"Oh Lord, Please Tell Rev. Wright to Shut Up!"

- the title of a blog entry by James Withers of Visible Vote 08

Margaret Mead, one of the founding mothers of the science of Anthropology, noticed a common theme when comparing cultures from around the world: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Before the official foundation of NonStop Radio, I had seen this principle in action a number of times.

With the WGA strike picking up steam, it is important that we step back and see the opportunity in this.  Keep in mind, and this is unbelievable to me, that the main contention here is whether or not writers should be compensated when their works are sold online and in DVD form.  Apparently it isn't just the record labels who are becoming irrelevant, television and movie producers just might be the next to go.  Repeatedly, as a backlash against failures of industry, individuals pick up the pieces to create and distribute their own news, music, videos and more.

If you aren't familiar with the Writers Guild Strike, this video explains the situation well. (h/t MissLaura)

Below the fold I've included video of the Iraq Veterans Against the War's (IVAW) Operation First Casualty IV in Chicago. Operation First Casualty was held one week ago in Chicago.

Operation First Casualty:

Who? Iraq Veterans Against the War. The patrol was conducted by IVAW members who had done patrols in Iraq.
What? OFC was designed to allow Americans to see the realities of what the U.S. military does to implement the occupation on a day-to-day basis.
Where? Downtown Chicago
When? One week ago today
Why? To build support for 1) bringing the troops home now, 2) getting proper benefits for veterans, and 3) paying the Iraqi people reparations for the damage caused by the war and occupation

BTW, the Marine Corps has decided to retaliate against members of IVAW who participate in Operation First Casualty (more on this below the fold).

Motion to revise and extend my remarks of yesterday.

Just got this email from Bob McChesney, Professor at the University of Illinois, author of The Problem With the Media, and host of the Media Matters radio show/podcast.

The Postal Service isn't just raising the rate of the first-class stamp; the new rate structure they're proposing - with very little fanfare or publicity - could effectively put small magazines and journals out of business.

See below for the email, posted with Mr. McChesney's permission:

The people of Arizona need look no further than Senator John McCain to understand why some species live longer and others go extinct.  Mr. McCain's policy along with the other Neo-Cons (that he has sold his soul too) are for fighting exactly the same way in the illegal occupation of Iraq as they did in Vietnam: "the losing way".  In fact the new nickname for the theocratic anti-American/ anti-constitutional Neo-Cons should be the Neo-Con Dodo birds of which you are now a part of congratulations.

The New Standard is going to go out of production in a week if they can't raise a couple thousand more bucks.

Everybody wants independent media.  Now is the time to put your money where your mouth is.

This is going to be the model user supported news collective if it can just continue to grow and develop.

Support the New Standard.  Give today.

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It is a groundbreaking news service.

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I rarely ever have the time to use my daily diary allotment, so I'm using it up today to ask you to go read and recommend someone else's diary: Richard Cranium's "Supporting Independent Journalism - Dahr Jamail".

See a preview below the jump.

The New Standard, an independent news site which concentrates on fact-checking and accuracy in its reporting, is still getting off the ground and is in great need of financial support. They're a serious outfit doing the type of news that many of us at DailyKos consider is important, while still setting a standard for reporting that all news sites should aspire to. And they do this without accepting any form of advertising, and the conflict of interests that would involve.

Please consider donating or subscribing here.

I've been a fan of The New Standard since it began running reports from the ground in Iraq from the excellent correspondent, Dahr Jamail, at a time when virtually all journalists were embedded within the military or otherwise confined to safe areas. I also enjoy their coverage of worker rights issues and the environment.

Check out their current articles:

The New Standard - www.newstandardnews.net

For those of us who hope for a world with more reputable, independent media organizations, this looks to be one of the best sites to root for.

Scott