The panic factory
Wednesday, 27 June 2007 | 112 readers so far
I listen to XM satellite radio every morning on my way to work, and every evening on my way home from work. Since I have a 70-mile one way commute, I get more exposure to news and politics than I would imagine a typical commuter does.
It occurred to me this morning while listening to ABC News that the United States of America has turned into a panic factory. We are fed stress all day long from hundreds of sources. You would think the world is about to end any day now based on the clamor coming out of my radio every day. Television is no different. Everything is designed and presented in a way that enhances or overstates whatever issue is being discussed. Here are some examples of the issues as presented through the eyes of ABC this morning:
Global warming - we’re all going to die underwater SOON! Luckily we have hundreds of artists who will sing about this issue until you are sick of it.
Iraq - no hope. It’s well past time to give up and get out. Nothing but death and destruction over there.
Health care - 47 million Americans are dying in the streets because we don’t have socialized hypochondria and unlimited free pills for everyone.
Man, I just don’t know how I’m going to get through my day. Everything is horrible.
1 June 27th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Dan O. says:
Global warming - we’re all going to die underwater SOON! Luckily we have hundreds of artists who will sing about this issue until you are sick of it.
Yea, but if you’d quit driving 140mi. a day for work, GW would just go away.
Iraq - no hope. It’s well past time to give up and get out. Nothing but death and destruction over there.
Death and destruction, during a war? Imagine! (Better there than here.)
Health care - 47 million Americans are dying in the streets because we don’t have socialized hypochondria and unlimited free pills for everyone.
Well, along with your driving causing GW, your smoking is causing the rising Healthcare costs. Trevor you’re just a one man destruction crew. Save a space for me on the lifeboat will ya?
2 June 27th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Roy Lofquist says:
In the fifties we were crouching under our school desks during atomic attack drills. Chicken Little is the all time box office attraction. Been that way for thousands of years. “In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king”. Being slightly deaf will get you through many things, not the least of which are the nightly news and marriage.
3 June 27th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Trevor says:
Roy,
Marriage isn’t bad compared to the nightly news
My wife hasn’t tried to drop a mortar on me - yet. I am glad I didn’t have to live through the Red Scare.
4 June 27th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Kitanis says:
Same thing is happening on regular AM radio..or print media, or NPR… or Television.
The Global Warming debate is fast becoming science fact because so many reporters only mimic the supporters.. But I noticed that in Britain.. the press do not endorse Al Gore’s movie or the science behind it on Mr. Gores voice alone. So there is reason in the world.. just small glimmers.
The Health Care Debate is old.. but its now new again. Too many people want the Government to provide to the “poor” with health care.. and it won’t be very long that they will claim that the rich should not be able to participate.. but will have to pay?
5 June 28th, 2007 at 7:46 am
alisa says:
And it’s only going to get worse as we get into full swing with the Presidential race.
6 June 28th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Roy Lofquist says:
Dear Trevor,
I not only lived through the red scare but also the coming ice age, the Club of Rome, The Population Bomb, The John Birch Society, alar, fluoridated water, the Red Menace, … and three marriages.
I’ve always known that something was going to kill me. Looks like I have a reasonable shot at old age doing the deed.
A nice brandy, an adequate cigar, a friendly dog and Dylan on the stereo are the perfect antidote to the craziness that has always been with us. Hang in there pard. Happiness comes from within, with a huge helping from family.
Regards,
Roy
7 June 28th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Trevor says:
I wonder how many trumped up scares I will get to live through Roy. You are correct that happiness comes from within. It’s all about what is going on in the old noggin’ that counts.