Archive for September, 2005
« Previous EntriesCovering Iraq
Thursday, September 29th, 2005In the last two posts the role of
journalists and their trustworthiness have been discussed. In an interview on
Fresh Air today Dexter Filkins, the reporter for the New York Times covering
Iraq discussed how he worked in that dangerous environment. It’s an insightful
interview worth hearing as we think about journalism today.
In the last two posts [...]
Media Coverage of Katrina
Thursday, September 29th, 2005Catch me at the right time and I might agree with Roger’s comments in the previous post about trusting media in general. However, media behavior, and I’m referring here to news media journalists in particular, is more nuanced and complex than even I on my most cynical of days can explain simply. Media [...]
The Impulse Toward Helping and the Organizational Roadblocks
Tuesday, September 27th, 2005As the response to Katrina is reviewed, a
huge paradox appears. On the one hand individuals and small groups, such as
local churches, immediately sprang into action and reached out to those in
distress. But response by government was cumbersome, at best, and virtually
paralyzed at worst. What’s to account for this discrepancy?
As humanitarian response to [...]
Rebuilding Democracy
Sunday, September 25th, 2005People in the U.S. yearn for a re-birth of
democracy, according to Harry C. Boyte. He says re-building after a hurricane
is an opportunity o
…the response to Katrina also suggests that Americans are searching for a rediscovery of the democratic faith.– Harry C. Boyte
People in the U.S. yearn for a re-birth of democracy, according to Harry [...]
Rita Hennenberger on Overturning the Gospels
Sunday, September 25th, 2005Rita Hennenberger, contributing editor to
Newsweek, offers a provocative commentary on how the culture leads us to view
poverty and working with the poor. She makes a sharp point–that we’ve
convinced ourselves it’s moral to <i>not</i> assist them and we’ve
even made the case to ourselves that’s it’s a tenet of Christian
faith.
When FEMA handed out $2,000 debit cards [...]
Economic Integration
Sunday, September 25th, 2005Raleigh, North Carolina has experimented
with a form of integration in its public schools that is showing promise. It
highlights the value of integrating children from different economic levels.
This doesn’t impair those at the higher levels of accompishment, but it does
help those with lower test scores to raise their test scores.
An article reporting on a study [...]
Rebuilding The Community
Sunday, September 25th, 2005Many are commenting on how to re-build New
Orleans. It’s a huge challenge and a remarkable opportunity. But experience
tells us that the issue won’t be physical reconstruction, it will be how we
re-construct communities. That will be the subject of maneuvering, debate and
public policy.
Many are commenting on how to re-build New Orleans. [...]
Spiritual Care After a Catastrophe
Thursday, September 22nd, 2005A catastrophe can result in a spiritual
crisis, or it can be a time of greater strength. Mary Geaudrea, the director of
spiritual care for the United Methodist Committee on Relief discusses her recent
experience in the Gulf states and also reflects on her longterm learnings from
other disasters.
A catastrophe can result in a spiritual crisis, or it [...]
Five Things to Do Before Rita Strikes
Wednesday, September 21st, 2005As Hurricane Rita approaches the Gulf states
there are five things those of not in harm’s way can do to be prepared to help
those who are. Here’s the list.
As Hurricane Rita approaches the Gulf states I asked The Rev. Thomas Hazelwood, executive secretary of the Disaster Network, United Methodist Committee on Relief, what those not [...]
Katrina and Stories
Tuesday, September 20th, 2005The stories of the evacuees and persons
affected by Katrina will continue to haunt us, even as debris is removed and
reconstruction begins. These stories will remain and the effect of the damage,
displacement and loss will also affect people into the future.
The stories of the evacuees and others affected by Hurricane Katrina continue to haunt [...]
« Previous Entries