Each week we gather at tables, on sofas, or lean back in bed and take note of headlines in the news. Whether dramatic or funny, people gather in the information and decide from that point how much they’re willing to invest in the facts and speculation they’ve just read.
This past week has—on Yahoo! News alone—kept many balls in the air while juggling subjects across the spectrum. The amazement comes from trying to assimilate all the information and decide how any/all/some of it affects the individual.
- Just today a gripping article was posted on Yahoo! News– http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110625/us_ac/8696821_the_american_police_state_is_the_new_normal/ regarding our country’s new police state norm. In the article are examples of how police, under the guise of new, stiffer mandates by authorities and broader powers of police activity, have come to represent a growing new category of police bullies.
In a country where schools, parents, etc. are trying desperately to decrease the incidents of bullying among children, recognizing that our safety officers are actively displaying the behavior with impunity brings with it thoughts of 1984 to the max.
- Minot, ND is underwater from the flooding of the Souris River. The damage estimates have yet to be firmed up for the town’s residents. This is another example of this year’s crazy weather’s aftermath. This is especially true when taken in light of the expanding drought throughout the south. That drought situation was in evidence throughout the Southwest last winter, as well.
- Venezuelan President Chavez is reported to be in critical condition in a Cuban hospital after emergency surgery. The situation, according to the report, has made an already shaky situation worse as the Venezuelan government deals with an absentee president who may or may not have cancer.
- A bus-sized asteroid is slated to make a near-miss pass of the Earth on Monday. The estimate is that it won’t come as close as the much bigger one that whizzed by us in February. If this one dips a bit closer than expected, it would burn up on entry and create no problems for us. So say the scientists tracking it.
- On a lighter note, spinner sharks are now jumping over surfers in Florida. The event was billed as a new “spin” on “Jumping the Shark” of Fonz fame.
- Clean-up workers dealing with the Amtrak crash site in Nevada fear they will find more bodies in the wreckage of the burned out cars. The National Safety Investigation Team has not yet given their report on the incident other than to say that the semi driver slammed on his brakes before doing a head-on into the fourth car of the train at the crossing. None have stated why they thought he missed seeing both the working signal lights and gates.
- The organized hackers of LulzSec are disbanding permanently, according to reports. They released a statement that said little of g
2 Comments on Headliners—A Matter of News, last added: 6/26/2011Display Comments Add a Comment
Clauds, I have a daughter who won’t watch the news anymore. She finds it too disturbing. Can’t say I blame her, though I feel the need to at least be aware of what is happening in the world.
Sometimes — no — OFTEN I can’t get over what is considered “news,” and how it is presented. As you point out, we are in the information age. It can be overwhelming.
When I think of the changes that took place in my grandparents’ lifetime, it is mind-boggling.
Great post, Clauds. I love how you make us think out here.
Sometimes, I wonder, Marie, whether knowing anything that goes on beyond my living room is of value other than as scare tactics on the part of those “in the know.” Other times I can laugh at the absurdity of the world and those who live on it.
Six of one… and all that.
I’m glad that you enjoyed my morning musings.
Claudsy