I don't watch TV and haven't for years, except for when we travel and stay in hotels/motels. My motto is "if we paid for it let's use it". I immediately go for the old programs that I grew up watching, usually old westerns. But you can't escape the commercials. Also while running through the litany of channels in the search for the old programs I often come across the ludicrous propaganda platforms that are supposed to be news, whether local, national or international. I can't stand the lies so I move on quickly and leave the talking heads in chatter mode.

They are a grim reminder of the plastic society that we live in, if I may borrow a phrase from decades ago. The long sojourn from the noise heightens the awareness when one revisits it. It's like a slap in the face of reality. I imagine it as the abyss smiling back at me. A knowing, patient, come hither smile.

18 April 2024 - Headlines Mislead, Again

According to recent news articles (two on different stations with the same message, think this is orchestrated?) the number of anti-semitic incidents has been way up this past year. One headline says, 'Antisemitic incidents skyrocketing in Western Washington and across U.S'. Another says 'Anti-Defamation League reports record-high antisemitic incidents in Pacific Northwest'. The articles say most of the incidents were 'harassment or vandalism' but bomb threats are up too. The picture that the local Seattle news station, KOMO (see link above) shows with their article is of a synagogue which was vandalized with graffiti that says 'Shame on Israel' and 'Stop Killing' and 'You Know Better'.

Image of local vandalism from Komo article. Image by Lori Turck-Rogers.

"History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster."