A Comment On Our Times by Carolyn Simmons Anderson
July 10, 2010 in Opinions
I used to watch FOX News periodically, just to make sure I was getting both sides of the story, and because some family members watch it, and I try always to state facts accurately. I will even research things on Snopes if I’m not sure about something. I had to stop watching it because Shep Smith became the black sheep of the network, not the norm, and the idiot “anchors” they use now are too ridiculous to even bother with. I also can’t bear to hear the vitriol O’Reilly puts out and Beck makes my head hurt with his ridiculous notions. They at least used to pretend to be “fair and balanced” but they’ve descended into such a one-sided agenda that it’s not worth even bothering anymore.
The major news media is accused of being biased by the guys who want you to watch and listen to them instead, and the only ones on those stations who are truly biased aren’t pretending not to be. They let you know they’re commentators, not news anchors. I doubt anyone could accuse Bob Schieffer of being biased in favor of anything but common decency and fairness. When common-sense Republicans like Bob Scarborough go against another Republican, it’s because he’s embarrassed by that candidate. He hasn’t changed his political affiliation. He’s just an old-fashioned conservative who doesn’t like the new brand of hateful people who abuse the word “conservative” and give the party a bad name.
I don’t agree with conservatives on most things besides fiscal moderation, but I’ve never hated or feared them in the past. This new breed is something altogether different, and they’re being frightened into submission by people whose only agenda is making money and stoking their own ego. I never hear a kind word from Limbaugh or O’Reilly, and I truly think, seriously, as a retired psych nurse, that Beck has mental problems. I listen to Limbaugh on the radio when I’m in the car, out of curiosity, and I used to enjoy yelling at him. Now, his hate-filled screams are literally so full of lies that I just turn off the radio. I never hear the basic news anchors, or even the “lefty” commentators, for that matter, truly “trash” anyone. But I hear it a lot from the other side, and a lot of it actually frightens me.
The hateful noise has been coming out of them for a long time, but the intensity has increased to such a level, and the words have become so inciteful, that I fear for the safety of our president and other elected officials, and I wonder how some of them can call themselves Christians. I’m an aetheist and I make no apology for that, but there are people I love who are Christians, true Christians, and they’re horrified by what they hear and see being said and done in “Christ’s name.” Where is the Christ of love and compassion I learned about in Sunday school and at church camp, and whose teachings I still try to follow? What happened to the commandment that instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves?
How did we become so divided? I’ll tell you how: Rupert Murdoch’s political agenda was bankrolled by his millions, and researched by experts, so they would know what would entertain and rouse people and get viewers and listeners, and gradually heightened and heightened to the point that people believe these they enjoy watching to the point that 55% of people in this country believe our president is a socialist, despite all the evidence to the contrary and the absolute silliness of the claim. That allows the big energy companies to convince people that climate change is a political agenda instead of a physical phenomenon. Please notice that I didn’t use the word “scientific” in that last sentence, because, somehow, “science” has become a dirty word. As a result, China has more scientists than we do, most of whom were educated here, and their infrastructure is more modern than ours, and their economy is doing better than ours, and we’re in debt to them as a country to an extent that is frightening. But, hey, who cares? By the time our planet is uninhabitable by anything but roaches, I’ll be long dead and buried. Actually, I wish I didn’t care.
Carolyn Simmons Anderson said on July 11, 2010
I got a save wildlife tag years ago, and even though money’s tight, I’m hanging on to it. If I can think of a good enough name to put on it by this year’s birthday, I may even spring for the extra cost.
I consider myself well-warned about you and chainsaw.
Peachy said on July 11, 2010
Well now, let’s see…I think C COBRA would work, wouldn’t it? But you’re probably right about the GA PCH and CA GIRL. Just got my Ga tags and feeling the initial blush of a newbie all excited about supporting her new community, I wanted to get a Save Georgia tag…$90. I decided Georgia could save itself just fine without any help from me.
Peachy said on July 11, 2010
Oh Lord…don’t put a chainsaw anywhere near me…protect the world.
Truda Stevens said on July 10, 2010
I like the chainsaw comment! I am impressed.
Carolyn Simmons Anderson said on July 11, 2010
I have to admit that I only learned how to use it this past winter, but I loved it! I had tried using an ax, but it was just too heavy, and the grubbing hoe that I called my “hoe-ax” worked, but it really worked on my shoulders too. Buddy finally relented and taught me how to use the chainsaw, and finally became confident enough that I wouldn’t cut off something attached to me that he left me alone with it. He still had to do the bigger trees, and it’s a small electric chainsaw, but I felt strong and young when I used it. I can hardly wait for cold weather again so I can get my hands back on it.
Linda Guglielmo Norby said on July 10, 2010
Big Smile
Carolyn Simmons Anderson said on July 10, 2010
You’ve given me the courage to say a lot of things I usually keep to myself, as well as a forum. I’ve never been able to be anything but me, and I’ve never had enough sense to be afraid of anything, so I’ve always found it safer to stay in my own back yard and play with my dog and my chainsaw. Now I have a bigger back yard to play in, thanks to facebook and you.
Linda Guglielmo Norby said on July 10, 2010
Carolyn, you’re pulling me in to your thoughts and heart, and making me realize that what I feel is sadness too. Years ago, I decided to “forgive” my mother for what I perceived to be slights during my growing up years…what really happened though was an epiphany into how much harm one can do to oneself by harboring hateful feelings. So, like you, I do want to be as kind to those around me as I can, while not giving up the right to be me, and not being afraid to say it.
Mike Herring said on July 10, 2010
It’s known as stream of consciousness. Let it all out, girl!
Carolyn Simmons Anderson said on July 10, 2010
I just read my own words, and I’m sitting here in tears. I’m normally very effective at controlling my emotional reaction to what I see and hear going on in the world. When I’m posting or pontificating I just let the words have their way, more attentive to my spelling, syntax and grammar than to what I’m thinking and typing. Reading my own words made me feel what I usually can keep at bay, and it almost breaks my heart. I feel no anger at this moment, just a deep, deep sadness. I finally got old enough to realize that I had no magic wand to wave and make the pain of the world go away, and I thought that I had gotten old enough to accept that fact. I read my own words and I have to admit that I’m still looking for it. Unfortunately, the magic wand seems to be money, which I have little of. I gave up on prayer a long time ago, and my best wishes do little and sound empty. I’ll have to settle for being good to those around me, and trying to brighten strangers’ days with a smile. Maybe they’ll pass it on, and I will have done some good, however small it is.
Peachy said on July 10, 2010
This comment by Carolyn just blows my mind…I think it represents a complete, honest, and, even sad, assessment of what’s happening to our country.
Carolyn, thank you for allowing me to post this on my blog.
Linda
Carolyn Simmons Anderson said on July 11, 2010
I love this Peachy pic! And the Peachy sobriquet as well. When I lived in California I wanted to put “GA PCH” on my license plate, but I never got around to it. Now I’m thinking about coming up with one for here. Maybe “CA GIRL”? Or “C COBRA”? We only have one car, though, and Buddy would look pretty silly driving a car with that on the rear end. I’ll have something fun to think about to put myself to sleep with tonight.