Good morning to those of you who have been eagerly awaiting my return to the blogging world. Alas, it is probably just me that has been waiting. But, return I have, and my gripe today? The news.
First, let me start off by reminiscing about what the news used to be: unbiased, unilateral coverage of the most important happenings in America and the world. Remember those horrifically truthful news spots of the Vietnam war? Well neither do I, but I've seen repeats of them, and if you haven't seen them, you should. Those spots produced by either insane or insanely brave men and women brought the horror of what was happening in Vietnam to the forefront of the nation's, and indeed the world's, attention. back then Journalism meant something. Sure it usually meant trying to find the most horrific or scandalous story available, but they were deep stories that needed to be told. Without these stories, there is no telling where our world and country may have turned. For example, remember the efforts of Woodward and Bernstein to expose corruption and deceit in the federal government? Granted that story furthered the framework of massive distrust in the federal government, but it has also led to new levels of accountability amongst our nations leaders. Accountability that was sorely needed.
Now that we are all nostalgic, compare the efforts of those heroic, and possibly insane, journalists of only a few decades ago to modern day journalism. If you begin weeping for the future of our country, I wont think any less of you. This morning my wife and I turned off the news after about 30 seconds of viewing, because every single channel was plastered with news about Britney Spears, role model of the century, being whisked off to the hospital with a police escort. Now I know everyone loves good human tragedy, but this is getting ridiculous. There are stories about millions of people in the third world being tortured and killed because their tribe just happens to be the one out of favor at the moment. That's right folks, MILLIONS. And if that isn't enough human tragedy for you, I don't know what is.
Even if human tragedy doesn't interest you, there a hundreds of other great positive stories out there that don't involve an over-indulgent young woman who has lost just about everything that made her a semblance of a human being. There are stories about wonderful people doing fantastic work that they aren't even getting paid to do. There are stories about people overcoming their horrific ailments to make a difference in not only their lives but the lives of everyone around them. There are stories about what made the people of this nation wonderful and great in the first place. But no one wants to hear the good news. We want to hear about people that have more money and fame than us falling on their faces because it makes us feel better about ourselves. And shame on the major news networks for pandering to the hordes of self-loathing individuals who can't change themselves. The media is in a better position than anyone, even the government, to bring about change. Not just change in the country, but in this new world of globalization. The media controls exposure, and without exposure, no problem can be uncovered and thus solved.
So where are those heroes of journalistic integrity that stormed the jungle for the truth? Probably stuck in the back corner of the news room, searching for a dough nut for the nightly news anchor who proudly flaunts his Armani suit while smiling at the plight of someone who just a few years ago he secretly idolized.
I know, I know, I'm not always the most positive person in the world. But I love this country and believe in the good things that this country can do. And it irks me that we as a nation have squandered our ability to help and encourage those in need here in America, as well as throughout the rest of the world. We are all humans, we are all in the same earthly boat.
