Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Culture of Fear


Another reason why I can't stand the local news. Not only do they serve up "snow storm panic" every year, but we also get "heat wave panic", "ID theft panic", and the ever so generic "see what can KILL you...in 10 minutes when we come back from break panic".
Now we have "earthquake panic". Yep, we live on a fault line. Yep, we are over due for "the BIG one". Yep, to say it would do some serious damage, is an understatement. Should we PANIC?! Nope.
Instead of focusing on how we can help people in Chile, or what is being done in Chile for their people. OR just providing the facts, we get story after story warning us that we are next. We will die. Portland will fall into the earth. Oregon will crack off the continent and fall in the ocean. UG - I say ENOUGH!
Get a grip for Gods sake!
What is it with this whole living in fear of what we can't control era? Swine Flu. Earthquakes. Meteors bearing down on the planet. ETC ETC ETC.
I've been wanting to read The Culture of Fear: Why Americans are Afraid of the Wrong Things for a long time. I'm going to get it at the library today.
I care about whats happening in the world, as do most of us. But, our local news sucks. I want facts, not emotional warnings and fear tactics.

3 comments:

Shannon said...

You know what I care about? You, my friend. Or more specifically - have you finished New Moon yet?

And also - I laugh in the face of panic. 2012? Bring it on!

Anonymous said...

I agree Tina...ugh

My favorite today was "can u trust your GPS?" because some dum-dums drove into the snow......uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...if the snow starts getting deep, turn around! Don't blame the gps!!!

Judi

Jean said...

Haha! I forgot that you had written this post! We are like-minded sisters! I love it!