Aligning with Purpose(sm)
Jay Fenello
Hello,
And welcome to the inaugural issue of Aligning with
Purpose(sm). My name is Jay Fenello, and each week,
I'll be writing about government, politics, activism,
morality, media bias, and how our current mythology
prevents us from realizing our highest ideals.
In case you are wondering who I am, or why I've chosen
to write this weekly column, a little explanation is in
order. Over the last three years, I've been involved in
the fight over the establishment of Internet governance,
a fight that has been described as the Internet's first
Civil War (www.iperdome.com/writings/icann-nsi.htm).
Along the way, I've learned many things that challenged
my beliefs about the way our world works. I suspect
that these insights will challenge your beliefs as well.
But even though we lost this war, the seeds of victory
lie in our defeat. For this fight has highlighted the
many problems we face today, problems that are now
permanently documented in cyberspace.
For the first time, we have a comprehensive record of
how our government can be bought through soft-dollars,
how our press can influence policy by what they cover
or refuse to cover, and how our foundations are often
used to support all of these excesses.
I say for the first time, because it appears that
these same techniques have been used many times in
the past. We can see it in the establishment of the
IMF, World Bank, NAFTA, GATT, and we can see it in
the establishment of the World Trade Organization
(www.fenello.com/writings/wto1.htm).
All of these organizations share a common approach that
allows a small minority to make decisions beneficial to
themselves at the expense of the majority. And as these
forces continue to consolidate power beyond the reach of
the people, these excesses will only get worse.
Instead of a world based upon legality, and fairness,
and constitutional rights, these organizations are based
upon power, and privilege, and decisions in smoke-filled
rooms.
But what can be done about it?
Before we can address these excesses, we must first
determine the source of our problems. Do they lie
with our government, our press, our multinationals,
our foundations? Or is it a broader problem with
our collective morality?
After much soul searching, I came to the conclusion
that these problems begin with a lack of awareness
about how our world really works.
It is for this reason that I have decided to write
this weekly column. I intend to do my part to expose
the illusion -- to highlight where our mythology diverges
from our reality -- so that those who are so inclined can
truly make a difference.
If the unexamined life isn't worth living, then the
unexamined society isn't worth living in! This column
is dedicated to examining our society, with a goal of
achieving positive and lasting change.
Those who share this vision are invited to join.
If you would like to receive his weekly column,
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If you prefer to receive this weekly column and join
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Until next week. . .
Respectfully,
Jay Fenello,
New Media Relations
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http://www.fenello.com 770-392-9480
Aligning with Purpose(sm) ... for a Better World
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Copyright (c) 2000 Jay Fenello -- All rights reserved
Permission is hereby granted to 1) redistribute this
column in its entirety via email, discussion lists,
and newsgroups, and 2) publish this column in its
entirety on non-profit web sites.