Tuesday, July 24, 2007

ALL THE NEWS REALLY SUCKS

I guess I'm getting too demanding. Must be old age. Or Alzheimer's. Or that hang nail. Maybe that allergy.
We've got four local TV stations here in Albuquerque who all insist on giving us what they call "The NEWS". The hottest news the other day was the fact a chain of gougy coffee shops was going to raise their prices for a cup of ladies coffee. (Ladies coffee has lots of strange stuff in it to disguise the coffee taste. Please don't ask me why.)
While I was trying to understand how this related to the horrible fiery crash of an airplane in their previous story, the newsreaders made jokes about the price of what they called coffee.
And there have been countless words and pictures on the shenanigans of a rich hotel heiress who doesn't mind having her sexual encouters on the WWW. When I was younger, this kind of girl was called a slut. Now, for whatever reason, these girls seem to be teen idols.
I fail to understand why a coffee shop raising their price is news.
I fail to understand why a slut has to be invited into my living room.
Then we were told about a movie star who had fallen off the liquor and drug wagons. Now that was deathless news. Might have ruined my understanding of why there are so many worthwhile people in the world if I hadn't seen this.
Next was a blazing hot story about people waiting in line to buy a book. Complete with pictures and interviews of line standers. On the one hand I was glad to hear that millions of people were reading. On the other hand, so what?
In the weather report, we are treated to weather all over the state. And the neighboring states. And the rest of the states. And selected cities and countries all over the globe. It's enough to make your eyes glaze over. And I want to ask a question: What's the difference between "scattered showers" and "isolated showers"?
Then in sports we are treated to a guy who is trying to beat a record. Although no one says he gets performance drug help. And no one mentions that the original record was set when the teams played a lot less games.
Next we get to hear the earth shaking news that a game referee was betting on teams when he was officiating. Seems to me all the big banks do something very similar all the time.
Then we hear of a quarterback on an American Football team whose idea of fun is to run a dog fighting arena. (Dogs rip each other to shreds in these things.) None of the newscasters points out that, since the quarterback is supposed to be the smartest player on the team, what does that say for the rest of the men?
Oh, yes, each and everyone of the local news shows have won awards from various unheard of organizations. They tell you that in each and every broadcast. I guess that's in case you think something along the lines of "this is crappy news, let's change the channel".
If I sound disgusted with newscasts, it is only because I am disgusted with news casts.
I might ask the Aussie Journalist if he has any clues why this goes on. I know, I know. He deals in print material. But maybe he knows how these TV "news reporters" (italics mine) sleep at night? Yes, if you were wondering, I was a hot metal gun lino operator long ago.
Got a different kind of surprise in the header, not funny at all.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Catmove (or is it Turkey?):
It's a little scary that we, the public, are kept ignorant by what we see on the news. As long as we're ingesting crap about celebrities and the price of latte we are brainwashed into thinking that's what our world is all about.

Have you ever been tempted to stop watching the news or reading the paper? Seems like the happiest people are news-free. I've thought about it briefly but I'm afraid I'm a hopeless news junkie.

alphonsedamoose said...

Great blog Cat. I agree with most of your points except the book one.See my blog on it.

Lin said...

Cat, you are indeed a crotchety old fart but with it comes sensibility and discernment so don't beat yourself up about it TOO badly.

I LIKED the surprise header link very much. Which politicos will be the next to respond to such ardent desires of the populace? I am not holding in any breath of elation for now but it is a promising start although probably the usual expedient window dressing salve.

Catmoves said...

babzy you seem to be saying "when ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."
Dang it I have been tempted to do those things you suggest. But I'm just like you. Hooked.
And yep, I'm the Turkey. lol.

Catmoves said...

moose, I guess I wasn't clear about Harry Potter books. I'm all for having our kids read. My kids learned from having us read Dr. Suess to them.
What my gripe was, was about the media hype that went into it.
And of course I read your blog.

Catmoves said...

lin, I don't have to beat myself up to be a crotchety ole fart. I are one. And besides, I have friends in NM who will do that for me.
Let's hope that article reaches those in power. I sent it to Senator Pete's office.

Ron Southern said...

There are a lot of lines crossed around here. I don't know where it started or where it ends.

alphonsedamoose said...

Cat: I understand it was the hype that is really bad. i agree with you on that.

Rachelle said...

Dear Catmoves,
Look at this face.... do you see the intelligence oozing out my nostrils (that are very close to you BTW, sorry if I drip)??

This is why we don't have television at our house.
Babzy's got it right.
No news is good news. Er.... at least I think it is......
hmmmm......
Slainte~
Rachelle

Catmoves said...

Hi Ron. That's the trouble with a multifacted article. I gotta quit doing that, I guess. It gets confusing to me too. My blondeness shows up with great regularity.

Catmoves said...

Rachelle please give me another handful of tissues? Dang this stuff is really gluey, isn't it?
As you might know, I'm in New Mexico so I'm sending you a link you might find interesting: http://victoryranch.com/.

Rachelle said...

oooh!!! I'm off to visit, I am sure I will be terribly jealous- it is so very beautiful there!
Thanks for the link! I do know several ranches there, but I don't recall this one!
Slainte~
Rachelle

Catmoves said...

You're welcome Rachelle.