Being an Ostrich

It may be completely wrong, but I just can't bring myself to watch the news these days. I really have no idea what is going on in the world because it is just too awful to know. Just this evening a pre-news segment came on announcing a shooting spree at a daycare in the Seattle (I think). I turned white. Theovis and I looked at one another and decided that we didn't need any more information. Is it callous to not want to know? Perhaps, but it is the only way I think I can out of bed every morning.

It has been said before, but the glorification that violence gets in the media must be a contributing factor in these events. I don't for a second believe that it is causing an increase in human violence, because we have a long, long history of committing mind-numbing atrocities. What I do believe, is that it gives these freaks a vechicle to get their freaky messages heard. What is the point of doing something so heinous, if every one in the nation (and Canada 'cuz we get all the same news) isn't going to hear about it? Even the risk of their fame being posthumous is better than nothing for the nutbars involved in Colorado, Alberta and this latest incident in Washington.

I also really object to the lengthy coverage of refugees fleeing from their war torn areas. I think it is important that we know that this is going on, but the extensive shots of these pathetic souls - especially elderly and children - is really manipulative. I could send all the money I don't have in the world, but it would be a drop in the bucket. It just makes me feel heart-broken, helpless and angry.

Then there was the _____ (I can't think of a printable word that adequately describes my anger towards this man) in Victoria, whose road rage caused him to jump out of his car with a club and beat the hell out of the small dog in the back of the pick up that cut him off. What kind of human being does this? Someone cuts you off. You are going to be 30 seconds later than you would have been and you grab a club and take it out on an helpless animal? This man should be taken out of the gene pool (the way that I am shaking while I type this is a primary reason for my news aversion).

Therse is also the so-called "ancestral rights" whale hunt... The terminally ill children... The teenagers killed in the prime of their lives by drunk drivers, skiing accidents, cliff diving accidents... The single Moms battling cancer and raising their kids... How many times can my heart break and possibly remain whole?

Perhaps it is because I am a part of the slacker generation that I react this way. I figure I KNOW the world is completely FUBAR (f*cked up beyond all recognition) and I just have to deal. Unfortunately the only way it seems I can deal is to stick my head far, far into the sand. All I can do is live my own life the best I can. I don't deliberately hurt other people (or animals, for f*ck's sake) and I look out for my friends and loved ones. Callous? Maybe... but I have to be able to get through the week.