All We've Got Is Earthquakes

Recently, the news has been all about the weather. What happened to Libya, the budget, jobs and all the other issues we were focused on a few weeks ago? For about a week all news other than Irene was discontinued on CNN and MSNBC, the two stations I watch frequently. Not that hurricane information isn't important, but we have hurricanes every year, and many of them. Yes, this was supposed to be a big one, but enough is enough. I find with everything nowadays, the media saturates the air waves with too much. Remember when Michael Jackson died? All we heard and saw for two straight weeks was Michael Jackson memorials, stories about his family, and speculation on exactly what happened. Is this what news stations should be reporting?

I don't think that earthquake in Japan garnered as much attention as Irene, yet thousands of people were killed, and entire towns were swept away. There is no comparison between the two events, yet Irene was nonstop news for days. In the end, although the storm was terribly destructive, it was far from what was predicted.

Good journalism is so important in this 21st century world of instant news, bloggers who interpret the news and radio and tv personalities that make it up. How do we, as listeners, know what to believe? We all look to the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and a few other sources, for the real facts. But, are we getting the full story even from them? Reading on line bloggers is usually just getting someone else's opinion. It may or may not be true. I remember something George W. Bush said early in his presidency. I'm paraphrasing, but is was something like this: " If you say something to the people often enough, they will believe it." Scary.

Hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, and earthquakes are a part of life. We have them all the time, all over the world, and they certainly are a part of news. But after the story's been told, why can't we get on with important domestic and international issues? We sure have enough of them. I'm glad I live where I do and only have earthquakes to deal with. On second thought, I now see tsunami warnings posted near the beach. Something else for us to worry about.