Up and at 'em
by M. Stewart
Things sure have changed. When breaking news happens, learn about it first on Facebook. The way the cops want the story told will appear in tomorrow’s newspaper. The suicide death at the Calcutta Wendy’s restaurant is a case in point. Whether you consider such things as good or bad is irrelevant. News travels fast these days, very fast.
On the national scene, disgraced former presidential candidate Herman Cain has “enthusiastically” endorsed Newt Gingrich. After a brief vacation from the cameras, gool ol’ Sarah Palin also has come out swingin’ fer Newt. That ought to help, yah?
Well, not so far. Polls continue to show Gingrich significantly behind Mitt Romney in Florida, but there is one day left before the vote, and we’ve seen that anything can happen. While the various media portray Romney as the juggernaut candidate, they do so without much evidence. On the contrary, I don’t see a lot of genuine enthusiasm for Romney at all; even his supporters seem compromised.
It’s entirely possible the race could be decided on the convention floor this summer. If things keep going the way are, Gingrich and Romney will have completely ruined each other by then. In order to survive, Gingrich will have to embrace the Tea Party and the far right, which means to mouth whatever platitudes they favor.
While it’s hardly anything new, politicians pandering to constituent groups is a degrading process. Truth and honesty are the first casualties as candidates readily mouth ideas put into their scripts by local political organizations. Candidates are comfortable distributing bold-faced lies, which are readily accepted by voters who know nothing of the truth themselves. Ignorance is a requirement for the democratic process, and it’s on full display during presidential election campaigns.
Did anybody bother watching the NFL’s Pro Bowl game yesterday? Apparently the AFC won by a score of 59-41 in the meaningless exhibition. To attract at least some viewers, the NFL has taken to playing the Pro Bowl game on the dead Sunday before the Super Bowl, which makes more sense than waiting until football season is over. Still, I wonder how long the game will go on. At some point, I think the Pro Bowl will end up being a video game of some kind rather than the flag football game it is now.
Next weekend’s Super Bowl should be the opposite of the Pro Bowl, and it’s a great matchup. I’m taking the New York Giants by three points.
posted by M. | 7:32 AM
4 Comments:
Newt Gingrich is already and has been in tight with Focus on the Family Founder James Dobson.
The Steelers aren't playin, so I will be spending the time during the game doing what I do best........ Nursing homework!!!!! Have a good time watching it, and enjoy the party!
Buckeye, what's your point about Newt and Focus on the Family and what's wrong with that relationship? I don't see your point. Is Focus on the Family a "bad" org in a liberals eyes? Does that org bring too much darkness to light for you?
The "stories" on Facebook are often based on innnuendo and gossip or from those with vested interests in what is happening, not from objective news reporters. Shame on you - a former newsman - for thinking such a rumor mill can take the place of actual reporting. Some of what was said on FB about that tragedy was not exactly factual.
Not to mention, reporters are usually not given a victim's name to print until all next of kin are notified. FB users blast names out there, regardless of the feelings of family and friends who might not yet have been notified.
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