So why did I get a Masters from Journalism from NYU? Why did
I get any education may be the subject of another article. [I noticed at 18
that colleges are a business and people of all parties seem to be seeing that
now. Some college insurance should be thought of by Congress or the private
sector.] Much, as we usually do not tell children, is the hand of God or whom
you know in almost all industries. At the latest alumni function at NYU, there
was not one conservative voice in the audience, and when I raised my hand to
ask why there is no Walter Kronkite any more or investigative journalism except
for murders, the microphone was almost yanked from my hands as pronounced I had
no more questions. Many Dateline and 48 Hours journalists have excellent
capabilities, and they are steered to murder mysteries that do nothing for our
souls or brains, and definitely not for the nation. I am continually asking,
wtf?
What is happening? How can CNN and MSNBC, not to mention
shows like The View, be geared toward one party or another or be so against
Donald Trump. Yes, he should not say things about the “disabled” or women, but
no, he is not a fascist and he cares about this country. Where is actual information flowing? Did I
tell you I spent 15 years of my life to get a Ph.D. in information science, and
I don’t see any of my colleagues from CW Post as information experts on
television, while both sides of the aisle (and unfortunately there are usually two)
proclaim that others are the leaders in dis- and mis-information.
How many times are Republicans, especially those that like
Trump or are far right on CNN, MSNBC,
The View or other shows? What kind of journalism is that? Why not have two if
not four of varying degrees of agreement on a subject each one with a neutral
journalist that has investigated and research the topic? When I edited science,
I was told to dumb it down to a seventh grade level. Although there are many
stupid people out there, I’d give the American public the benefit of the doubt
that that is the kind of journalism and information sharing they’d want and
need.
I do also think sometimes Fox overdoes things, although not
as much as liberal media, like in alleging Biden had drugs to deliver the State
of the Union speech. I am not sure he is fit to be President for four more
years, and he is a puppet of the Far Left in areas, but Fox does overdo age
comments.
At the NYU journalism alumni event, a young Asian woman proclaimed
I am a fascist if I think Trump is good for the country. She walked away before
I could point out that my grandfather and his eldest son, then 17, were killed
by firing squad by actual German fascists during World War II on May 1, 1944 in
Argostoli, Kephallonia, Greece. (Film Corelli’s Mandolin, 2000) How can
college, let alone NYU, Columbia or other schools we think are tops, throw a
term like that around the place? Last
time I checked, Trump works with Greeks and many others, and isn’t planning on
killing any. Perhaps there are personal or collective wounds having people
project that Trump is Hitler. Cancel culture itself, where you cannot give your
opinion, is conducted by those who project the fascists they really are by
calling others fascists (much like those who have put down my intellect or
called me fat are the actual fat, stupid ones).
These are people weaponizing the justice system against Trump, while
Biden gets by free. When was it okay for any President or official to have
classified information?
Of course, I am aware that several that like Trump (and he
can be any Republican candidate in the future) are male-chauvinist pigs and
racist. I am Greek and many in church are like that. But let’s get real. People
are complicated onions. Don’t we all have some racism in us? Don’t most whites
think whites are better in some way, or blacks think blacks are better, or
Italians think Italians are better But most have the sense to look at people as
individuals. Maybe we feel different to different degrees at different times of
the day or year. People may prefer their
family, neighborhood, city race or two races, ethnicities, or at times
not even like them. (I can say that about most family members.) Trump, whose
daughter “became” Jewish and who I am sure employs all kinds of people, is not
an anti-black or anti-gay person as far as I can see or more than many others
are different times, including those that may be prejudiced against whites.
Many or most may have thought of the n, h and s words as
applied to negative characteristics shown by people of different races. It can
be an angry word spoken at times, and may not mean one is inherently racist to
everyone of one ethnicity or race. At the School of Practical Philosophy, I
learned about the sattvic, rajasic and tamasic elements of life.¹ I am sure they
can be applied to races, ethnicities, occupations and more, although they would
be stereotypes true at times. For instance, each ethnicity may have its sattwic, or usually best, wise, calm version; rajasic or energetic, working and at times argumentative and too busy nature; and tamasic nature which can range from rest to dark and evil.
