This column is dedicated to Annie. It is not a repeat of an earlier column titled “The Media Menagerie” The following is the result of watching, pondering, and a bit of comparison. However, it is a product of deductions. I do think if everyone also ponders this a while, we will have 100% consensus on the validity of its premise.

There are always several issues available for discussion as to policy on the political front; the last two weeks are no different. No one can ever expect to reach full agreement on such areas. That's not only inevitable in a democratic form of government, it's required if things are to improve and advance.  

The purpose of my column this year, however, is to find the areas of agreement to enable us here Fab 40 to have cohesive and honest discussion. THAT is what is missing in the world of media that we’ve come to see as normal. Personally, I believe this level of 'reporting the news' causes the great journalists of times past to "roll over in their graves!"

Oh, there were arguments and serious differences present then, too. Since the gathering of the founding fathers even rather heated debate is common and even welcome. But, until the last decade or so, total lack of civility and slanderous charges were unheard of by 'mainstream' intellectual journalists. They all 'fought' diligently for their ideals or a principle strongly held. But, if one or another elected official or administration swerved way out of line, voters, who wanted to be, were given 'both' sides of a story. Possibly then, an intelligent decision could be made and the voters voted based on factual issues regardless what side of the aisle they happened to stand on. The people tended to stand together and although the injustices often took violent or long involved courses of legislation, ultimately the issues were addressed and improved. As long as we are dealing with people, things will never be perfect. We don't even know what ‘perfect’ is anymore. Even the churches are at odds as to just what is "God's" will, what’s required and what’s evil.

In today's world, money rules everything. If one wishes to analyze all the way back to the roots of an issue, any issue, one need only follow the money. Whether the topic is domestic, foreign, secular or religious, just follow the money. Problem with that is, one has to know where to look and the news media makes sure we don't, both sides of it, UNLESS it serves their purpose. Even the politicians, both sides, will invent a 'breaking news' story simply to divert the attention away from what they don't WANT you to know. What's sad is, being a species driven by personal perception or 'family traditions', and I include myself in this premise, we tune into the station or newspaper that best feeds what WE already believe in. Understandable enough.  

The downside is, and here's where I started my 'research', we don't even allow ourselves to look at the other side of the coin and what it may show. We put our defenses up and follow like sheep to the herder, what we want to hear! It's a process of self-justification for often errant thoughts and often done subconsciously. The news media today has 24/7 time slots to fill. Most of the pundits who are telling you what means what aren't even true journalists. They are 'hype' salesmen. Their own jobs are dependent on ratings.  

“Okay,” you're saying about now, “we all know that already. So what brilliant deduction have you come up with?”  

After watching a week of various channels for a true comparison, I noticed that I went to the channels I so detest with a mental block already in place. I was prepared subconsciously to not believe a word I heard. Doing exactly just what I preach against. I then fully grasped the power of pre-conceived ideas. I went to the channels more inclined to reinforce my already formed beliefs, and found that when really noticing, they are doing exactly the same kind of 'hype' salesmanship as the other side is doing. I'd honestly never really grasped the full meaning of this before. It means we never really “know” the truth, the ‘uncolored’ truth! It’s amazing how something taken out of context can be twisted to mean exactly the opposite of what was originally said or being addressed. Both sides!

I went to the various Sunday morning talk shows on these same cable stations and even some of the major networks. Even when both sides were represented on a panel, I noticed just how much the commentator or host guided the discussion. Not just to keep civility intact but to follow certain courses. The partisanship was evident here, as well. It was carried off with a bit more subtlety and more decorum, but still there.

I was then attending a talk at a seminar on Literature and Philosophy and how it subliminally hypnotizes the masses, and has done so over eons and generations! The summation being . . . we need to ask ourselves the practical affectation of a single idea, policy or solution as it relates to us personally OR the work of the Universe in general? Here's where the pondering food really came in. Does 'it' really matter a damn to my personal station in life, the workings of the nation, or the world, or the entire Cosmos?  

If a politician gets a mistress, has an off-color sexual orientation, goes to a synagogue over a chapel, why do we even have to know these private issues? Does it change their governing capabilities? Does it alter their intellect in dealing with a problem? On the other hand, if they got caught NOT paying their taxes like everyone else has to do, shouldn't EVERYONE be concerned regardless of the offender’s political affiliation? At that point, does it matter a damn if they are a liberal or conservative?  

But, do I really give a damn whether the governor of South Carolina spent his "hike on the Appalachian Trail?" Does Tiger Woods' sex life affect my own? Does the planet stop spinning? I’d have to say the governor’s philandering is the business of the voters of South Carolina, and the only person who should worry about Tiger is Tiger’s family. The women involved are responsible for their own darn behaviour! Tiger was a married man and they knew it.
After three weeks of almost continual media hype, you'd think this was earth shaking when it's really rather common human behavior from the ghetto to the Whitehouse. Does being elected to public office include sainthood? If that were the case, we'd surely be back in the caves. There simply are no human saints and it's na?ve to expect there would be.

I’m more inclined to ask does anyone care that in the same time frame we're dropping bombs on civilians with drones? Or is that okay, because it's not 'me' dropping them and America's safety is worth killing every being on the orb? In that case, does “Thou shall not kill” go down the tubes? Is it fair to be against social entitlements while you support rejection of planned parenthood? Who is going to feed the babies? Can you be all for the right to life, but be against feeding, housing and educating the needy babies?

