Pales in Comparison
OK, as Katrina's news continues to dominate--and by the way, I'm still not seeing anything concerning Alabama and Mississippi in all this, even though I understand why--there's all these issues that crop up in regards to the effect the hurricane has had on things like the environment, the gas prices, and businesses.
Such as the NFL. And once again, the media continues to say things they don't have to when they discuss these issues. I have heard a number of comments on the effect this has on the New Orleans Saints, how they now will be playing at least 9 away games and they still haven't figured out where to put them for home games. Almost every media guy has to preface these comments with, "First off, guys, this pales in comparison to the events of Hurricane Katrina and what people are going through down there."
Really? Are you certain? Excuse me if I'm wrong, but I thought that was understood. Secondly, people watching certain programs for information about the Saints realize this--the issue is what happens to the Saints, and people want to know. Every time I hear these prefaces, it sounds completely fake and insincere, as if God forbid some analyst or pundit sound like an ass talking about what is, in essence, not all that important.
Radio callers are no different. Almost every time some disaster happens, there's always some (yes) asshole who calls in and says, "How can you be talking about sports at a time like this when there's people sick, hungry, and dying?" When 9/11 happened, I remember someone calling and saying this, and the host Kevin Wheeler said, "Yeah, I understand what you're saying, but honestly, you can say that about any time of the year." Damn right.
Humans have that capability of moving on, that defensive reflex that says, "Should the opportunity arrise that I can think about something else and do something else other than worry then I will." This is why people unwind and drink beers and watch movies or play games. Just because there's a real issue out there, an honest question, that in the scope of things isn't essential, doesn't mean that people don't care about what is.
posted by Chris @ 9/08/2005 11:42:00 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Amen. Glad someone finally said it. Every time some sports reporter (whose job, by the way, is to talk about sports, not to speak for the mourning nation's masses) says "It's hard to talk about sports at a time like this" I want to punch my radio dial.
I�m not that into sports, but I do understand what you�re saying. People should apply this advice in every day life as well. I was on a message board yesterday asking questions about this very big issue I had (it�s a religious thing having to do with my boyfriend�s religion and not mine so I was asking a message board of that religion) and I had someone actually say to me, �Oh get over it and cheer up already. At least you�re not in the superdome.�
That person is right. They really do need to get over it. Everything is relative and there are tragedies (unfortunately) happening every day. Life doesn�t stop for it even if it is a horrible thing.
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