Slowing Down The News Cycle
It seems natural to slow down on our local news cycle this time of year. Now, and further on in March when the mud season’s supposed to hit, everyone seems to hunker down, both in terms of activity and, it seems, in terms of mental and moral acuity. Just look at some of the stories being bandied about these days as news…
There’s a predicted conservative reaction to the new blockbuster Hollywood hit, Avatar, that after failing to ignite a boycott of the film now equates its message to being as if its makers were urging us to forgo modernity and side with Native Americans and indigenous folk galaxy-wide against colonists. As if empathy itself were a problem. When really, the cables news cycle may actually be more to blame.
New talk in Albany is for scuttling a host of agencies, from those overseeing domestic violence problems to our much-heralded state arts council, to balance our budget and shift the priorities by which we spend money. Included in that are signs of a strengthening push to sell off Belleayre and other state-owned ski areas.
On a county level, Republicans in power after two sessions out are talking about strengthening their branch of government over the new county executive, despite savings and other benefits gained over the past year since Mike Hein’s filled the latter position. All on the verge, mind you, of a mandated shrinking of the legislature’s size.
Locally, in our and other towns, major infrastructure projects are being scuttled and budgets balanced on higher deductible insurance plans that are betting folks don’t get sick much this year. Forget any new strains of flu… or the idea of spreading wealth around to keep our local businesses afloat.
It seems everyone’s thinking that money is as substantial, in the big picture, as earth. And not a man-made medium of exchange whose basis can be shifted to fit changing, or changed, realities.
We suggest everyone breathe deeply this month, and in March – allowing themselves a full February to keep up with business – and reassess where we all really are. Is the world as bad as some say, or as rosy as our kids inevitably see? Probably in-between, which leaves us plenty of room to live it, and love it. Especially at this time of year where most of our news is just about people chattering, what we wish and/or fear, or the weather.
See you next month… and have a great Martin Luther King weekend, remembering his great messages of hope and the endearing power of mankind’s will to be ever better, and not sunk by our unfortunate prejudices.
PS