Every time I mention anything political nine times out of ten I will be shut down with, “that’s fake news” or “that’s just the democrats, republicans, independents, etc.” I just want to know what’s happening in the world and what my country has to do with it?
Recently a friend posted about the detention camps and how awful they are and how they need our help.
Help with what? How do you help? Who/what are you helping?
One news source reports that things are fine, the other reports that they’re awful. It’s a total denial and blame game.
So, seriously. How does the average Joe on the street stay informed?
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Be well.
MiMi
Magical Mystical Mimi 
I think I’m the most UNinformed ‘average Joe’ there is. I don’t understand politics and how they all play against each other, so I tend to ignore things I can do nothing about.
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Well, we can vote and write to our local reps. After that, I’m at a loss.
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I don’t know either, but you ask very good questions. After that whole high school kid/Native American standoff in DC, I realized that we are rarely getting the full story about a lot of events.
Despite your survey, I do think a lot of folks get their ‘news’ from social media because if you are on it all day, you can’t avoid it!
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I always think that we’ll never get the whole story no matter what. So many people are trying to cover their asses or just out and out lie. I mean is that the way they want us? Completely in the dark??? It’s frustrating.
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I read a great deal and watch some news programs. Most of them are bloviating blowhards blasting our brains with caca de toro.
I do have a thing for Melissa Francis however.#smokin’
What’s that old saying about believing half of what you see and none of what you read…?
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Okay. I had to look up Melissa Francis. Hilarious. She is a beautiful woman BUT more important than that she was on Little House On The Prairie! I still love that show and so do my grandkids. When I went back to Michigan, I thought it was funny that my daughter’s 2 techy, sportsy, cheering kids watch “Ma & Pa” before they go to bed and they love it.
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I am so with you on this one! I NEVER watch TV news – in fact we rarely have the TV on. Music rules in this house. Anything we do watch is recorded so we can skip the ads. The reason I don’t watch is because I suffere from that HSP affliction – was born like it and I actually get physcially ill from seeing distressing images that I can’t do anything about in the moment. I only read papers if there is something I want to write about and I need to get an angle. I refuse to play the manipulation game any more than I have to. The world is a better place than the news would have us believe.
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Trying to get a straight answer from anyone is pointless and frustrating. Everybody is saying something different. Who are we to believe?
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I read the newspaper (we are old-fashioned and get a print copy delivered, daily), plus we watch the National news every night. Canadian news, that is. They touch on all the important American and international stories as well. “Fake news” is more or less an American concept that we don’t really embrace in Canada. News reports are supposed to be impartial (but newspapers always pick sides, as far as editorial content is concerned) and state the facts, as they are. When in doubt about a story, (like the crap that sometimes passes for news on Facebook, for instance) I always search for 3 or 4 sources to corroborate the information. From all reports I’ve seen, so far, the conditions for children in those detention camps are deplorable and unsanitary. But then again, if someone is convinced this is “fake news”, there’s no dissuading them. The only way anyone will know for sure is by visiting in person. Last night’s story from CTV News:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/children-looking-after-children-at-u-s-migrant-detention-centre-attorney-1.4481065
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Oh. I didn’t know “fake news” wasn’t a thing everywhere. Interesting. I agree with checking 3/4 sources and I have to tell you this whole detention center idea is frightening. – Thanks for that link, Debbie. Now I’ll be looking at your news too! 🙂
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The media is dead. Everything is how you feel now. Those are folks I will not listen to.
Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.
Oscar Am ringer, “the Mark Twain of American Socialism.”
I offered my opponents a deal: “if they stop telling lies about me,
I will stop telling the truth about them”.
Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952..
A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.
Texas Guinan. 19th century American businessman
I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.
Charles de Gaulle, French general politician
Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
Doug Larson (English middle-distance runner who won gold medals at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, 1902-1981)
We hang petty thieves and appoint the bigger thieves to public office.
Aesop, Greek slave fable author
Have a fabulous day, Karen. Love and hugs. ♥
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Omgsh. This. Exactly!
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I think we lost the plot when news shows became about ratings and making money. CNN is all about the argument–put on two opposing viewpoints and let them argue. It makes for good TV, they say.
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I don’t care about good tv. I just want the truth and I don’t think we’ll ever hear it. I also think you’re right about the ratings and money. People are greedy and they’ll sacrifice their integrity for a couple of bucks. It’s disgusting.
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It’s come to a point where i just want to know who did what, not someone’s opinion about it, and i can’t seem to find that information anywhere. That’s what used to be called news.
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Yessssssssssss!!! Exactly that!
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I try to be inform but I have to say it little over whelming that you get hit with so much news. I get tired of the polarization from all sides.
I took the entire month of June off facebook and I feel better mentally
Coffee is on
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I feel the same Dora and doesn’t it feel wonderful to unplug??? I love those times. I get so much done and lots of reading caught up. 🙂
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Hi MiMi, you make a good point. I’ve come to realize finding information/news in a world that’s so mixed up comes down to researching various sources, mainstream and even more of whats not mainstream and everything in between, then piecing it all together based on what you as an individual sense to be true. A news detective of sorts.
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I agree, Esa. Thanks for stopping by!
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