It's an absurd world to hear at times that one can change
genders daily then wander into a Greek event and be asked (at the other end of
the spectrum) if I am 100% Greek, or what village my mother hails…I wonder if
there is a third country somewhere in which to be “happy.”
And how many times do they “old money” people not like the
“new money” people, or “new money” people not like those in the social class
they left behind, whether it is the same or different race or ethnicity?
For those who see only the bad about America, have you tried
living somewhere else? I am sure there are some good places. I can actually
pick one of the gorgeous islands of Greece and stay there. But I may be too
much of a New Yorker so I know, to an extent, I like the variety of cultures
and the energy/rhythm. I also know that to Greeks, although born there, I am an
American. I am sure if one is from or
partly from Norway to Uganda, they’d be thought of the same and would come to
realize that they may vibe with some characteristics of that country’s culture,
but also find many rather stupid and annoying since they are also American. So
take the best of both.
For women’s month, I’ll add this: Many of us women are happy we are here, and
those expounding too far left views should think of it. If your hair would show
or you’d look at a man, in some villages in the Middle East or Asia, you’d be
stoned to death or beheaded. And in some African villages, you’d lose your
clitoris. I’ll keep America, thank you, plus my head and clitoris.
Besides football and apple pie, a main characteristic of
being an American is innovation, optimism, progress and taking the best of
different cultures. I love my Greek culture and religion, but I know I have to
open the window and let some air in or it may get stifling and a bit Dark Age-y
at times. I also know that being an
American is not self-hate and annihilation from the inside, which some woke
culture is consciously or subconsciously fostering. That would be rather
stupid. I recall the biggest sports blunder I saw. A man in a European or
South American soccer match fervently ran across the field and scored a goal.
Then he realized it was against his team, rather stupid.
An informed, neutral, well-meaning press can foster and then
receive more information form in a truly safe environment, the populace. This
would have us be able to gather any sattwic messages from the extreme left and
right, left and right, and middle, to use easy terms and have actual progress.
And no country can NOT have a border. No white American can
march to Mexico, or Canada, or Kenya, or Singapore, or Norway and decide to
live there for as long as they want with no paperwork. It is not a racism thing. Did anyone
investigate if George Floyd and his murderer had beef from the past? If
any subordinate cops had feeble personalities and could not stop what was
happening? If any bystander called the black police captain?
I went to clubs since I was 13 years old. Yes, there were
some gay and bisexual people, and transvestites. However, a huge amount of
people were not changing their gender, and definitely not children.
There weren’t countless proclaimed genders. This is post-modernism turning to craziness. Crossdressers
do not need to read books to children, as we do not need to show them straight
X-rated films, and this is coming from a club -goer at 13. One day at a Chelsea
school, I subbed for the DOE in a special education classroom, to see them
showing them a Harvey Mil movie. I see this in my 20s. This is not appropriate
for any children due to the sexual and drug content, and this is coming from
someone who went to NYC nightclubs at 13 years old. In addition, the young
African-American paraprofessional, way less educated than myself, had reverse
racism. (I will not get into the whole story.) And many of us experimented with
drugs and sexuality. Thirteen is different than six. Most parents are competent
enough to handle their children over teachers or doctors.
Yes, my religion says that gay people have demons in their
head. A Greek Orthodox priest-Ph.D. wrote well on this topic, but I will not
get into it now. A small percentage of
people are gay, even if you account for those who don’t admit it in countries
like Uganda or Iran. Some of these people have better relationships than
heterosexuals, where the divorce rate is around 50%REF, and may have no demons
in their head. Everyone does to an extent.
Of course, everyone deserves civil rights, obviously, and some gay
people or black people or white people or whatever, may have a better character
or heart than a neighbor. Only God can judge a heart, soul or spirit, and being
straight or gay is not the measure as some on the extreme right (to use an easy
phrase) may think.
