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12 July 2013

We Can Do This!

This story was originally published on our brand new sister site, The Baltimore Citizen. Currently in pre-launch mode, it promises to be a dynamic and exciting project. Be sure to keep an eye on it.

A Better Baltimore Is Possible

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

Publisher

Driving through parts of Baltimore, with it's teeth shattering, car rattling, seemingly permanent potholes, it's easy to get the feeling that someone somewhere stopped caring a long time ago.

A post apocalyptic feeling permeates the air in many neighborhoods. Abandoned homes, trash strewn vacant lots, and natives who often express a sense of dire desperation without saying a word, only add to an atmosphere of despair. The permanent enunciation worn on their faces tell a story without words.

How did things get so far gone? What's being done about it? Why does it seem like the city allows some areas to fall into severe neglect and disrepair while continually pumping resources into certain choice spots? These are questions I'm often asked by visitors and outside observers of the city I call home.

Then there's the vicious violence and murderous mayhem. It's literally destroying the very fabric of your society, ripping us apart by the seams, but we won't dwell on that subject very much in this space. We'll leave the chronicling and commentary of crime to our sister site, The Baltimore Spectator.

It's clear Baltimore is broken, and in my opinion, the path it's currently on is hardly one of true and sustainable progress.

Making Things Better

If there's to be any hope of Baltimore building itself back up, it's gonna take all hands on deck. Making a once great city fit for families and human habitation in all zip codes, is going take full participation by all parties concerned.

This project by no means claims to be the solution to all that ails us. But we'd like to be part of progress in a city that so desperately needs it.

It would be a lie to depict our goals and the tasks we'll have to perform to achieve them as easy. Anything worth having is worth working for. And hard work and perseverance would go a long way when coupled to a strategic vision backed by a comprehensive plan. There's simply no getting past this.

Disappointments and setbacks are sure to come, but I'm confident we'll also have many victories and success to celebrate too.

In the coming days and weeks I'll be calling on you for help. Help in cultivating a more livable environment. To work with me in doing our part to reclaim a lost city. To give of your time, and yes, when needed, some of your money too.

Check back on this site for specific projects and initiative. There'll be instruction for participation. Oh, and of course your ideas, suggests and concepts are always welcome.

Here's to new beginnings and a promise to press on! It's my sincere hope that you'll buy into the vision and join me in building a better Baltimore.

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Community activist, independent journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur's roots run deep in the world of underground, alternative publications. First publishing a print newsletter with a small international following in 1991, his path has since taken him on a vast array of varied media projects.

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23 June 2013

The Fight For Freedom Continues -- I Shall Return...

It Ain't Over Yet.

By A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

In the battle for truth and freedom, there will be moments which try ones soul.

They wanted to scare me, that never worked. They desired my silence, yet I shouted ever louder. They wanted me dead, but my life was spared instead.

“I am immortal until God’s work for me to do is done. The Lord reigns.” – Henry Martyn

It is my prayer that Edward Snowden continues to abide under the protection of the Almighty.

Death doesn't scare me, I'm not afraid to die. It's a fate that awaits us all, but it shouldn't deter the mission.
After all, a ship is safest tied up or anchored in the harbor. But that's not what ships were designed to do. It's certainly not fulfilling their purpose to never venture out into the unknown, unseen, unstable vastness of the ocean.

When it comes to life, it has been said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. There are things worth fighting for, things worth dying for. Sometimes you have to risk it all, give everything, not for your sake, but for the sake of others who may benefit from your sacrifice.

In war victory is not guaranteed by seeming temporary victory, nor is failure for certain in times of momentary defeat.

To fight for what is right, truth, justice and freedom, is a duty I committed my life to long ago. It is not something I do, it is not a persona I assume, it is WHO I AM!

There are many who are clueless as to the grave dangers we all face. They have no idea how our very way of life is not only threatened, but being viciously assaulted on a daily basis. Making matters worse, are the ones doing the damage. The very governments who claim to be in position to protect and to serve us.

Under the guise of public safety or national security, they dig deeper and deeper into our lives. More and more of our liberties leave us, yet somehow we seem no more safer. Indeed to any astute observer, the world seems to be an increasingly dangerous and unstable place.

