There are a number of reasons why I really don’t tend to watch the news much anymore.
One of the reasons is because, depending on what station you are watching it on, it’s slanted to one side of the aisle or the other. Another reason is the “Is this REALLY news, or are you just killing time?” story – mindless filler that I really didn’t need to see. The other reason that comes to mind is over-sensationalism…….and not all of it is really based in fact!
Take for example, this recent brouhaha over Mr. Bill Cosby. Now…….when I think of Bill Cosby, several images come to mind – the guy who showed us Picture Pages, who said “HEY HEY HEY!” in the Fat Albert cartoons…..and the guy on the stage telling us about things like driving your car in San Francisco and parenting in the show “Himself”. I don’t get images of some lecherous individual who victimizes women – that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and I say this for one really good reason……….no matter how many people come forward and CLAIM he did something, not ONE PERSON has had him arrested, brought to trial……….NOTHING. They just decide to have a field day at his expense and put his name down in the dirt for something that allegedly happened years ago!
I had to say “Bravo!” to the Buell Theatre in Denver recently for continuing to go forward with Mr. Cosby’s show, despite the protests outside, including a prominent attorney. Was she there to serve him papers or take him to court? Nope…….just outside holding a sign -that’s it. The story comes up time and time again, yet is anything done in court or in any legal arena – none that we’ve seen. You have to wonder why.
The Robert Blake thing and that O.J. ordeal – would those cases have been national headlines if they weren’t celebrities? I bet you they would not have been spending months on Court TV and the major news services if they weren’t. All of them were guys too – another interesting demographic in this whole stew of the media mincemeat mill.
By the way……..have you noticed that it’s, I’d say at least 97% of the time, that it’s men being prosecuted for being sick, lecherous, evil, vile people for what they supposed to have done to women, yet you hardly, if ever, see any men talking about those same types of traits in women who are victimizing men! Don’t EVEN tell me they don’t exist. I will tell you right now you are a bald-faced liar and have your head in the ground. I am ALL for equal rights for all, but there should be equal responsibility in the same vein!
Why don’t you see those stories in the news? Do you think journalists would jump on the same type of story if the roles in the tragedy between the man and woman were reversed? I’m not saying all women are sick perverts and abusers, but there are some in the world who are. I’m just glad I’ve never run into any of them, because I’m sure they are some brutal people – as much so as any male that exists on the face of this planet.
Going back to celebrities…….oh my GOODNESS. You cannot go one day without the “celebrity scandal of the day”. This is a tradition that has been going back for quite some time, yet seems to show no signs of slowing down at all! You come up with some slightly-possible story about some random celebrity, and if the right spin is put on it, then it becomes front-page news! The general public seems to have some sick fascination of dragging the famous down into the dirt, and then stomping on them. Gee, public……..jealous much? These people worked their butts off for what fame they have – let them enjoy it!
Why do celebrities stay away from the general public? Because we turn into animals around them, and then blame them for being stuck up. In this case, I can’t say I blame them!
Would I love to have coffee with Kate Mulgrew and talk about the state of the country? You bet.
Would I like to enjoy a tabletop game session with Wil Wheaton until 2am in the morning? Sign me up!
Ask me if I want to chat with Kate Forsyth about fantasy writing and technique? Would love to!
These people I would not blame if they wouldn’t because we are just an evil bunch who puts these people up on pedestals, and then hurl tomatoes at them for any reason at all. We made them this way, and then we spew stories about them on the news if they shun our overtures. Are they guilty? In this case, no. These people don’t even have normal lives anymore because of the media and the general public. Every time I see a news story about what (random celebrity) did for dinner with (random other person), I tend to change the channel. I like my dinner/coffee klatches much more than whatever they were doing.
So let’s leave the famous alone and let them enjoy the fruits of their labors – they deserve that much.
