Who are these people?
Jeffrey Dahmler, Susan Smith, Timothy McVeigh, The Heaven's Gate cult,
Jim Jones, Charles Manson. How do I know these names? How do I know
what they've done, and where it happened? Why is it that I know more
about the O.J. Simpson trial than I do about what UNICEF has done over
the past ten years? I have heard it said time and time again that to
blame the media for the ills of society is simplistic, but really, is
it?
If you can name the winners of the Nobel prize for the last two years,
you are in the minority. If you don't know anything about the O.J.
trial, you are also in the minority. Tabloid television is barricading
the pathways of clear and rational thought and no one really seems to
care. Is it right for gang members to be glorified by taking the top
story in the nightly news while Johnny at the Red Cross relief center is
lying on the cutting room floor because his helping flood victims would
have taken the news five seconds over?
There's a lot wrong with society, but there's a lot that's right too. To
dwell on those bad apples which spoil the pie is the first step in dimming
the light bulb of hope, and that is a tragedy in it's own right. So Pee-
Wee Herman is making the most of his finger puppet in Florida. Do I have
to know about this? What one sick little attention grabber does is not
noteworthy. Give me a story of hope. Something which says, "Yeah, there's
a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't approved by Amtrack."
Let's be responsible, people. If someone on the news is telling you that
all we have to look forward to is depravity and hopelessness, change the
channel. Better yet, since you can see this page, you probably have internet
access. Sign up with one of the many news services. Read the articles which
help you become the better person and just scan the headlines which give
you nothing to look forward to.
The choice is yours... make it with confidence. I have heard noted psychologists
from around the world talking about how our minds are like computers. GIGO -
Garbage In, Garbage Out. Don't be afraid to take out the garbage.
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