As I've said many times before, some of us will die in our attempts of standing strong and bringing you the truth. For many, this fate may seem pointless and futile, or perhaps even deserved. But for the enlightened ones, for the few who are chosen out of the many that are called, it will serve as encouragement to fight on. To be strong and take courage. You will see the words and prophesies spoken were indeed 100% accurate. This should boost your faith.

This freedom fighting, truth telling, gospel preaching, prophesy watching, battle hardened, life long patriot warrior is not out the game yet. Just resting, rebuilding, and recuperating. There's a lot of work ahead and I've got to get ready.

In the meantime, stay strong, stay focused. I shall return!

"But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around." Prophet David (Psalm 3:3-6
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After an unconstitutional imprisonment lasting 6 months, denied bail, tortured, assaulted and forced to endure inhumane conditions in the notorious Baltimore City Detention Center, A.F. James MacArthur, the original independent, established leader in on-scene, feet-on-the-street, Baltimore crime and emergency incident reporting emerged undaunted and unafraid. Baltimore's premier independent crime correspondent and street reporter is a multimedia journalist who also covers urban decay and public corruption. Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter , Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

28 November 2012

A Voice Of Freedom Heard Round The World

The cross cultural, trans-oceanic connection that just took place couldn't be more ironic. While James MacArthur, managing editor of The Baltimore Spectator, and director of MacArthur Media remains in exile "on vacation" -- far removed from the mean streets of Baltimore -- a Dutch journalist, working for a major European newspaper contacted him for an interview.

When asked how the interview went, MacArthur responded with the following on The Baltimore Spectator Facebook page:

James MacArthur continues to elude and mystify his haters.

"Just concluded my interview with a Dutch journalist for a major Netherlands newspaper on my experience in Baltimore.

Was all about crime and grime.

I love how much I'm ignored and marginalized by Baltimore media, but others around the world are beginning to see the value and depth of my work.

It is said a prophet is rarely honored in his own country. So..."
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Currently busy at work building an all day news, talk and information radio network, all while managing to elude evil people out for his neck, A.F. James MacArthur has become the established leader in on-scene, feet-on-the-street, Baltimore crime and emergency incident reporting. Baltimore's premier independent crime correspondent and street reporter, is a multimedia journalist who also covers urban decay and public corruption. He may be reached at 410-205-NEWS (6397) voice or text message, MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, and followed on numerous social media, including: @BaltoSpectator on twitter , Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

27 November 2012

The End Is Near -- Newspapers Teeter On Brink Of Extinction

"The truth needs no support." - A.P. [name concealed], served 25 years in prison for murder. From a jailhouse interview with The Baltimore Spectator.

Newspaper revenues were down in 3Q, for 25th quarter in a row. bit.ly/TkA3p2
— Poynter (@Poynter) November 27, 2012

Anyone following The Baltimore Spectator and managing editor James MacArthur, knows the passion with which he preaches.

For years now, one man has been sounding the trumpet louder than most, decrying the end is near. Like so many once exciting and groundbreaking developments in communication, the day-of-the-end, of the newspaper is now nearer than ever. Even at the door.

Just like the telegraph -- once seen as one of the greatest innovations in disseminating information -- was eventually replaced by successive technologies, starting with the telephone. The newspaper perhaps should have already been laid to rest, but is being held together by a deceptive facade of non-existent vitality.

Is a person in a vegetative state, on full life support really considered "alive?" It's the same for the newspapers. As revenue continues to bleed, the very lifeblood of the once dominant media oozes away, bringing us ever nearer to an inevitable utter complete collapse.

The writing is literally on the wall, but despite that, like the orchestra playing a sweet serenade on the Titanic, as the mighty vessel continued to take on water, it will be a while before the slowly sinking ship is completely submerged.

At this point, the only hope of survival for crew members is to jump off now while they still can. There's something about sinking ships and the powerful vortex they create as they go down.

Leaping to safety too late can sometimes be futile. One who delays can find themselves being pulled under by a swirling whirlpool to certain death.

It's truly sad to see the demise of a medium that's had such a huge, instrumental role in the great history of our county. The world has been shaped by words written in newspapers.

