out to be boogie men and to play on public sympathy for workers who claimed to be exploited and bullied. It could have equally shown how some employers were abused and their businesses put at risk by employees whose expectations were unreasonable and who had no desire to earn their keep. But that wouldn't have stirred nearly as much public response, would it?
Sadly, our journalists have far too much power and influence, and far too little conscience and integrity.
Politics, politics.... Whatever happened to books? :-)"Sadly, our journalists have far too much power and influence, and far too little conscience and integrity."
Having worked as a journalist from the age of 18 to 72, Lorraine, I have to say this is a grossly unfair and untrue indictment of the profession.
From my reading the US media are just reporting developments. I haven't been following editorial comment. But you won't find newspapers like The New York Times and the Washington Post simply toeing the government line. (Assange has been getting a good run in the NY Times and other papers.)There is a long history of investigative journalism with these and other newspapers in the United States digging out facts governments would prefer to keep secret. Remember Watergate and the Pentagon Papers. US media have given wide coverage to Daniel Ellsberg calling the Snowden revelations the most “significant disclosure” in the nation’s history.I worked for The New York Times for 15 years and while it's not as good as it used to be it is still quite often a pain in Washington's backside.
Sorry Ian. Of course I was generalizing and there are exceptions in every profession. It's the noisy minority that give the majority a bad name. And it's true of book writers too! We writers have the power to ''nudge the world a little'' - changing thinking, that in turn changes the political, social and economic landscape. Some use that power well. But like soldiers and politicians, many abuse the power. And inevitably it's the ones who abuse the power who get the most attention - except of course when there's a vocal and controversial expose by an investigative journalist brave enough to expose an unpalatable truth.
But back to the topic of books... and also on using the pen to expose unpalatable (political and social) truths... I received a review on Goodreads community today of my book, The Pencil Case. To say I was blown away would be a gross understatement. Actually, I cried for joy. The reviewer also posted on her blog at http://treesofreverie.tumblr.com/post...WOW! Thank you Sarah!
Mod
That's fantastic Lorraine...congratulations! Do you have your own thread in the Author section so you can tell everyone there, and promote it too? http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...
Ian wrote: "From my reading the US media are just reporting developments. I haven't been following editorial comment. But you won't find newspapers like The New York Times and the Washington Post simply toein..."I cannot speak to the state of investigative journalism outside the United States, but I do believe it has changed radically within the US since the years when you were most active professionally. I have not seen ONE editorial in one major American media outlet that has not rabidly demonized Edward Snowden for doing both his country and the world an inestimable service by disclosing the iniquitous acts of this government -- at immeasurable personal cost. And this includes MSNBC, in which the howls of execration directed at Snowden were almost unremitting. (I'll exclude one feature by Laurence O'Donnell, which explained that Snowden had not *technically* committed treason.) It is, frankly, impossible for me to believe that networks and newspapers were not leaned on -- and with the weight of Godzilla -- by the government, and that no sane reporter or editor who wanted to remain employed could refuse to join the chorus of anathematization. Apropos of The Pentagon Papers, I believe if the NYT had made those disclosures today, everyone involved would be undergoing prosecution for treason or for espionage. (Our Constitution technically stipulates that it's impossible to commit treason when the country isn't officially at war, which it hasn't been since World War II. We no longer bother with niceties like declaring our insane, unjustifiable military adventures in the Middle East. This has not stopped practically every commentator in the country from accusing Snowden of treason .) Citizens dumber than a box of rocks exposed to this relentless barrage of Snowden-bashing have naturally (as was intended) lost sight of what Snowden exposed: that they're all being cyber-raped, unremittingly, by their own government. Of course, the EU (and Australia, I would imagine) have taken a somewhat dimmer view of this evil and grotesque invasion of their privacy by an ostensibly friendly power.
Thanks Brenda. I do now. It took a while to find my way around Goodreads, so thanks for your advice.
Ian, I'm sure journalists are leaned on constantly, from many directions. By way of example, a few years ago I was involved in something that attracted a prominent journalist's attention and he wrote a major feature story that would undoubtedly have been of very significant public interest. It never went to print. He phoned me to say that the editor had canned it and ''there are paper bags of money flying everywhere''. Certain powerful people had good cause to want to hush the story, and now, years later, I have information that suggests Government corruption may have been at the heart of the affair. Perhaps its unfair to criticize journalists. They have a right to protect themselves. The criticism should be of the powers that lean on them - media moguls included, I strongly suspect.
