All the News That Distracts We Print
I grew up in a news "culture." My dad was the film critic on The New York Times as long as I could remember, and the Times newsroom was a second home to me. Journalism was honored and honorable. Times have changed. Oh, the Times is still the gold standard, and despite some slips here and there maintains its integrity and gravitas. but the news business drops off steeply from there. Business is the operative word. To be economically viable a news outlet, whether print or broadcast, must aim at the mass market, and in the marketplace people want junk. As a result it seems as if that's almost all there is, but still I remain hooked on news, a holdover from childhood. As much as I'd prefer to quit, like an addict I keep on buying the newspapers and turning on the TV news. Maybe it's so I can come up with correct responses on "Jeopardy." I can just imagine, a look into the future:Answer: The mother of the 16-year old billionairess celebrity star of reality TV making headlines for getting drunk and stoned and driving her Rolls Royce into the Beverly Hills pool of best-selling psychologist and author Brittney Spears.
Question: Who is Anna Nicole Smith?
posted by John M Crowther @ 7:01 AM
6 Comments:
OK, I have to admit I do watch TV after I go to bed... the late news and Jay Leno. Jay's questions to young guests about our history, etc. shows our education system is no good.
"Yes, One out of every two is crazy. Sometimes I think it is you and sometimes, I think, me." (Quote from my father)
Or as the old saying goes, everyone's crazy except me and thee, and sometime I have my doubts about thee."
LOL you two! The version I learned as a youngster was:
"All the world's a little queer except for me and thee... and even thee's a little queer"!!!!
Now that the word queer has taken on a whole new meaning not sure I could safely use that one again! (Along with "when I was young and gay" - they used to sing about it - now my kid's eyebrows go up at the mention that I could have once been young and gay! *sigh*) Sorry... being politically inc. a-g-a-i-n! LOL LOL
LOL, Jean. Yes, we were innocent once. One time in junior high school a teacher went into a tirade because kids were taunting a somewhat effemninate boy by calling him a "fairy." She ranted about how dreadful it was that a perfectly good word like fairy had been destroyed, and went on to say that it was the same with "pansy." I remember wondering, what the heck is she talking about?
The word “fairy” has come a long way since its Latin origins in Fāta, the goddess of fate. Anyone who has ever seen a production of Barrie’s “Peter Pan” will recall that delicious moment when Wendy turns to the audience and says "Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands! ...” Depending on the age and nature of the audience, that request never fails to get a huge round of applause.
Being a true Scot, I believe in fairies. They just did a survey in Scotland and almost 80% of Scots believe in the 'little people'. As for the news, I have given it up for Lent. A sacrifice but surely it will bring me extra blessings. Also, if I wait long enough, maybe they will have buried that poor woman and left her in peace.
Great cartoon, John C and witty commentary as usual. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that my computer stays healthy now. Thought it was fixed yesterday and then it had a relapse last night.
Post a Comment
<< Home