Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The News

I need help. I'm serious.

CAUTION: Those who avoid reading the news because it is too depressing, you may want to stop reading here.

When things are slow at work sometimes I look at the news online. I boycott cnn.com off and on because they are SO biased politically, but I haven't found a better new site yet, so I went there today. I'm sure some of you will have already heard about one or all of the following, but here's what I saw in the news today:

1) A bombing at the US Embassy in Yemen, multiple attackers, mostly suicide bombers. I think I can understand the idea of dying for a cause, but if your cause is to kill other people? I'm lost.

2) In Nevada, a supposed serial rapist/murderer is on the loose, who leaves the underwear of it's previous victim at the site of his current crime.

3) In Phoenix, a 14-year-old left her living healthy baby in a garbage can. I know this is not the first time we've heard a story like this, but it still shocks me every time. The baby was found by the principal, luckily.

4) Thousands of babies are sick in China because of tainted baby formula. A few have died. The men who say they're responsible say they did it to cover losses of a previous rejection of their business.

Not to mention the devastation that natural disasters are spreading.

I think I can stop there, you get the idea. The news just stinks, I really hate it. But do I just try to be ignorant of goings on in the world? Do I read but try not to internalize anything? How do I feel informed without having to read story after devastating story? And the topics I mentioned are just from ONE DAY. I need advice.

So, I require comment from my readers. Both of you. I want to be an informed citizen of this country, but sometimes the news just makes me sad. (Now that I think about it, there was a really good conference talk about this subject a while ago. I'll read that, too.) So tell me what to do. I'm up for suggestions.

6 comments:

bethany said...

First of all-love the picture in the header of your blog-very cute.
Second-totally know how you feel. I think it's so important to be informed, ignorance annoys the crap out of me, but at what cost? A couple of days ago, I was sewing so turned on the TV. Oprah was on. The episode was about child pornography and abuse-something that I think everyone should be aware of, but after about 5 minutes I got so emotional about it that I had to change the channel. I spent that 1/2 hour watching Ellen interview mindless celebrities and felt much better.
I don't know if these stories/new shows drive away the Spirit-I certainly don't feel warm and fuzzy inside when I am watching/listening to them.

I think this comment was of no help to you-I didn't answer your question, just added to it :) Sorry.

Shelley said...

Hey Mand...that was a perfect post to illustrate why I never watch OR read the news...ever. I've been like that for a long time. It's not something I usually bring up or brag about because I do feel bad that I'm ignorant...and I do want to be a good citizen. But I have accepted that the best way for me to accomplish that is to be a good person and serve those around me and live my life fully with common sense caution, but not in fear. I have learned from a few noted experiences that news makes me way too depressed and consumes me. The only times I have felt a duty or desire to watch the news was during the 9/11 attacks and when President Hinckley died...that's it. And the 9/11 stuff had me totally a mess and completely glued to the television-tears never ceasing. So draining...I will never forget. Anyway, I just can't know...I can't. So I live in ignorance...even about current war info and election stuff. I read the bare minimum so I can vote. I am even to the point where if the news is on in the same household as me I freak out and have to leave or make someone turn it off...I can't even hear voices of news people. I obviously am an extreme opinion, and I don't at all try to spread my insanity, but that's how I have to life. LOVE YOU!

Lisa Lou said...

I believe there is a difference in "choosing to be ignorant" and picking what you will and won't watch/listen and then just not caring and not feeling. There is so much good that can be done to help those that suffer and we can make wise decisions from the mistakes of others. Definitely war and poverty and murders are a part of our world. They've always been a part of life for anyone. But there is so much more than that. Unfortunately, the media (being the media) can choose what to focus on. I really like NPR - they cover world and national news but have TONS of other information and human interest stories that are so informative and uplifting. Good luck. Life is very overwhelming sometimes!
Love you!

The Riley's said...

I am with you a hundred percent. My moother-in-law watches the news every morning and I try to, but then I just get too depressed. They should have a "Happy News Hour" When they focus on really cool and positive things that have happened to people, or great acts of service. Just my two cents...

Loretta said...

My darling daughter,
News travels very fast today. We know everything that happens to every one of the 6 billion of us. This instant, all encompassing news is happening for the first time in the history of man. Be thankful that the news only reports the worst. Therefore we can be reassured that what we are hearing is the absolute worst that man or woman does. That means we are still shocked, appalled, and saddened by these things or they wouldn't be of interest to the media. Good still lives in the hearts of everyone who reacts like you to today's news. And that's almost all of us.

Shelley Nicole said...

According to Lisa I "choose to be ignorant"- that's okay, I accept that. But it's so much more demeaning in quotation marks.