Thinking about Censorship

censorship |ˈsensərˌ sh ip|
the practice of officially examining books, movies, etc., and suppressing unacceptable parts : details of the visit were subject to military censorship.
*Apple Dictionary
First a humorous look from Joseph Heller's Catch-22 -second paragraph...

There are many definitions available for the word "censorship." This link provides many - here is one:

"Censorship is the suppression of ideas and information that certain persons -- individuals, groups or government officials -- find objectionable or dangerous. It is no more complicated than someone saying, "Don't let anyone read this book, or buy that magazine, or view that film, because I object to it!" Censors try to use the power of the state to impose their view of what is truthful and appropriate, or offensive and objectionable, on everyone else. Censors pressure public institutions, like libraries, to suppress and remove from public access information they judge inappropriate or dangerous, so that no one else has the chance to read or view the material and make up their own minds about it. The censor wants to prejudge materials for everyone."

This definition reminds us that censorship doesn't just happen - it is the result of human action - the censors. Censors are fallible human beings, just like you and me, whose job is to ensure that the censorship process is successfully executed. But they are not lone actors.

Censors are part of the censorship system - a system that requires an organized effort to circumscribe the world view to which the masses are exposed. Some censors are the master deciders tasked with a strategic plan to present a false reality to the public that suits what they perceive will ultimately lead to the realization of their goals. Some censors are involved at another level - where they must specifically pick out which information may present a threat to the master plan - and task others to target those groups, newspapers, bloggers, poets, artists, scientists, engineers, and children - with specific tools available to ensure they will not cross the lines defined by the strategists. And there are certain fallible human beings whose job, as censor, it is to get on television, radio, or other media and sell the censored product to the citizenry. That means - their job in the censorship apparatus - is to sell the lies, half truths, and mind-numbing minutiae to YOU and ME.

So since there is no question that censorship is a reality we can only conclude that the censors are also a reality. Although this may seem obvious - what is important to ponder - is who are these people? Are they qualified? Is the censorship campaign in which they participate actually necessary to secure our liberties? Where do they work? Where were they trained and who trained them? Do they have ulterior motives or hidden loyalties that guide their actions rather than an altruistic desire to serve the Republic?

I will concede that there are good reasons for censorship. By "good reasons" I mean those that will ultimately result in the protection of the liberties for which our Republic was founded. I would like to believe that the intentions of America's military leaders, civilian leaders, media moguls, Wall Street barons, corporate bosses, Federal Reserve Bankers, University Presidents, Newspaper editors, talking heads, scientists - the "experts" we rely on - are "good." But to believe their intentions are good I would have to be insane. Why?

A quote attributed to Einstein sums it up best:

Albert Einstein

So to continue to believe that our "protectors" are working for We The People - given the present state of our union -would be insane. But to get a handle on the true state of the union one must first turn off their television and radio and don a thinking cap. Think about it: How can we perform our role as citizens of the republic when:

Scientists dismiss other scientists investigating the events of 911 without reading or analyzing the work:

Retired generals assisted by corporate media spread fear posing as disinterested "experts" stampeding the public to ever more draconian assaults on their liberties:
Click here:

" While he spoke, Fox News framed his image with the words, "POLITICAL INSTABILITY HELPING AL QAEDA TO FLOURISH IN YEMEN" above a news scroll blaring race-tinged scary stories about Bin Laden's daughter, Somali pirates, Brazilian mudslides and even gun-fighting black NBA players. The entire production of the show seemed to shift over to editorial support of the guest, and away from the fairness and balance practiced by the purported news team at Fox News Channel. "

Torture has become mainstream, wars are meant to last forever, our monetary system is in peril, our borders are unprotected, Ivy League University Constitutional scholars demand the silencing of dissent, wars based on lies are expanded, police have become soldiers, the food and water supply is corrupt, the vaccines are not safe - nothing - absolutely nothing - the media tells us can be trusted.

So we must ask ourselves - who are the censors? Is Wolf Blitzer a censor? Is Sean Hannity a censor? Is Thom Hartmann a censor? Is Glenn (shoot him in the head) Beck a censor? Somebody has to be. Maybe they all are.

So where does that leave us?

Consider the words of Thomas Jefferson below - and ask yourself - HOW can we do OUR job as CITIZENS - unless the media is brought back to its purpose - to serve the people?

Click the pic

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