2008 Woodie Awards
If we knew where Iraq was, we might look there for the father of Anna Nicole's baby
Joe Caporoso
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Op/Ed
- Page 1 of 1
The other night, the lead story on CNN was something about Anna Nicole Smith's death. I don't know what it was exactly because this story has dragged on for so long and has picked up so many new angles that it has become nearly impossible to keep track of it. The next story was about large amounts of chicken strips being recalled because they were not safe to eat. Following both of these stories was a crucial update on the war in Iraq, relating to Americans who accidentally arrested the son of an important Shiite cleric.
What constitutes news in this country anymore? America is the most powerful nation in the world, and we are made up of intelligent citizens. Anna Nicole Smith's death is a sad story, but it is not important national news. I cannot name anything commendable she ever did in her life or any important contribution she ever made to our society. She was a public figure, for mostly negative reasons, yet her death and burial place is being revered like a President's.
Britney Spears' insanity or the death of an alcoholic ex-playboy model should not be lead stories on our news networks. On that particular night, I would say that dangerous bacteria-infested chicken being sold in supermarkets was more important than what one of Anna Nicole Smith's bodyguards had to say. On a daily basis, Americans need information about more important events rather than news pertaining to the very public lives of celebrities.
Our nation is currently involved in a complex and controversial conflict in the Middle East. First and foremost, the details of this war and President Bush's expectation of it should be presented on our news networks. Beyond our continued struggles in Iraq, we have a new majority party in Congress, which is full of diverging views on how to fix the mess the Republicans have made. We also have a wide open Presidential field coming into focus, each with unique perspectives on how to guide our country. Nations like Iran are well into the process of making nuclear weapons, which further destabilizes the most unstable part of the world.
The point that I am making is this: we are a great nation, and yet we are a nation with many problems facing us. Our citizens need to be educated and more politically savvy.
Statistics revealing that six out of ten young adults in this country cannot locate Iraq on a map should scare us all. It is well publicized that many Americans lack basic knowledge to critically access the decisions our leaders have been making. It is time for people in this country to put down gossip publications such asThe Star and People Magazine and pick up real news sources such as The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Our news stations are only facilitating the problem by masking this garbage important information. We have one of the most crucial election in our history approaching us. American citizens' need to learn the issues and make informed decisions to start the process of fixing what could go down as eight of the worst years in Presidential history.
What constitutes news in this country anymore? America is the most powerful nation in the world, and we are made up of intelligent citizens. Anna Nicole Smith's death is a sad story, but it is not important national news. I cannot name anything commendable she ever did in her life or any important contribution she ever made to our society. She was a public figure, for mostly negative reasons, yet her death and burial place is being revered like a President's.
Britney Spears' insanity or the death of an alcoholic ex-playboy model should not be lead stories on our news networks. On that particular night, I would say that dangerous bacteria-infested chicken being sold in supermarkets was more important than what one of Anna Nicole Smith's bodyguards had to say. On a daily basis, Americans need information about more important events rather than news pertaining to the very public lives of celebrities.
Our nation is currently involved in a complex and controversial conflict in the Middle East. First and foremost, the details of this war and President Bush's expectation of it should be presented on our news networks. Beyond our continued struggles in Iraq, we have a new majority party in Congress, which is full of diverging views on how to fix the mess the Republicans have made. We also have a wide open Presidential field coming into focus, each with unique perspectives on how to guide our country. Nations like Iran are well into the process of making nuclear weapons, which further destabilizes the most unstable part of the world.
The point that I am making is this: we are a great nation, and yet we are a nation with many problems facing us. Our citizens need to be educated and more politically savvy.
Statistics revealing that six out of ten young adults in this country cannot locate Iraq on a map should scare us all. It is well publicized that many Americans lack basic knowledge to critically access the decisions our leaders have been making. It is time for people in this country to put down gossip publications such asThe Star and People Magazine and pick up real news sources such as The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal. Our news stations are only facilitating the problem by masking this garbage important information. We have one of the most crucial election in our history approaching us. American citizens' need to learn the issues and make informed decisions to start the process of fixing what could go down as eight of the worst years in Presidential history.