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Okay, one of my Resolutions is officially down the drain.

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina

And all it took was a few people being shot and injured and killed and to read the Media behind it all.

I vowed to no longer watch FOX or MSNBC, though there are certain contributors that I feel are journalistically relevant.  And I broke that vow and that's on me and I'm probably just as irritated right now as David Hasslehoff's Liver because of it.

The news of the day is what happened Saturday.  A bald-headed guy with a mouse now under his left eye went ballistic and shot some people, killed some people, injured some people.  As our pious representatives in the Media would parlay that info, that turned into a political war.  Some on the left blamed Palin, Beck, Rush, and other quivering intellectuals for stirring such a pot that was eventually going to overflow.  The right shot back with examples of hypocrisy from the left in other matters where blame could have been placed, but never was .... because everyone knows that if you didn't like the administration before this one ... Cheney dying of a heart-related problem isn't a bad thing.

I'll be as point blank as I can be.  The Far-Left & Far-Right folks SUCK!  Capital letters, intended.  While I would intend them no physical harm, they've done nothing but be the loud and vicious voices representing nothing more than better ratings, similar to being the Jerry Springer of Prime-Time News.  But they ain't news.  No logical intellectual can convince me that FOX & MSNBC are purely journalistic entities.  They are entertainment.  Personally, I choose my entertainment to be contrived, in the form(s) of Professional Wrestling, Soap Operas, or being an extra in a Woody Allen Film.

And I've been part of the problem, as I watch it ... listen to it ... react to it ... feed into it.  Yup, I'm no better than their agenda.  Instead of ignoring it, I've fed into it ... like I'm doing now.  I try to fight it because I believe it to be ridiculous.  I try and fight it because I take a Jeet Kun Do philosophy when it comes to Politics, take what works and use it.  Take what doesn't, get rid of it.  I don't care where the right or wrong ideas come from; I just want to implement the right ones.  One Party Thinking is a recipe for ... not disaster (we've been around awhile with numerous parties entering the fold), but for simplistic thinking.  Sure, you may get ratings and such, yet we should all ask ourselves one prominent little question, "What the hell were we thinking when we turned a tragedy into God Damn Debate on what is right or wrong with this Country Politically, one of the better ones that have survived civilization?"

And so we'll "Lean Forward" and "Take Our Country Back" and make it about "WE THE PEOPLE" rather than actually be empathetic and understand this kind of stuff is truly an anomaly.  By the way, I do tend to scoff at folks utilizing the "WE THE PEOPLE" mantra, as if those who don't concur with them aren't amongst those very people.  The chap that shot these people deserves the type of treatment one would get if asking a construction worker for a ball massage. 

Take a look at your left-wing cousin or your right-wing uncle, do you want them to be treated as just a pawn in a political game if they were shot point-blank on an otherwise boring Saturday waiting for the Playoffs?  While I think they suck, they sure do deserve a bit more respect than that.

Many of us claim to pray and know God.  I'll believe that when/if we actually ever get this thing called life.  For now, we have more pimples on our pedestrian asses from a spiritual sense than Sephoria can shake a Devil's Skincare Ad at.

I'm a smart man; I'd like to think.  I'm a sane man; I'd like to believe.  And I also moisturize.   But that's another commercial ...

 

Comments (27)

Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

There is nothing wrong with being political. Self-righteous separation from the political process is self-indulgent at best. Or should we all line up and shove our heads in the sand?

Do you think I feel strongly about this? Absolutely. Thinking people need to think. Thinking people can presumably can sort and filter biased information from a range of media sources. It's like exercise -- resistance and controversy and debate build mental muscle.

Innocent people died for nothing more than a creepy idiot's self-indulgent madness. We need the media to exploit this until every single creepy madman has his gun and his gun rights taken away.

Jan 10, 2011 03:51 PM
Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

As long as the media is allowed to do what they do, and get the ratings, nothing will change in the way news is reported.  Not to mention the tragedies.  I am sickened by the way the media handles news.

Jan 10, 2011 03:52 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

MSNBC an FOX are both politcally slanted.  Sadly though - CNN is the only one that is neutral - and that's not selling.  I like Parker-Spitzer on CNN for balance.