We aren't going to change the media. Nor, are we going to change the dollar driven economy. But we, and only we, can change the openness of our minds.  Decide what is 'breaking news' and what are hype-driven ratings chases, or paid for air time by candidates who will spend millions to convince you how evil the other guy is while promising their own metamorphosis toward sainthood. Ask yourself that when you wonder why your insurance rates just jumped 39%. Those lobbyists don't come cheap.  

If you want fair, unbiased, relevant and practical news watch PBS News Hour which, as you all know, is publicly funded based on quality of programming. I say that as I turn the channel to 3 after hearing the lead-in headline on cable news . . . "Breaking news! More shocking details on the Edwards affair." Frankly, I don't give a damn. I want to know how the jobs bill is progressing, or not progressing. And, I want honest and fair details of who or what are obstructing or pushing it!        

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE ? A Novel
AMBER RETURNS TO MAINE
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

**Susan Haley is the published author of three books, several articles and essays. She is an award-winning poet, contract copy editor and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to "The Florida Writer" the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel "Rainy Day People" was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters and local papers.

Happy February and a hug to all you fellow Aquarians out there! It is the month of valentines, ground hogs looking for spring and new growth. It is the month set aside for 'love' to permeate the air, is it not? Is it me? Am I missing these breezy love essences, or even a basic respect in the air?

Our history, as noted before, has always been a volatile one. It's the American way, to speak out and display dissent at abuses of errant government and policy. This is nothing new to these precarious times. It's the basic foundation of living in a free nation of "we the people". I have no problem with dissent.  

Although, not always of the age to pay close attention to political movements, I've lived through campaigns since the days of FDR. Like many of you, came into 'age' during the Sixties, the onset of the 'new age' a pretty volatile decade in itself! In recent years, I've taken a deep interest in biographies and American History. In the past, right or wrong, most political dissent was rooted in a specific policy. I've increasingly noticed that the chaos we now find ourselves in has nothing to do with the American citizenry. We are the victims of political wars between political parties. The world of a politician is no longer based on public service or leading the nation to heights of prosperity and peace for ALL the people.

The tenets of the constitution guaranteeing specific freedoms and rights has been turned into a sword in the hands of the opposition. Which opposition? The other side of the congressional aisle. It makes absolutely no difference whether one is a republican, a democrat, a conservative or a liberal. It's only about re-election at any cost or deed.  

The day after the election a year ago last November, we immediately were thrust into the wars of 2010. Every vote, every tactic, every policy and every motion put forth is based on maintaining office. No rules or premise, no deed or characteristic is sacred. Just win that seat! The news media, in its continual ratings war, feeds off all rhetoric, the sleazier the better. Policies previously supported are suddenly opposed and vice-versa.  

Feed the people what you want them to hear or think, turn it into as dirty and slanderous a bait as you possibly can. If a lie serves you, tell it. If a misquote makes you look good, say it. It goes on and on, day in day out. The people are so overwhelmed with the negative energy, the struggles under their own roofs, the battle lines are drawn and the wars begin and it's all based on misinformation, the continual blame game, and the personal passions or prejudices of the electorate in your district being tweaked in just the right way! It's almost like living during the Civil War without the uniform and the blood-soaked battlefields. At the rate we are going, that will be next.

Yet, when a major disaster slams into the scene like the recent horror in Haiti, the true generous nature of the American spirit comes into the light. The innate decency of folks all over the globe is displayed as aid and volunteers begin to pour in. And the spirit of the Haitian people continues to touch even the hardest heart. These are the times when I see there is always hope.

As the campaign signs again begin to sprout in your town for the upcoming primary season, I would ask everyone reading this to begin with taking a real interest in your local and state elections. As with prosperity, government that works starts at the bottom. If it trickles down, it simply doesn't work.  

We the people, now more than ever, have to shun politics as usual. We have to close our ears to negative and slanderous media and campaign ads and look for candidates that run based simply on their own credence and not the tearing down of their opponent. We need to fact check claims and statements. We have to set aside, especially, misplaced party loyalty as, in fact, even the parties can't settle on a policy or a direction. It's everyone for themselves, I think. In-party fighting is unprecedented. Due to that fact, even the worry of fragmented control or winning a majority in congress is not an issue. We've had several terms now of one or the other party having the majority. Did it do 'we the people' any good? No.

Consider the fact that a fragmented congress of both republicans and democrats blended with independents would FORCE debate and individual thought on issues. To win a majority vote, rather than lumping together to block or support, each member would have to gain and gather support based on content. NO legislative bill should require more than two or three hundred pages. NO bill. It's either good or bad and to determine that, it should be concise and understandable.

If we need a revolution of sorts to take back our country, let us forget the goals of individual politicians and parties and stand together as a people!
Your comments are most welcome. Like you, there are days I don't know which way to turn. I do know that if America is ever to recover we must rediscover the power of 'critical thinking' and not let others think for us.    

Susan Haley, Author
RAINY DAY PEOPLE ? A Novel
AMBER RETURNS TO MAINE
FIBERS IN THE WEB  

     **Susan Haley is the published author of three books, several articles and essays. She is an award-winning poet, contract copy editor and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She also contributes a column to "The Florida Writer" the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, of which she is Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel "Rainy Day People" was awarded runner-up Finalist in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters and local papers.