And this is what passes for news these days?

I finally saw Good Night, and Good Luck today, and was greatly inspired by Edward Murrow's closing lines:


To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box. Good night, and good luck.


And then, just now, I checked out CNN's web site and see that the main headline deals with what an alleged murderer ate on the plane:



There are days when I think Neil Postman was right.

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