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Maybe serious news junkies don`t give up their habit easily. After nearly a half century of interest in global affairs, I find myself stumbling around in search of an authentic news program. Perhaps it`s my age, but I have about zero tolerance for the crap now considered noteworthy: latest quotes attributed to Ann Coulter or Bill Bennett, whereabouts of Jessica Simpson or Tom Cruise, photos of George Bush at Dunkin` Donuts or on a bike ride with the Secret Service, Wolf Blitzer talking about his favorite day spa or Chris Matthews yakking about how so-and-so is a man`s man. After about fourteen seconds, I start planning how to rearrange my silverware drawer or something. I can`t even get into it, this blah, blah, blah on cable tv. Of course I can hit the OFF button and make a fast exit, which I frequently do. Truth is, I`m genuinely interested in current events and would give anything to find a news program with some real news.
I`m convinced that all the cable "news" stations share ownership in some holding pen, a corral where all their pundits are held. There`s probably a motorized conveyor belt that transports these talking heads from one show to another. Tony Snow to Meet the Press then on to Face the Nation. Ken Melhman to This Week then Meet the Press. I can almost guess who`ll be behind doors number one, two and three. Good grief! Isn`t there any fresh blood out there? How about a man-on-the-street interview with someone from Hoboken or Des Moines? Do I really want to see seven more shots of Condi`s expressionless face or Laura`s glazed-over eyes? Should I spend time staring at Tony Blankley`s matching hanky and tie because I`m so bored with his recycled talking points? All I want is some real news.
Are there any other places worthy of mention other than Hollywood and Washington? What`s really happening in the Gaza Strip? What`s the health care system like in Norway? Is everyone dead in Sudan? Whatever happened to all our steel workers? Did Jefferson Parish ever get rebuilt? What`s the school drop-out rate in Detroit? All I`ve heard lately is that the entire planet is filled with terrorists who want to kill us and Liberals want to cut and run in spite of it.
Oh, for an hour of Walter Cronkite or Huntley and Brinkley. Now that would be interesting. Instead, we`re subjected to Nora O`Donnell...loud and wild-eyed...regurgitating White House talking points. Rat-a-tat-tat. Bush is decisive. Regular folks like him. Democrats don`t have plans for anything. Wait....it`s Friday....Hardball Hotshots. Regular panel of newsmakers, they are. "You first, Tucker, then after six commercials we`ll hear from Rita."
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