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From the Publisher

2012-04-20 08:10:26

Just my opinion

Thank you for joining us for the May 2012 issue of the SE Kansas Q&A Times Journal. Always glad to have you and a very special thanks to all who make this publication possible. OKAY… I’m not sure how many others feel this way, but it’s just my opinion and I have to say—I am fed up with mainstream media feeding off all the negativity in the world. Even worse, where no negativity exists, it is to be grown, manufactured, molded, and then manipulated as absolute truth. In my opinion, they dictate or have a hand in nearly everything that is wrong in this country, including the status of the economy. And America, it seems, is all too ready to draw a whole conclusion from half a story. We are far too ready to have others do the thinking for us. So, unless media doesn’t care about humanity, and simply only cares about sales and stories, while thriving off of violence, why not bring about more topics that are GOOD for America? What has brought this rant out in me? Well…the most recent example is the Trayvon Martin case. Now, I am not assuming what is truth in this case or the guilt or innocence of those involved. What I am referring to is how the media presents part of the story or manipulates what you see and hear to cause a certain reaction. Let me say that again, “I am referring to how the media presents part of the story or manipulates what you see and hear to cause a certain reaction”. In this instance, using older pictures of both parties, one to look younger and smaller, and in the case of the shooter, an old picture where he was younger, bigger, and stronger. Even in light of the media overly manipulating and editing the 911 recordings, controlling what the public hears, and the public still does not hold them responsible for irresponsibly reporting. When you think about the implications of that, it is staggering. It is not just in current event news, information is manipulated in the “reporting” of sports, celebrities, the economy, and much more. Perhaps we sold out long ago and there is no turning back, I don’t know. Media is “owned” and is a money making venture. It provides what sells no matter if it hurts an individual or the entire nation. Is it that we have an insatiable desire for whatever is bad in the world? Is it that we feel obliged to believe that the negative so far outweighs the good? I, to this day, do not believe so. When the public is in control, for instance on Facebook, why are most posts positive, bright, funny and loving life? When was the last time you went to a movie where in the end, evil wins? Doesn’t happen, which tells me we still long for good in this country. I will be the first to admit, there is plenty of room for improvement in our society. PLENTY. However, I believe it is time to get back to looking for good in America, in our communities, and in our neighbors and not succumb to the negativity and the whole anti-American culture that surrounds and/or fuels it. Where there is bad, I am willing to look at it in light of the truth. I do not want it packaged for me in controversial terms or manipulated information. Please just report things and let the proper authorities do the investigating. More than that, the good and strength of America deserves more recognition than a simple side note. It is high time we get back to thriving off our ingenuity, not off of the trials and tragedies of others. Thank you all, I had to vent! Please enjoy this publication and I sincerely appreciate you picking it up and reading us each month. Jerod Norris Publisher The SE Kansas Q&A Times Journal