The Not So Fun
Stuff
Regardless of how you may feel about the current war with
Iraq, everyone is concerned with the safety of those who may be in that region.
Among the obvious participants are a little known group that the National AIVF
organization wanted to bring to everyone's attention.
Concern for independent journalist in Iraq, March
2003
AIVF believes that democracy rests on the open exchange of
ideas. Free speech is a fundamental right provided for in our Constitution, and
the opportunity to have a voice and to hear a diversity of voices and viewpoints
is part of what we cherish as Americans.
As our country rushes into war, AIVF is deeply concerned
that independent media makers working in Iraq be protected and allowed to share
their viewpoints with world audiences. We are alarmed by reports (see links
below) that independent journalists will not only not be protected, but will
actually be targeted for attack by the U.S. military in Iraq if they attempt to
file reports by uplinks (satellite TV or radio feeds) once the war begins.
We strongly condemn threats leveled against independent
media makers and the free flow of information. In particular, we are deeply
concerned for the safety of independent video journalist May Ying Welch, who has
been reporting from Iraq since mid-November. Welsh, daughter of former AIVF
board member Loni Ding and former correspondent for CNN, has been providing the
type of informed and truly independent viewpoint lacking in mainstream media
coverage.
We encourage our membership to contact their
representatives voicing their concern to protect the free flow of information
and the very lives of independent media makers on the ground in
Iraq.
For more information, please visit:
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From 50 years
ago
Eerily relevant after all this time is the 1952 Civil
Defense film
"What You Should Know About Biological
Warfare".
A free download in several movie file formats you can
click on the above link or go to The Internet Archive at www.archive.org .
Or you can download the 1942 "What To Do In A
Gas Attack"
Editor's note: The Archive is currently
upgrading it's server connection so the films may not always be available, you
may need to try back at a later time.
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If you would like to respond with any
comments, updates, announcements, blurbs, quips, jibs, exhortations or advice,
you can contact,