Jan 10, 2011 03:59 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

Jason...I'm with you to an extent.  I'm as far off on the perimeter as they make them.  The difference?????  I'm not really sure, but I know that I'm not whacked enough to go whacking other folks.  It's so different to have feelings towards something versus acting on something.  Needless to say, I really don't think that I'm furthest off center, but my point is,....even if you are the furthest off center, it's still a choice to go from "way out there" to choosing to pull a trigger to take someone's life.  Just my .02 cents bud!

Jan 10, 2011 04:59 PM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Jason - I too was kind of obsessed all weekend with the news of the tragedy.  By Sunday night, I'd had enough of the media's presumptions and spin.  Geez, they're getting as bad as the spinmasters in D.C.

Jan 10, 2011 05:56 PM
Maureen Fukumoto
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen

Jason, The polarization is happening at all levels, not just on the news.  My daughter (27 yrs old) ran for office as a Republican and at a rally a very large intimidating man (Democrat) walked right up to her and said "you know you're the enemy, don't you?"   Republican,  Democrat, Independent  or whatever, that's just not right.  I agree, the events in Az should not be fodder for news ratings but divisiveness is a problem in this country that we must address before we destroy ourselves.

Jan 10, 2011 07:29 PM
Karl Hess
Keller Williams Shore Properties - Barnegat, NJ
on The Jersey Shore

At the risk of sounding condescending, I make the following recommendations:

Morning Joe - MSNBC - Probably the best 'news-talk' on TV, with Joe Scarborough, former Republican Congressman from Florida.

Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace - the ONLY real journalist on the entire network.

The News Hour - Probably the best news broadcast on TV, they take 2 or 3 subjects and spend about 15 minutes on each. Very dry, very good.

NPR Radio - I know my friends on the right disagree with this, but they're just reiterating a talking point without evidence. NPR Radio is, by far, the most in-depth coverage of current events, long-term issues and politics from multiple perspectives.  For example, there is a very informative interview with Tim Pawlenty talking about health care reform on right now, as I'm typing this. 

 

Jan 10, 2011 11:28 PM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTORĀ®/Broker/Designer

I second Karl on NPR - I've been a subscribing listener since the 70's and nothing, but nothing comes close to the unbiased, in-depth coverage they provide. I also love News hour for the same reasons. I hope I've turned you on to NPR enough to help you refine your disgust with FOX and MSNBC. One of these days you'll look back and realize those programs were the Sesame Street to your path of mature and thoughtful adult perspective.

As for your New Year's Resolutions... it's not too late baby.

Jan 10, 2011 11:47 PM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

We are American citizens – who are concerned about the extreme polarization of our politics, and the resulting breakdown of effective governance. 

Sign the Declaration and join our movement today:http://bit.ly/nlsdeclaration

Jan 11, 2011 02:18 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Sardi - that is why I don't make resolutions, just try to make changes in my life. You have to weed through the rhetoric. It wasn't Palin's targeting Arizona, it wasn't Obama's "We''ll bring a gun..." comment that triggered this terrible act, that I am still struggling comprehend. He was a nut that went off the deep end in 2007 and fixated on Giffords culminating in this action. Hang in there.

Jan 11, 2011 03:12 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jason, well stated.  Both political parties and even the fringe parties are like locomotives with the emphasis on "loco" as they careen across the landscape with no tracks at all---none.

Jan 11, 2011 03:55 AM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Extremism in any form will never yield positive results. That guy is a whack job who would have done what he did sooner or later. It just happened to be sooner. It's all very sad and disturbing.

Jan 11, 2011 09:10 AM
Dale Terry
Yadkinville, NC

Your post has really made me think.  I am now coming out and saying I moisturize too.

Jan 11, 2011 11:35 AM
Hugh Krone
Weichert Referral Associates - Hamburg, NJ
Realtor, Sussex County NJ
MOISTURIZING IS GOOD
Jan 11, 2011 11:44 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

I am tired of both political parties...  I identify with one more than the other... but they piss me off, too.  But the bigger problem is when people react with violence, or react to violence or injustice without knowing all... most... or even some of the facts. 

