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I usually catch Charlie Rose before I go to sleep. He always has interesting guests: actors, scientists, authors, politicians, sports stars, to rock stars. But just after his show is Democracy Now, which is a curious show in it’s willingness to discuss and explore issues not on the general news channels. A show that talks about interesting ideas that affect people, like a speech by Bill Moyers.

Have you come back from a run or some form of exercise when your mind is clear and tried to watch TV? In that state, all the commercials seem even more in your face and the sitcoms unfunny and mean–the pace too fast. It’s re-freshing to watch a show that has the people’s concerns at heart–at times shows like these come across as too righteous and demanding, but this speech was inspiring.  Be passionate about whatever you believe in.

Democracy Now is fresh and has no agenda other than trying to tell the truth (Could Amy Goodman maybe wear a touch of makeup though?  At times, she seems so worn out and tired…I guess I’m used to the sexy CNN anchors sending me news, can I write that). 

What caught my attention was this speech by Bill Moyers at the National Conference of Media Reform in Memphis on Martin Luther King’s birthday. It was moving and powerful and passionate, unique in it’s authenticity (you could tell he was very passionate about what he was saying). Sadly, we just don’t see that much. Speeches are made to satisfy a poll or steer a bill or a war–but not really from the heart and mind.  Speech’s are filled with language geared towards marketing a message, referencing polls rather than poetry.  Speeches with phrases like, ‘war on terror’ or ‘global climate change’ or ‘death tax’ or ’surge’.  Language manipulated: inverted and flipped to sway opinion.  Language that removes the policy makers from the equation, as though it’s not their problem or they have no blame in the creation of the problem in the first place. 

What is moving about the speech is the way he spoke about individuals acting on their own to make change–to tell the story. Watch Moyers Speech in Memphis….

Democracy Now also has the full transcript. A speech like this should be seen by more people, how do we get quality speeches, stories, and articles displayed on a national or global level?  I think it’s a battle but does start with each individual taking small steps to talk about what they care about.