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Benzinha, it is a symptom of a "got the T-shirt" mentality. So many people believe it is their right to participate in stories. No one can just read and watch.
posted by
Azur
on March 28, 2005 at 4:46 AM
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May, I think that the Press shines a light on a small story and then self-
agrandizing glory seekers take on a bit of that spotlight by hooking themselves up with that story, that cause, that small thing. Some succeed in making the thing, the small story, grow and the Press loves to watch things grow, keeps down the need to cover something new and more difficult.
When I saw the cost of the Scott Peterson trial, I compared that with the cost of a nobody Asian, Mexican or Black murderer and victim and decided that it's the Press which ups the costs of things by focusing on the small stories. Maybe certain lawyers pay them to up the ante(?) on the small story, so that they can hook up with it and charge millions to defend the accused.
Naw, that's much too cynical a view of the whole thing, but, lawyers do follow CNN headlines, I swear and the t.v. never covers those other ethnicities in the same way, no major American sympathy for minorities, I think. Little interest and less empathy or concern, or coverage.
posted by
benzinha
on March 27, 2005 at 1:43 PM
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Scoop, I saw a little of it but I think such events make a circus of things. In this case it would seem the controversy is being whipped up where in the other stories I mention it was in accordance to events.
posted by
Azur
on March 27, 2005 at 11:45 AM
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MayB no, not on that scale
have you seen some of the footage of these protesters, some of them look like are on a day pass from a psycho ward. And their spokesperson Randall Terry is not someone I would have gone to. I think he has been arrested about 40 times and has been involved in some questionable anti abortion tactics and demonstrations.
posted by
scoop
on March 27, 2005 at 11:39 AM
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Scoop, I get the difference but do you think this latest news is up there on the same level as 911 and the tsunami? The way that people seem to be allowing it to pre-occupy them indicates that.
posted by
Azur
on March 27, 2005 at 11:25 AM
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May B I think the difference is this,
One was a natural disaster and the other they feel they can prevent.
Just to add to Temple, we do need to do more here at home. When the news was showing the area around Red Lake Minnesota where the school rampage took place we got to see and hear how their living situation is and it is pitiful. I just don’t understand how we can send billions overseas and we can’t give granny her pills, or families decent housing here at home.
posted by
scoop
on March 27, 2005 at 6:16 AM
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You're welcome to use the space as a soapbox Temple. Yes, I think your pin-up analogy is quite right. As for putting matters at home right first, while you can make improvements, it might take forever to fix things and sometimes the big picture - ie stability in the world and helping countries to be in a position where they can be viable are in the interests too of wealthy countries
posted by
Azur
on March 27, 2005 at 5:15 AM
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Thank you Passionflower
posted by
Azur
on March 27, 2005 at 5:10 AM
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Yes, very good post.
It has been blown out of proportion, indeed. The reason, to me, being that the evidence shows it was her wish to die in this situation....this is not our business...and people do this every single day. She's become the poster girl for a political agenda. As far as need vs. geography, I disagree with you there. I'm tired of living in a country who's teachers and police officers make less than its athletes and politician. Where we give more money to foreign aid than we do to our own health care system. Other countries have grown tired of us butting our big fat greedy noses into their business all the time and trying to make them like us, or stealing their resources, or whatever the case may be. I think it's time we start taking care of the United States and Americans before we destroy the joint. It's getting scary round these parts if you ask me. I am a liberal and I have always been a very service minded person. I have lived my personal and professional life helping others, on four legs and two. But, when you can't keep your own house in order, you need to tend to that first. Things are falling apart in this country, and I'm honestly afraid for us. I don't think the answer is to turn our backs, but to re-evaluate our priorities, with ALL of our spending.
Thank you for the use of this soap box, here ya go. :)
posted by
Temple
on March 27, 2005 at 12:30 AM
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Good Post!!
posted by
Passionflower
on March 27, 2005 at 12:08 AM
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