First I must make a confession. I no longer watch the news…not local, not CNN, not MSNBC not any news. Any info I get comes from bloggers, liberal radio and other internet sources. I turned off the tv on Nov. 3rd after Kerry’s speech and haven’t watched one iota of news since. So maybe I’m not really qualified to speak on this topic…but that’s not going to stop me.
After listening to Randi Rhodes and some of the Majority Report tonight I began to think about our media. Most people get their news from cable stations because it’s easy. Flip the channel on the hour and catch up with the headlines. But the headlines are probably not telling people what they need to hear.
Was there any discussion on today’s news about the laws being passed that give pharmacists the right to refuse to dispense medication based on their so called moral beliefs?
Was there any mention in the news about a state passing a bill today that allows any medical personnel immunity from prosecution for refusing to treat anyone they consider not moral or against their own personal moral beliefs?
Did anyone happen to see a great story about how our judicial branch of government is being threatened by rightwing zealots?
I think by now you get my drift. We have been waiting for the American people to wake up. An illegal war didn’t do it. Election irregularities didn’t even cause a stir. Social security has some looking through the squinting eyes as one coming out of a deep sleep. And now Terry Schaivo has people getting out of bed.
Okay so now the alarm clock has started to ring. So what do we do now. The stories I mentioned above are the ones that will get people moving –believe me they will jump out of bed if they see what is really going on here. The Schaivo case has proven that. The recent polling shows this without a doubt. It is the bedroom issues that are going to get America moving again. No one wants the government to tell them how to pray, believe (or not) in God, or to make so called moral decisions for them.
So its time for us to get moving also. Talk these issues up! Start writing to CNN, MSNBC,etc. E-mail Matthews, Olbermann, Russert, and Stephanopoulos(I’m sure I murdered that name!). And don’t stop with the supposed fair and balanced press. Hit the real conservatives too. I know Fox is a hopeless cause but some conservatives are not. True conservatives who have been seen to disagree with the repugs on the Shaivo case will possibly be receptive to this type of discussion. George Will is one that comes to mind.
Maybe, just maybe these stories will get some coverage. I don’t know if this will work, but I do know it will never work if we don’t try. And if it doesn’t…well my favorite pastime is telling everyone I know (and some people I don’t know) what is going on in our government these days.
I know many of you will think that this is a futile cause but I am tired of waking up each morning more depressed than the last. I’m tired of feeling helpless and hopeless. And most of all I’m tired of looking at my kids and wondering what kind of future they will have if our country keeps traveling on its present course. So…tomorrow I will start writing to anyone and everyone with any ability to get these news stories heard.
First of all, let me congratulate you on your non-TV news watching. I heartily encourage you to donate all your sets to the charity of your choice. You can watch future Kerry speeches etc. on C-Span’s website…
The question you raise in this Diary has always been one that I’ve been in two minds about. On one hand, it’s true that most people get their news (not just on “news” program but news in the sense of cultural information in general) from the tube. On the other hand, the media itself creates a passivity that heroin, alcohol and other drugs could never hope to achieve.
I somehow think the shortest route to the end we seek (awareness of issues) would come with the elimination of television itself rather than seeking to control the media. That’s my two cents anyway 🙂
Pax
on the crusadenets.News is business. That means giving the viewers, and the sponsors, what they want.
Right now, that’s mostly Terri Schiavo. There is also quite a bit of interest in the Michael Jackson trial, and the audience appreciates periodic updates on the decline of the Pope.
They want heartwarming stories of their gunmen. They want to see interviews with pretty young wives with gurgling babies, and cute toddlers lisping about daddy killing the bad guys. They do not want to see the results of daddy’s wetwork, they just want to be assured that Muslims are being slaughtered in larger numbers than crusaders are being “welcomed.” Features on earnest young men receiving medical treatment while mumbling patriotic slogans are always popular.
They want to be reassured that the Disappeared will remain so, that those who languish gasping in America’s many “interrogation facilities” are getting a good dose of the red white and blue, especially the red, but they like to be told that indirectly, just to confirm that their money is being spent according to their desires, and the occasional reminder that Uncle Sam will be delivering a big ol’ heapin’ helpin’ of freedom and democracy that Fallujah got, is still gettin’ hell yeah.
And then back to a detailed description of the probable current condition of Terri Schiavo’s lips.
I’ve written more than a few letters myself, trying for the same thing. And I will continue, for what little it’s worth. I do think some real news is leaking out, it’s just not being accepted yet. The realization that we aren’t the good guys is hard to accept for a lot of people. I’m in the same boat as you regarding television news, I have one small set for the dvds to play on and I get my news from blogs and Pacifica radio on line.
news that affects their daily lives. Granted the inter/national news stories hog airtime on the majors, but plenty of people become aware of, and take action on issues closer to home [State, local]. The “trial by media” stories may be headlined, but most of the time they’re good for an hour’s worth of conversation on the job – not much more.
I understand your sense of urgency, but I’d suggest drilling into the information infrastructure a little deeper. The stories you say aren’t getting enough play have all been on one news site or another. And I’d take the reverse course and suggest if you see an article you like, send a positive e-mail to the author.
In government, I think Boxer was overwhelmed – and pleasantly surprised – by the support for her votes on the election and AbuGonzales. Reid, Byrd, and SDCC have heard loud support as well. So have State legislators, mayors, governors, and House members.
Information travels from television, to morning papers, to magazine articles, then books on point. That travel time – for people to become educated and informed on major issues – is measured in months, sometimes years. Especially at a time when people are re-examining fundamental beliefs. Patienza – patience.
I think most of the American public will hear the truth – facts – when stories are written/broadcast without any particular bias. The “right/left” advocates are the lawyers, let the people be the judge.