The Media

This one may come off as partisan rambling with more than a tinge of vitriol, but really, it’s born of a frustration with the 24-hour news cycle and the over-hype that it engenders.  Specifically, I'm talking about the reactions to the shootings in Arizona this weekend, but I could just as easily be talking about whatever snowstorm moves through a particular city (particularly if it’s someplace on the East Coast) or whatever sports story ESPN determines to be of particular import to god-only-knows-who.  I'm reality, the majority of what goes on does not impact me, or you, or anyone else – all news, like politics, is local. 

Are the shootings in Tucson tragic?  Hell yes they are and Jared Loughner needs to get the Tim McVeigh treatment as soon as possible – the world will be a better place when the lights dim in Terre Haute, IN or Marion, IL or whatever Federal Pen gets the honor of flipping the switch on the chair he is sitting in.  However, the fact that this nutcase did this should not be an indictment on the gun laws in this country, any particular political movement or viewpoint and it sure as hell shouldn’t be a reason to move a news broadcast (I'm looking at you, CBS, though I'm sure the others were there as well) to a live remote to add “gravitas” to the proceedings.  I know the fact a member of Congress was shot drives much of the sensationalism around this – but really, even the actions of a House Rep don’t carry much weight unless he or she happens to represent your district.

The need to fill a 24-hour news cycle with content is the reason we are cursed with Glen Beck and Nancy Grace – I would like to think that Murrow or Conkrite would have personally kicked both of their asses as soon as look at them (much less listen to them) but they are what we have become – blathering, screaming idiots that are supposed to “represent” a viewpoint held by a segment of the country and as such, are supposed to have intrinsic value.  And because people give these hacks the time of day, people like Brian Williams and Katie Couric (whatever your opinion of them may be as well) and their broadcasts have to stoop to “respond” in kind.

Don’t even get me started on the weather in NYC

[Deep Breath]