To group a person who may not be pro children changing their
genders, for example, and say they are fascists or some other unfitting,
ludicrous term is collapsing civil rights with individual opinion, including
religious ones, on which this country was founded and is assuming the auditory
recipient is stupid enough to agree with you for fear of being canceled, not
seeming nice or smart, or whatever else.
That person never said anything on the important subject of civil
rights, on which this country was also founded.
However, just like so many all of a sudden have a lactose, peanut
or gluten allergy, even after accounting for those that were too afraid to
voice it, it does not seem logical that more people want a gender change
operation, or are gay or some other of many proclaimed genders. I can imagine
in a small minority of cases, some are not comfortable in their gender, but it
is a small percentage. And they may change their mind at 18, 21 or 25 years
old! Intuition tells me so, and it is hardly ever wrong. I myself was feminine
to my soul since I was a child, but also have masculine characteristics or
those thought so, like being bossy or strong, but it doesn’t mean I will change
my gender. Ever heard of a yin-yang balance, and then I’d say most are more
feminine if female and male if male. To say one does not know what a woman is,
is ridiculous. I am reminded of my
favorite ancient Greek story of Diogenes being asked why he is carrying a lamp
at noon time. His answer was to find a human being.
Company can be found in district attorneys not prosecuting
crime. Aren’t district attorneys
supposed to be hard on crime? What is the point of public arrests if people are
let out in the street again. I do not agree with Fox News that sending The
National Guard to NYC subways is a prelude to a police state. But why do we
need them? Is cop enrollment low because of some bad vibes to cops? Or is crime
so high? Why are illegals in The Roosevelt Hotel? Yes, they are illegal. Some
are criminals and in gangs. Some are innocent women with children or families.
You must come into this country legally, as my parents came, and as with every
country. Why aren’t mentally unstable
people housed here to get medical and mental help they need and money? Some of
them are veterans!
I thought in 2001 we should have nuclear detectors on trains.
`The CIA and FBI did not communicate well and the CIA did not listen to women
prior to 911 (as Israelis didn’t prior to October 7). Terrorists can enter from
either border, become citizens and facilitate others to enter for another 911.
Perhaps I am innocent at heart, but besides leanings on a
high level of Constitutional interpretation at the Supreme Court, aren’t judges
supposed to be neutral? Isn’t that the point of the blind Justice statue with a
scale? Again, wtf.
To also try to divide the country on race is ridiculous.
This country was contributed to by everyone from the Founding Fathers to
current immigrants. Most contribution did not come from slaves, but from
everyday poor farmers and also city innovators and industrialists. Slaves did
contribute a lot. But so did everyone in our country.²To say one group
contributed the most is racist and too prideful. I have an intuitive/artistic
side and scientific one. Here my
scieintific side would require many primary documents and accounts. I am sure
there were more poor family farmers than their were salves and wheat was more
important than cotton.
The Founding Fathers were amazing at starting this
country, and proclaiming freedom. I
haven’t started a country lately, have you? Yes, many had slaves. Slavery is
huge in almost all parts of the world, and is happening now in the form of labor and sex
slavery, and more.³ Greeks, for instance, were slaves in the Ottoman Empire for
400 years. England and Ireland, China and Japan, Arabs and Persians, Indians
and Pakistanis have had strife. We are in a Fallen World. And yes, our history
has not been the best with Native American Indians. Life is full or winners and
losers. Whoever loses the Super Bowl does not want to play again the next day.
(This is not to make light of atrocities.) Yes, slavery is wrong. Archbishop
Iakovos of blessed memory marched with Martin Luther King Sr and was on the
cover of Life with him. The Founding Fathers were flawed as were my ancient
Greek philosopher ancestors who were probably all male chauvinist pigs. Aristotle
thought all DNA came from sperm, when more than half (mitochondrial as well as other
genes) come from mothers. But you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The same is true of cops. There are some bad apples. Cops
should be vetted trained and fired if they commit crimes. Yet we must fund
them. You call a cop when you need someone, and if you are alone and a woman,
this is more necessary.
