What should be the top news stories of 2006

The Canadian News Press choose the war in Afganistan as the top news story of 2006. In the US, it appears stories relating to the Iraq war and Saddam Hussein are at the top.

I agree these are important stories. These things impact significantly the world around us. But there are so many other important things that happened in 2006 that the news made little noise about, such as the following:

1. Our changing climate - There was some reporting on this, but hardly to the degree it deserves. The affects of climate change are so obvious this year across the globe. The news should be litered with commentary and stories regarding this fact, but it isn't.
2. Our modified food supply - There was some talk in popular media of trans fats and such, but very, very little considering is dangers. And almost no talk about genetically modified foods, and other harmful and dangerous things the food industry is doing to the food supply that sustains us and our children.
3. Persecuted Christians - There were literally thousands of Christians persecuted last year. It appears such stories went unnoticed by our news media.
4. Starving Children - Children are starving across the world everyday, and yet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie got far more media play than these children. This isn't just a problem in third-world countries. In our western countries, there is an increase in starving children too.
5. Loss of religious freedoms - A bill was passed by Himachal Pradesh banning "forced" or "induced" religious conversions in an attempt to enforce Islamic principles. This is a loss of religious freedom in our world.

These are simply a handful--there is more than this, certainly. Unfortunately, there are things that happen in our world that our western news media simply ignores. Mainstream news really isn't news. It is the telling of those stories a media moguls want to tell in the way they want to tell it--and nothing more.

New Years Resolutions in the News

Go to news.google.com and search for "new years resolutions" and you'll find lots of articles.

Here is what I found:

• One talks about them in general, whatever they are, and how easy they can be if you really want it--after all, you have a whole year!
• Some of a distinctly political perspective, wanting to see changes in the political landscape.
• Some talk of financial advice, particular for investors.
• Some had to do with sports, focusing on particular teams.
• Others had to do with health, dieting, fitness.
• One had the resolutions of Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt.

But what was very much lacking were those that had to do with changing ourselves, our behaviour, our morality, how we treat each other.

I did find one article talking about regular people's resolutions. There, one person wanted to help, with all their might, abused children. Another said they wanted to be more thankful. Other than that, it was about making the most out of live, being better in the perpective of accomplishments for oneself, etc.

All such things are well and good, but why do we not see any articles written that attack the ills of the human heart, our willingness to hurt each other, argue with each other, ignore each other, care nothing about each other, and so on. It is prevent everywhere, between countries, family members, friends, neighbours...yet the media doesn't cover it.

It is quick to speak against leaders and their failings as leaders. Yet the news fails to point the finger at itself.

And it definitely fails to talk about what really matters, the failings of the human heart that leads each and every one of us--and usually into the wrong behavior.

The heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desparately sick: who can understand it - Jeremiah 2:13.