Peace ForUM -- Current Events for Family and Friends

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Subject:

Peace ForUM

Author:
Tim Stasevich

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Date Posted: 21:59:18 09/26/02 Thu

Today I went to a public meeting at school which was intended for all students to voice their opinions about the potential war in Iraq. Because it was pouring when the forum started, the turn-out wasn't as high as I had hoped. Still, there were close to 100 students, and it was interesting to hear their points of view. Most of the students who showed up were not happy with the Bush administration--especially it's foreign policy.

At the meeting I brought up the media. If my experience in Japan taught me anything, it showed me that opinions are easily influenced by what's seen on the TV, heard on the radio, and read in the paper. In Japan I, like most Japanese, was absolutely against the war in Afghanistan. When I finally communicated these thoughts with my friends in America (check out my online journal), I learned their opinions were in stark contrast to mine. I began to wonder that if I lived in America during 9/11, would I think like they do? I'm not sure... It's a scary thought, but when it comes to politics--both foreign and domestic--our opinions originate almost entirely from the media.

So what can we do about it? Personally I feel we should expose ourselves to media from as broad a source as possible. I encourage everybody to read newspapers from all over the world. Here are a few links to get you started:

1. The Daily Yomiuri.

2. Express India.

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