When it's all over, like we do with departed loved ones, it's certain there'll be gatherings and conversations filled with fond memories of the formerly living.

In the meantime, new media entities, independent reporters and others continue to grow in strength, reach, quality and penetration. In nature, once a vacuum is created, it's empty space is soon filled.

Even in the forest, the old growth eventually has to be cleared, for the new growth to rise. Sometimes they die of old age, sometimes its a brutal fiery death, as the trees are consumed in a raging inferno.

Speaking of trees, you know they make paper from dead ones right? Newspapers.

24 November 2012

On Vacation... Wish You Were Here.

I hope while I take this little vacation, my fellow Baltimore media will be on their best, to keep you informed. If my family allows me, I'll THINK about eventually returning to the streets that I've become so familiar with...

READER REACTION

In response to the sudden announcement of a much needed vacation for The Baltimore Spectator, David Taylor remarked via Facebook: "I don't have a birdcage, so it's not like I buy the paper anyway... you stay strong."

Meanwhile, since most of the media seems to spend the majority of their coverage on entertainment and sports, we thought we'd give you some good music to bounce too.

Reggae music... with BAGPIPES? Yes!!! The Black West Indian/Scottish-Irish connection is much stronger then "they" tell you. But let's be clear, this is a reggae cover of classic Pink Floyd, WITH bagpipes! For me, this is near musical heaven. That's all I'm saying...

Note: the white piper playing, he's wearing the colors of my family tartan. Funny how more of us are more connected and related than we think or we're told.

20 November 2012

EUROPEANS LOVE US! Foreign Journalist Notices Baltimore Spectator

I've often said I have a lot of European readers. I have solid proof of the this from the various traffic site monitors and website analytical tools which I monitor like I hawk. Unlike many news sites out there, I pay constant attention to where my traffic is coming from and make it a study to figure out how to better cater to my readers.

While I've always known of the many Europeans regularly reading The Baltimore Spectator, today was the first time I had proof I could share. The analytical information is considered a trade secret. I can't show you those graphs and charts, but what I can show you is this wonderful letter I received from Holland today.

- James
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Hello James,

How are you? At fist a little introduction. I'm [name removed], a 23 year old journalist from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I'm still a student of the School of Journalism but I'm acting as a freelance journalist.

As a lot of people I was a huge fan of tv-series The Wire. Ever since watching The Wire I've been looking up for news in Baltimore and I was determined to visit Baltimore and make a story about the problems with drugs, poverty, homelessness. Two weeks ago I was there and I was shocked. I just couldn't believe that this kind of -in my eyes- third world images would be possible in the United States of America. So much dealers on the corners, all the abandoned houses, the junkies on the streets. It was mind-blowing.

I visited the great people of Powell Recovery Center at South Broadway and they were blown away by the fact that I visited Baltimore on my own and with no supervision. "You've could of been shot", is what they said. The way they react made me see that Baltimore is not just a simple town on the east coast…

The people I spoke [with] had a great influence on me. It made up my mind. All those stories from the streets just became real to me. And it gave me the feeling that I have to come back and talk more and more with all kinds of people in the city. This is such a huge and unknown story in The Netherlands… I want to write a book about it.

Unfortunately I came across your blog and Twitter just hours after I was back in DC (where I stayed) leaving BD. So I would love meeting you whenever I go back. I think you have a lot of stories to tell…

Have a good one!

MESSAGE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT/INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

To all those who willfully, deliberately and routinely violate the civil rights of law abiding American Citizens; Yes, you're powerful. Sure, you're everywhere. But this is still America, and the Constitution of the United States Of America still reigns supreme as the law of the land. The Baltimore Spectator will vigorously and aggressively defend against any and all attempts at spying and suppression. Let it be known to all that we are already aware of the regular monitoring and shadowing attempts. There is nothing to hide, but cross the line and there will be hell to pay.

In the end, efforts to impinge upon the freedoms of the people will ultimately fail. Some of us may get taken out in the ongoing battle for true and lasting freedom, but as I've said many times before, and will say till the day I die or get taken out by you goons, THERE ARE MORE OF US, THAN THERE ARE OF YOU.

A.F. James MacArthur -- American patriot & lover of liberty.