In an attempt to slow this tumultuous tumbling of words in my head, I decided to put these thoughts to paper (in a manner of speaking.) Hopefully this will abate the flitting of my mind. Indeed, I am still in dismay, disappointment and yes, distress. The ugly nature of our communication within our country is rampant – still vitriolic and much of it untrue. One particular cable channel has labeled anything other than itself as MSM – “mainstream media” - implying, if I’m not mistaken, that the MSM produce fake news. Humph! In the broadcasting sector, MSM has been in business from 74 to 91 years. The youngest is ABC, the oldest is NBC. The particular station, to which I earlier referred, has only been in business 20 years. During my lifetime, I have watched news from all the major networks – I have always been impressed with their manner of speaking - I seldom heard any slanderous words. Yes, the media is often like a dog with a bone, but I can't recall newscasters being disrespectful or blatantly resort to name calling. (Please note, I am thinking only of the news programs.) And, yes, there have been mistakes in reporting. Recently, though, I watched a particular segment on this newer network, the anchor referred to CNN (the first cable news channel founded in 1980) as “Clinton News Network” and called an anchor on MSNBC a “crackpot.” Mild, but honestly, have you heard those on the MSM refer to folks in such a manner?
Unfortunately, this type of discourse has become common. There is a radio host out of Austin, who is quite adamant about his beliefs, and who regularly uses foul language, innuendos and general untruths. How is it we have resorted to this type of broadcasting? Where are the rules of broadcasting? Where is our common decency? Is it couched under the 1st Amendment? Even if you believe a particular person is wrong, why do you have to describe that someone, or an incident, in a foul manner? Why does one encourage harm on another? Why do people, like the person who threatened to shoot Hillary Clinton, get away with such threats? Where is our common decency? What ever happened to the rules we learned in Kindergarten? Or, did anyone else learn those rules? What we say on social media and in speeches impacts many. It is despicable for anyone of any persuasion or belief to threaten, especially threaten bodily harm, it is just wrong. Would your grandmother like to hear you say what you say, see what you do?
With the development of the Internet, the Worldwide Web, we have introduced a culture in which participants think they can get away with anything and everything. SAD! Social media is both fun and scary….people don’t seem to care enough to think about what they write, what they post. They don’t fact check!!!!! I was taught to think before I spoke (granted, I don’t always do that, but I do really try to think before I write.) Not being careful about what one posts can be harmful, demeaning and not necessary. One can get the point across without demeaning the other. We have become a nation of people jumping to conclusions, and are now self- appointed judges and juries, trials unnecessary. Where’s the justice in this? Unfortunately, we do not have a leader who thinks before he tweets, thus, he does not seem to consider the impact of his words which are often demeaning and accusatory. There is too much name calling and untruths being bandied about. It’s time to pull back, to consider the feelings of those around us and be accurate in what we say and post. We need to bring our country back to a time where we can actually feel we are not alone on this planet sinking in a quagmire of indecency.
Unfortunately, this type of discourse has become common. There is a radio host out of Austin, who is quite adamant about his beliefs, and who regularly uses foul language, innuendos and general untruths. How is it we have resorted to this type of broadcasting? Where are the rules of broadcasting? Where is our common decency? Is it couched under the 1st Amendment? Even if you believe a particular person is wrong, why do you have to describe that someone, or an incident, in a foul manner? Why does one encourage harm on another? Why do people, like the person who threatened to shoot Hillary Clinton, get away with such threats? Where is our common decency? What ever happened to the rules we learned in Kindergarten? Or, did anyone else learn those rules? What we say on social media and in speeches impacts many. It is despicable for anyone of any persuasion or belief to threaten, especially threaten bodily harm, it is just wrong. Would your grandmother like to hear you say what you say, see what you do?
With the development of the Internet, the Worldwide Web, we have introduced a culture in which participants think they can get away with anything and everything. SAD! Social media is both fun and scary….people don’t seem to care enough to think about what they write, what they post. They don’t fact check!!!!! I was taught to think before I spoke (granted, I don’t always do that, but I do really try to think before I write.) Not being careful about what one posts can be harmful, demeaning and not necessary. One can get the point across without demeaning the other. We have become a nation of people jumping to conclusions, and are now self- appointed judges and juries, trials unnecessary. Where’s the justice in this? Unfortunately, we do not have a leader who thinks before he tweets, thus, he does not seem to consider the impact of his words which are often demeaning and accusatory. There is too much name calling and untruths being bandied about. It’s time to pull back, to consider the feelings of those around us and be accurate in what we say and post. We need to bring our country back to a time where we can actually feel we are not alone on this planet sinking in a quagmire of indecency.
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