Lorraine wrote: "Ian, I'm sure journalists are leaned on constantly, from many directions. By way of example, a few years ago I was involved in something that attracted a prominent journalist's attention and he wro..."I agree completely that it is unfair to blame journalists. No one should feel compelled by journalistic ethics to commit professional (and perhaps personal) seppuku. Journalists do have a right to protect themselves. The blame does endue 100% to the vile and corrupt "powers that lean on them."
By the way, congrats, Lorraine, on receiving a GR community review of your book! It's an interesting title; I'll have to take a look.
Mod
You're welcome:)
Sorry to just randomly butt in here but I just wanted to say I start my new job at Dymock's tomorrow. I'm very excited. I've already put aside some books that I want to buy. Hope my staff discount is effective immediately!!!!!
That sounds amazing, good luck Elaine. Discounted book would be sick
Elaine wrote: "Sorry to just randomly butt in here but I just wanted to say I start my new job at Dymock's tomorrow. I'm very excited. I've already put aside some books that I want to buy. Hope my staff discount ..."Congrats on the new job Elaine. Try not to spend too much of your first pay on those books :)
Mod
Good luck Elaine! Have a great first day, and enjoy it all:)
Thank you all. Sharon I think it's too late for that...I've already earmarked all the books I want to buy!!! I'm going to be like a kid in a lolly shop for the first few weeks. I agree Jess discounted books would be great.
Elaine wrote: "Thank you all. Sharon I think it's too late for that...I've already earmarked all the books I want to buy!!! I'm going to be like a kid in a lolly shop for the first few weeks. I agree Jess discoun..."How big is your discount?
Congratulations Elaine. No good me considering a job like that. I'd be bankrupt in the first week and spend all my wages paying off money I'd borrowed to buy books and book shelves. But then... I'd probably be fired in the first hour for reading instead of serving customers!
Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thank you all. Sharon I think it's too late for that...I've already earmarked all the books I want to buy!!! I'm going to be like a kid in a lolly shop for the first few weeks. I agr..."Not really sure yet Liam. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
Lorraine wrote: "Congratulations Elaine. No good me considering a job like that. I'd be bankrupt in the first week and spend all my wages paying off money I'd borrowed to buy books and book shelves. But then... I'd..."Thanks Lorraine. I'm going to have to exert a lot of self control I think, not to spend all my pay on books. I've noticed the other girls reading when it's quiet so I don't think you'd get fired for that. Plus how am I supposed to give recommendations if I'm not allowed to read the books?? Lol!!
Michael wrote: "Congratulations Elaine what a thrill to be working in a bookstore and to have the added bonus of discounted books. You will be in heavan. :)"Thanks Michael...yes definitely a dream job and probably as close to heaven as I'm gonna get. Lol!!!
Mod
Thanks Michael...yes definitely a dream job and probably as close to heaven as I'm gonna get. Lol!!! ..."
Haha!!!
Congrats Elaine - I'd be dreadful in a bookstore, as it's a family joke that bookshops cause me to be magnetically drawn into them. I can't imagine what I'd be like if I worked in one. As it is, that "One Click" purchase feature on Amazon now that I have a kindle is bad enough!
Elaine, Very clever of you to procure employment in an place you love! 'so many books, so little time'. Enjoy!
Thank you Leonie and Bette. It took me 45 years well maybe half of that to get this job and I loved my first day. Oh and the perks are great. I got an uncorrected proof of Christos Tsiolkas' new book, which isn't out till October, to read and review. Although not a massive fan I'm still pretty excited by that. My husband and I knew him at Uni so it will be a bonus to read his book.
Great to hear your first day went well Elaine :)
Mod
Wow that is fantastic Elaine! So glad you enjoyed your first day, and it sounds like you'll be doing lots more reading, especially ARCs! Awesome!
Sounds like a wonderful job Elaine :)
Sounds like you had a fabulous first day! And a book as well - just perfect ;)
Thank you all...I had an awesome first day, even though there was so much to take in. I hope it's always like that. I think every booklover should work in a book shop or a library. No matter how busy or hard the job is, being surrounded by books makes it all worthwhile.
