The lifeblood of a functioning democracy is information. Knowledge of important issues and understanding of candidates’ records are the necessary currency for citizens to make reasoned choices in the voting booth. That is why the diversity of voices in media is vitally important to our society.
The most popular sources of media in the United States are owned by corporations, including The Bob Edwards Show. To be sure, the corporate media do report on many important stories to which the public should pay attention, but there are many topics that go ignored by the mainstream media…it is by operating within this news void that independent and online journalism become so important.
Amy Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now! the foremost daily independent news program in the United States. Democracy Now! is a pioneering force, both in alternative, grassroots reporting and in news distribution. DN! is seen and heard on hundreds of television and radio stations worldwide and they offer the program on their website: www.DemocracyNow.org in audio and visual formats, free of charge.
Amy Goodman is also an author. She has co-written three books with her brother, investigative reporter David Goodman. Their latest book is titled: Standing Up to the Madness, Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times. It’s about everyday citizens taking action against certain decisions and policies of the U.S. government to which they are opposed.
Her reporting is compelling, her courage is admirable and her commitment to justice is fierce and unrelenting. The words and thoughts of Amy Goodman on Bob Edwards Weekend.
– Dan Bloom
Official website of ‘Democracy Now!’
Steve L. please understand those of us who have seen debates not in the US Senate, or the House or the House of Commons in the UK know fully well what is democracy. If your definition of democracy is only to fit your thoughts then it has its own sorrow. It would be wise to ponder over what Somerset Maugham observed "If you refuse to accept anything but the best that suits you, you often get it" As a citizen of this great country if you accept any but the best citzens as candidates, it would usher in the golden age for our the country. Please know democracy gives, as life gives what you ask of it.
I really enjoyed your interview this saturday with Amy Goodman. Many of the things she talked about are the same things that have and continue to frustrate me with the current state of affairs in this country. In particular I like her comments about the airwaves being controled by a few and about the terrible job the media has done since Mr. Bush & Co. took office. I always enjoy your program but the program this saturday made me realize how nice it is to have a place on the dial to turn to and be able to hear such a great interview, as always moderated in a pleasant manner, with the guest having the time to say what she had to say without interuption. Mr. Edwards I have been listening to you for many years and I hope that you continue to provide the high calibre of guests / topics etc… for those of us out here in the listening audience who do not have that many choices anymore.
thank You Mr. Edwards.
Noel
Dr. Ramesh
I’m for the presentation of facts but not just selective facts that fit your opinion of what the "right” ideas are. Democracy is an idea and its health depends on the free flow of information and vigorous debate. Dictatorships try to control the discussion by permitting only the “right” unchallenged ideas and chosen partial facts. Long live free speech and open debate. A little fairness and balance makes us all more informed and well off.
I listened to your interview with Amy Goodman. As I was listening I remembered what Abraham Lincoln rightly the people would be able to face any crisis, provided only correct facts were made known to them. Unfortunately in the country there are not many like Amy Goodman.
In a democracy based on adult suffrage- which means the nose-counting method, the only way to achieve progress is to "educate our masters", to borrow the historic phrase of Disraeli. There must be a nationwide compaign to disseminate correct facts and right ideas among the public at charge. Bob through interviews like Amy Goodman and Matt Taibbi you are doing a great charity by carrying knowledge to the people.
K. S. Ramesh Ph.D.
Physics and Mathematics Teacher
I just listened to your Sunday interviews with Amy Goodman and Matt Taibbi. I found both to be the most one sided presentation of opinion I have heard in a very long time. I defend your freedom of the press to do this but I think calling these two people journalists demeans the profession. They are advocates not journalists. Furthermore, letting so many questionable statements go unchallenged results in your show being nothing more than a propaganda campaign for socialists. That is your right in our society but it is still not fair or honest. Very sad!
Thanks for the good interview!
I share Bob Battalio’s concern about the inadvisability of encouraging people to rebuild in a "flood plain" that can’t or shouldn’t be protected.
However Bob Battalio may have missed part of Amy’s point, which is that the government is using Katrina as an excuse to destroy public housing that was not in the flooded area, for the apparent purpose of changing the demographics of the city.
John
Pugilistic Opinion:
The interview with Amy Goodman was heartening in terms of knowing that we are in a free society and that there are people like Goodman that are watching thre governments and reporting. I found the interview also very provocative.
I am concerned with the content of the interview, however. Goodman indicated that the government is indifferent to the plight of those displaced from New Orleans. I think the situation is much more complex than that. I thought that the lack of action is at least partly due to a lack of agreement on what to do. Those displaced lived in a flood plain. Many don’t think the government can protect the flood plain from another flood. Many do not think the areas should be rebuilt for this and other reasons. While I think people can live where they want as long as they take responsiblity for their actions and don’t damage others, I would not encourage or pay for people to move back to the 9th Ward. That Goodman did not even mention this fundemental problem degrades her credibility. That Edwards did not question this indicaes this was an opinion piece with some holes in its content, and not a strong editiorial piece.
What concerns me most is that Goodman was aggressively pugilistic, like a 17 year old male who sees transgression and wants to fight regardless of the facts. But I suppose that most listeners are smart enough to make up their own minds – and of course that is the poinit, isn’t it ?
I am thinking of reading Goodman’s book !
Sincerely,
Bob Battalio
Pacifica