I went to controversial independent journalist Eva Bartlett’s expose of the Syria conflict last month at the Millennium Library but left more confused than before.
The Winnipeg Public Library has been educating patrons about “fake news”.
I realized my years of not paying attention in geography and history classes so long ago had left me with big gaps. I didn’t even know where to find Syria on the map. As to having a basic understanding of geopolitical tensions in the world, I could only wish.
When she showed video and pictures of so called “fake news” I perked up a bit. At last something I could verify with my own eyes I thought. But it wasn’t that easy and I wasn’t sure.
Could the CBC and even the lofty BBC really be misleading us by being misled themselves, as she suggested?
The day after the lecture I decided that I wasn’t going to admit defeat and headed to the U of W library to photocopy a world map. I’d decided to start with the basics.
An online map wouldn’t do as I wanted a real one I could mark up and keep referring to. The second atlas I pulled off the shelf had pages 44 through 48 neatly cut out. Possibly I’m not the only geographically challenged person in the city.
It’s a bit late in life for me to take remedial geography but the Peace Alliance of Winnipeg is sponsoring a conference on NATO today, Mon. Apr. 3, that just may fill in some of the gaps. It’s sure to be less contentious than Bartlett’s lecture and I’ve been told there will be much more context.
Conference takes place in Winnipeg, Mon. Apr. 3.
“Is NATO Heading For The Third World War” promises to be a must attend in these turbulent times. The line up for today’s event includes:
THE PRESENTERS
– Paul Kellogg teaches Interdisciplinary Studies at Athabasca University.
– Roger Annis edits the website The New Cold War: Ukraine and beyond.
– Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya is a sociologist at the University of the Philippines.
THE PRESENTATIONS
– Roger Annis: Post-Cold War NATO: Why conflict continues, and what prospects for peace?
– Paul Kellogg: Addicted to War – The corporate foundation of U.S. militarism.
– Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya: The Atlantic to the Indian and Pacific Oceans: What role does NATO have in the South China Sea and Asia-Pacific?
Presentations are at the The Cross Common Room, St. John’s College, University of Manitoba, between noon and 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
EVENING PANEL DISCUSSION
Broadway Disciples United Church, 396 Broadway at Kennedy St.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; panel discussion begins at 7 p.m.
SPONSORS
– Geopolitical Economy Research Group
– Peace Alliance Winnipeg
– Manitoba Chair for Global Governance Studies
– University of Manitoba Institute for the Humanities
– Department of Political Studies, University of Manitoba
– Department of Political Science, University of Winnipeg
More information (periodic updates at): https://www.facebook.com/events/410171435998919
Great job on honesty and integrity and bringing such a complicated issue into the light. It shows strength to admit what we don’t understand and then go on a quest to learn more about the topic and share the journey like you have. I found the way you presented it enlightening, and seeing your path to understanding and then sharing this insight, is so helpful.