Let’s talk about privilege for a while: Is there systematic racism? I am sure there
has been in the areas of policing, voting, real estate, work and more at times
in different places. At the same time, I, as a white, healthy, educated woman,
have had incredible obstacles from family to frenemies to dating to men. People have thought I am a slut, not getting
laid enough, fat or thin, too young or too old, privileged, a snob, stupid and
more. In Greek Orthodoxy and other
“religions,” we learn we all carry a cross. To what extent is one person
responsible for another? That is a choice. Is a single rich white man, for
instance, whose father abused him, wife cheated on him and child has cancer at
five more privileged than someone with little work but close friends hanging
out on his stoop each night and four healthy children? Hmmm
Back to journalism:
We are not stupid, although we are inundated with often crap information
of pop culture, violent video games and movies and repetitive “journalism.” I
remember that in my 20s I wrote a paper on how journalism is consumed with
several things like sensationalism and repetitiveness. Not much has
changed. Where is the investigative journalism
on the environment; statistics of crimes by illegal aliens; cops that have had
social training; causes of crime; and more? For instance, what are reasons that
inflation went up and are they related to COVD, Trump, Biden, Jobs, interest
rates or others and to what capacity each?
What caused COVD? How were scientists, including Dr. Fauci, complicit in
it knowingly or not? Why can’t we educate poachers of wildlife?
I am waiting for reparations from Germany. My family had repercussions resulting in
emotional and verbal abuse to me and who knows what came or has not come about
in my life due to that. How economically feasible is that for descendants of
slaves? What if they are 1/16 black? What about Northern descendants and
immigrant families who had nothing to do with that. No, they should pay
nothing. Why are people like former President Obama who are not half black
called white as much as they are called black. He came from a white mother and
she and his grandmother were his biggest mentors, I think.
Where are the parties that actually want to work together
for the medical, mental, economic, environmental and spiritual health of a
nation? I do not see them, or at least a majority of journalists or politicians,
being a neutral, investigative “middle.” I wonder again if there is some third
country for me. I would not join Bezos
or Musk on their rockets, as I like Nature here, as cruel as it can be at times
in this Fallen World. Perhaps we can all stop this madness and help make it
better.
Socrates has been credited of saying “Pan metron
ariston.” To everything, measure (or the
middle road) is arista or excellence. Thinking Trump is Hitler, saying
homosexuals will go to hell, saying all Democrats are Communists are extreme,
useless and only harmful ideas as bad as any prejudice. An informed, neutral,
investigating journalism will feed the minds
of Americans and wake up their intelligence, be they black, white, a mixture,
Asian, rich, poor and of varying types of education. They will feed the media
and increase the standard of journalism. This cycle will hopefully fuel other
positive cycles, increase communication and foster unity. We already have
enough mind-numbing entertainment, including violence, from movies to
television to video games to apps. I enjoy some of it. But, again, Pan Metron
Ariston. Perhaps we need something else, and true journalism can be one of the
leaders.
From Ancient Greece to that President Lincoln said about a
house divided, we know where that ends. And I I know we can all agree on
certain things. It must start with loving this country. And I know everyone
wants their family to be safe, and no one wants to pay $7 for Corn Flakes.
1. https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/the-3-gunas-of-nature/
2. Most people came to this country as poor people who wanted different or more rights. Few, comparatively, were plantation owners. All ethnicites and races (or mixtures thereof) contributed in urban settings. Researching this would take months or years, and could include primary documents. If anyone pays me, I will do it. When having mostly a correct intuition as a child and having education and experience, you can go with that before [paid] research.
3. https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_855019/lang--en/index.htm
I conduct Zoom workout sessions. Send me a message if you are interested.
The latest one, Musings https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/louiza-patsis-phd/musings/paperback/product
My other short story and poetry book Life, Work and Play, fitness book Pocket Guide to Fitness (two versions and the anti-bullying children's book The Boy in a Wheelchair are available on Authorhouse or AmazonMy other short story and poetry book Life, Work and Play, fitness book Pocket
Guide to Fitness (two versions and the anti-bullying children's book The Boy in a Wheelchair are available on Authorhouse or Amazon.
