From where do you get your NEWS?

This morning on one of the news shows I watched at the Y, they were talking about Stephen Colbert and his “news” program on Comedy Central. Long story short, they were discussing how many young people get their news from such satirical television shows. It made me think about current events and how my opinions have been shaped by television.

I remember the Bush/Gore debate spoofs in 2000 that were done by Saturday Night Live. They were fair in their portrayal: Bush was a dummy, Gore was a complete bore. NOT TRUE TO LIFE, mind you, but those were the given impressions. Then I remember hearing on the legitimate news how both the Bush AND Gore camps would watch those debate spoofs to see how they appeared! They were using the SNL impressions to change their approaches to the debate! That is a smart move, but it lends a dangerous credence to satirical television. It made me think, “Well, there must be something to these portrayals!”

Now that I am 40 yrs old, I know better . . . When I was a kid and a young adult, I DID NOT. And such comedy really shaped my opinions. Now that I know better, that comedy is even MORE funny to me, but it is because I try to stay current with the issues and players. But what if I did NOT know better?? What if those sources were my only links to current news??

That would be veddy, veddy bad (as Dominican Lou would say). Now more than ever, we NEED to know the candidates and the issues FOR REAL!! The older I get, the more I learn to keep my eyes on political candidates. They are not always what they appear to be. This is my blog, so I can really write what I think here, and I will try to know everything I can about each candidate from now on. That is my duty as an American.

And, YOURS TOO.