In light of the Arizona shootings, I’m beside myself. Why can’t we vehemently disagree and not shoot to kill? What happened to political discourse in this country? I understand having a stake in an issue…and being threatened by the changing times…but killing people? What is going on?
I’m beside myself too about the media playing the 911 calls from the shooting…why? Because the taped recordings fill airtime? Because we as a society have become comfortable with the gory details? Enough already!
Since the corporate takeover of public opinion and the birth of the 24 news cycle…we’ve become a people I hardly recognize. I long for the nightly news with Walter Cronkite…for in-depth investigative reports based on research and supportable facts and not a lot of unsubstantiated drivel…yeah Jesse Ventura I’m talking about you and your silly Conspiracy Theory “show”.
I’m tired of the reality shows that elevate the mundane and the ridiculous (namely the Kardashians and the Jersey Shore folks)…and those that welcome, encourage and glamorize bad, dangerous, and criminal behavior.
So what do we do? Here are a few thoughts…turn off the TV, read a book (anything but true-crime or unauthorized biographies), commune with nature, find local artisans in your community and try their wares, play with your pet, take a nap or a long bath, say hello to the next person that passes you on the street, hold a door open for someone, explore a religion that’s foreign to you, talk to an older relative and ask how life was when they were growing up, drink a fine wine and imagine the climate that helped cultivate it, make a cake from scratch, rake leaves, find a local recycler and start recycling, hang up a hammock and lie in it, and count to ten when you get upset by another’s opinion.
I’m encouraged by Prince William’s wedding this summer. I remember Diana’s wedding…I remember how romantic it all was even though Charles was such a dweeb and the monarchy already an anachronistic entity. I remember how the sight of her dress and her shy smile were the most important images of the day…For a day the world was a beautiful, hopeful, and yes, romantic place. And how ironic that her tragic death would feed not only the 24 hour news cycle but continue today to fuel conspiracy theories – like so many other news stories.
I’m not saying the world needs to be more Disney-like, but come on…what are we really angry about…a Congresswoman’s position on Healthcare, or the fact that so many of us feel disenfranchised and don’t know what to do about it? Everywhere we look we see violence as a means to an end. This has to stop. We have to get to a point where we can talk and not scream…be angry but not violent and threatening, and we need to learn when to shut the hell up…and that goes for the networks too.
Keith Olbermann said it well - Violence and threats have no place in democracy. I couldn't agree more...whether you be from the Right, Left, or the Center...violence has no place.
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