The biggest issue with this tragedy is that the media started reacting with an absence of facts.  They politicized it.  Instead of reporting a true tragedy, lives destroyed or interupted by a madman, they tried to lay blame.  So, rather than being able to focus on the tragedy and helping people heal, we are pushed into a debate... a debate that needs to happen, but not at the cost of people being able to grieve their loved ones, or pray for their healing.

Jan 11, 2011 01:52 PM
Andrew J. Lenza
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Holmdel, NJ

Agreed. I did not watch the news covering the event. To politicize the murders -- while loved ones in Arizona had yet laid their lost into the ground -- is most heinous. And that includes "opening up a dialogue" on social media outlets. When President Kennedy was assassinated the country, rightly, mourned the man and our collective loss. We attempted to reconcile the trespass with introspection. 

Here no inward seeking. Just outward accusations.

Have we lost our compass? If we have to ask, surely we are wandering aimlessly.

Jan 11, 2011 03:36 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Lenza - In some/any fashion, I probably shouldn't write about such a thing at all.  I'm feeding into the crap ...

Lane - I agree totally, my friend.

Hugh - That's true.  I look 25 if you ignore the patch of skin at the top of my skull showing through my hair.

Home Reality Group - A little behind the earlobe, amigo.

James - I agree.  If folks like me would stop buying into the BS, we'd be better off. 

Buell - Kind of makes you (read>me) want to start your (mine) own Political Party, ignoring the screaming lambs and concentrating on making the world a bit better whether it pads the wallet or not.

Saunders- Well put.  You've got a level head.  I dig that.  We don't always agree.  I dig that too.  That's a part of the equation.  The other stuff ... makes me feel slimy and soul-less.

Mitchell - In theory, LOVE the idea!  I'm game.

MJ - Watch yourself, you are dating yourself.  And while you mentioned you've dated yourself before, which means I have to measure up ... well, this is no time for a dream and girth reference from my end.  Have I told you today that I adore you?

Karl - Wallace, Joe, & NPR I'm familiar with.  Good stuff.  I'm also a mark for Meet The Press.  I'll check out the other (The News Hour).

Maureen- I'd like to meet that rather large man and shove a fistful of flowers into his throat.  And then exchange numbers.  That's unnecessary, to say the least.  I've always preferred (hence my involvement in certain fighting forms) my violence to pre-conceived and very rarely real. 

Donne - We agree more than we disagree and that probably makes you right :)

Bettag - I know what you are saying, my man.  I'm well aware that we aren't in-line as far as Political Circles, but you have my respect on many levels.  Besides that, I love to learn from folks who I may disagree with initially ... there's a chance to learn something, change my view, or solidify my beliefs along the merry way.

Ruthmarie - Vaguely familiar.  This whole deal makes me wish I was hitting the bars at night like I used to;)

Jean- I'm thinking of cutting off cable and just keeping my Netflix Account.  Probably suit my soul better ...

Leslie - "Self-righteous separation from the political process is self-indulgent at best. Or should we all line up and shove our heads in the sand?"  No, we shouldn't.  Never.  And I do agree with your first sentence as well.  I have (at this point) a mature soul, naive heart, and incompetent brain ... which makes off the cuff ramblings an interesting proposition as I move forward.  I want to change the world without having to touch myself ... which frankly, ain't usually feasible.

 

 

Jan 11, 2011 04:11 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

The curse of the well-meaning soul: "I want to change the world without having to touch myself". Really, really good.

Jan 12, 2011 04:46 AM
Gary Miljour
American Financial Network, Inc. NMLS#207208 - Southern Pines, NC
Mortgage Originator NMLS Licensed in AZ and NC

Sardi- Arizona was finally getting out of the political spotlight and now this senseless act of violence has thrown our whole state into a media circus again.  My heart and prayers go out to all the victims of this tragedy down in Tucson.  

 

Folks, Arizona is not this crazy!  Just one crazy dude!

Jan 12, 2011 09:06 AM
Alexsandra Stewart
Remax equity group - Portland, OR
Broker - Portland Oregon Real Estate

Can't watch it, can't read it - mainstream news that is.  Listen to NPR occasionally, and watch OPB -- even that in small doses.  Write letters, and vote.  that's it.  Why DID you change your name??????

Jan 18, 2011 05:51 PM