Chop Wood, Carry Water
Posted by Mike The Admin | Filed under Essay
Last week Senator Byron Dorgan outed Kevin Martin. This isn’t another one of those pathetic wide stance, foot tapping bathroom stall shenanigans. Kevin Martin is our current Chair of the Federal Communications Commission. His closeted activities promise to have a much broader impact and crushing foot print.
Mr. Martin is clandestinely proposing to do away with media ownership rules that bar companies from owning both a newspaper and a television or radio station in the same city. Martin’s push to rewrite existing rules were revealed by North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan during a Commerce Committee hearing last Wednesday. If approved the new rules could take effect as early as this December. But Senator Dorgan vowed to put up a fight and said, “If the chairman intends to do something by the end of the year, then there will be a firestorm of protest and I’m going to be carrying the wood.”
According to Freepress.net -
“The past two decades have witnessed the number of major corporations that dominate television, movies, music, radio, cable, publishing and the Internet dwindle from 50 to less than two dozen, with much of the control concentrated in fewer than 10 massive conglomerates. While enriching investors, these changes have endangered democracy.”
In the radio biz, Clear Channel’s current ownership of 1168 radio stations, represents about 8.5 percent of the free radio market.
The health of our Republic relies on informed citizens with access to a variety of voices and viewpoints. In the propaganda feast that created the “mushroom cloud” of support for our illegal invasion of Iraq, the fourth estate was nothing more than well-manicured groundskeepers for the Bush/Cheney Imperial Mansion. They are slowly waking up to their calling as responsible neighbors rather than administration servants.
Conglomerate Media feeds us the latest gossip on Britney, JLo, and the like, reducing us to consumer junkies rather than noble citizens. The spiritually awakened one will ignore the reptilian brain food and munch on organic ideas that resonate with the substance of Being.
An ancient Zen Master offered this earthy truth. “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” Spiritual illumination is not confined to monks, nuns, and monasteries. If it don’t spread to the street it is about escapism or autoerotic religiosity.
I am elated that Senator Dorgan is going to be “carrying the wood” of fiery protest. Last night I went to the FCC website and wrote a short note to Mr. Kevin Martin.
“I am not in favor of relaxing the FCC ownership rules in any way, shape, or form. The radio consolidation is already a blight on our democratic climate.”
I invite you to join the sacred work crew. Chop wood, carry water.
November 7, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Chuck are you there? Are you real? Are you a virtually present?!
May 6, 2010 at 8:10 am
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while. Thank your for sharing your thoughts. I wish i had time and patience to make a informative submit like yours. A ton of information on all the states. Bookmarked your blog.
May 10, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Nenita,
I appreciate your thoughtful comment. I haven’t posted on here for awhile, but am resurrecting this site. My current blogs are here – http://freesoulsproject.ning.com/.
Soulfully,
Chuck