And the beat goes on….

Do you ever sit and really think about what you get from the news?  I’m talking TV, radio, the web - all media outlets for news reporting.  Ever notice how the same story lasts for days or even weeks?  It continues to get watered down as the story repeatedly weaves its way through the various reporting agencies, but it’s essentially the same story rehashed over and over again.

Sure, different viewpoints will be questioned - from those closest to the situation, to those farthest away, but don’t you get tired of hearing the same thing?  No matter how you spin a story eventually it becomes old news.  Time to move on.  This could also be part of the reason we become desensitized…

Sorry, it has been one of those weeks in Western New York.  Sadly our very own Tim Russert passed away.   Since then we have been overrun with articles, news specials, interviews, etc in regards to the life of one of Buffalo’s most well known sons.

I couldn’t help but wonder how his family and friends have been able to truly mourn and move on?  How could you?  I know I couldn’t if everytime I turned the TV or radio on, that was all I heard about.  Try checking the news on the web?  Even Google News has listed several stories a day about the man.  I’m sure that is part of the price of fame, but still some respect? 

And while some may argue that it is respect for the man, that caused the media barrage, I simply don’t agree. This happens all to often, regardless if its the passing of someone famous or well respected, a murder plot, or political scandal, etc. How about some original reporting on new and informative topics?  Must they continue to re-report the same story continuously, interviewing people further and further removed from the story? True respect would be letting those closest to the situation move on and deal with the loss. Instead of squeezing every last shred of possible emotion out of the story.

It all came to a head for me earlier this past week on my morning commute to work.  While listening to the radio I came upon an interview with an intern on the set of Meet The Press who was speaking about what it was like to see the empty chair this week.  Seriously!  Is this news?  Does anyone care?  Is that how bad life and society have become?  Have we sunk so low as to be entertained or informed by this useless garbage being pawned off as news?

Don’t even get me started on the lack of class that is consistently demonstrated by those in the media.  How can you stand and ask someone who has just lost a loved one, “How are you feeling?” or “How are you dealing with this tragic loss?”.  Have we become so unattached from our own feelings that we are no longer able to put ourselves in the shoes of those suffering and empathize with them?  Are we that void of emotion that we must ask those in the throes of agony to describe their current emotional state like some sort of sick voyeuristic show, called the news?

I had to sit with this post for a couple days before deciding to publish it.  I’m not one to sit and complain (at least I like to think that).  I firmly believe that should you be interested enough in something to complain about it, you should be doing something about it.  Otherwise, shut up!

While I enjoy posing questions about life, I more so enjoy the discovery of answers.  The learning experience and various viewpoints that you get to check out, while finding your own personal truths, but this one left me void of hope and answers - thus my dilemma in posting it.

Have you ever been accused of not being able to see the obvious?  I’m very guilty of that, probably more so than I realize.  This was no different.  The very reason for this site and thousands of others like it, that cover all ranges of topics, is the hope and answer.

By using this media outlet, we the people, can share our views and opinions freely with the word at large.  We offer an alternative to the mainstream media whores of today and hopefully soon of yesterday!  Tired of reruns?  Try searching the web for sites/blogs that feature the content that interests YOU!  There is some pretty good stuff out there by a lot of intelligent original writers.

And the beat goes on….

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