Mod
A person who works in a job they love is a lucky person indeed Elaine:)
Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thank you all...I had an awesome first day, even though there was so much to take in. I hope it's always like that. I think every booklover should work in a book shop or a library. N..."Absolutely true Brenda. Confucius said "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life". I am very fortunate and blessed I have finally found that job.
Mod
You would be in a minority Elaine, as probably a high percentage dislike their jobs.
Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thank you all...I had an awesome first day, even though there was so much to take in. I hope it's always like that. I think every booklover should work ..."Yes, sadly Brenda I think that's true. Like a lot of people I spent many years working in the banking sector and as much as I loved the cutomer contact, I was never really passionate about my job.
Mod
And now you will be:)
Elaine wrote: "Thank you Leonie and Bette. It took me 45 years well maybe half of that to get this job and I loved my first day. Oh and the perks are great. I got an uncorrected proof of Christos Tsiolkas' new bo..."Whoo-hoo! The perks are already starting!
While I was returning a book to the library yesterday, one of the librarians asked me if I would be interested in reviewing and recommending books for them.'Interested?' says me (mentally doing a little leap). "hmm, that sounds great" I replied, trying vainly to appear really calm and collected. I think I may have skipped all the way home:)
Bette wrote: "While I was returning a book to the library yesterday, one of the librarians asked me if I would be interested in reviewing and recommending books for them.'Interested?' says me (mentally doing a ..."
Good on you Bette what a great opportunity.
Mod
'Interested?' says me (mentally doing a ..."
Wow Bette! That is awesome:) Congratulations and enjoy!
That's great, Bette! It rarely happens on GR, but has anyone noticed many deranged, abusive commenters on Amazon, lately? I recently posted a review, and some cretin unleashed all sorts of insults and abuse, for no apparent reason. (So I pointed out that his grammar was bad. :) )
Mark wrote: "That's great, Bette! It rarely happens on GR, but has anyone noticed many deranged, abusive commenters on Amazon, lately? I recently posted a review, and some cretin unleashed all sorts of insult..."It happened to a reviewer on another GR group who didn't like a book and the author was literally abusive on Amazon. Not only was he abusive to that reviewer, he was verbally violent even in GR discussions about his book with other GR users.
Bette wrote: "While I was returning a book to the library yesterday, one of the librarians asked me if I would be interested in reviewing and recommending books for them.'Interested?' says me (mentally doing a ..."
Good on you Bette for scoring such an amazing gig!!! I think as readers we can all relate to the euphoria you're feeling. It's a great feeling being able to do more with something you're already so passionate about.
I had a rather scary experience the other night.. I called my parents at around 1 AM and telling them I was in trouble thinking I was having a heart attack. I was then called Health Direct ad told them what I was going through and they advised me to go to hospital so my father took me ( we don't live far from each other )
Minutes turned into hours and hours.. waiting and wondering Did I have a heart attack? The worry alone was consuming me. But I kept trying to think of happy moments in my life to try and remain calm.
I had a massive anxiety attack and was told "it can strike anyone, anywhere at anytime"
I didn't feel stressed.. or anxious I was just watching a comedy DVD and all of a sudden it just hit me like a bolt of lightening..
I was turning gasping for air ad had tightness in the chest. I thought I was indeed a goner.
I thought I was going to die.
I had plenty of tests and it turns out my heart and lungs are fine which is great news. I have been told to take it easy and try and remain relaxed.
My heart rate was above normal.. and that was a bit of concern.. and it still was high last they checked it... But they put that down to.. "some people could just be like that "
I never want to go through that again.. So now I am on the road to try and calm down from that whole experience.
( sorry for the long message ) Just wanted to let everyone know that although I am not always on here.. I am doing alright and improving the best way I can.
Take care and good health to all! :)
Mod
Brenda wrote: "That's certainly scary Liz! I hope it doesn't happen again to you. Take care:)"Thank you Brenda.. I even took pictures while I was in hospital..
I guess its a reminder to myself.. "better yourself and don't end back up here"
But since it was all of a sudden and how it all felt it was best to get checked since my family has a history of heart disease. So its best to be safe for sure.
But thank you once again Brenda. :) I hope things are well with you!
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