It’s an interesting paradox that often the worst of times brings out the best in people. Never more has this been true than with the story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001. Tom Brokaw recently did a piece on this tiny town off the Canadian coast that aired during NBC’s Olympics coverage. When the airspace in the U.S. was shut down after the terrorist attacks, this quiet little village took in almost 7,000 stranded passengers for several days (the visitors almost doubled the population of the town). And the stories that come from that moment in time are amazing. Brokaw’s piece is a must-watch – and if you’re prone to sappy stories (like I am), then you better get the box of Kleenex ready.
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As the days before the election in November continue to count down, I’m starting to wonder if I’m not going to wear out before we get there – from of all of the political BS that’s being slung around these days. Despite my opinions about who I plan to vote for, and who I think is being more unfair at the given moment in this campaign, I think that both sides are equally at fault for all of this crap at different times. And it has me worried and wondering if we’re ever going to be able to unite again as a country or if, as one person I was speaking to recently said, it’s the “New American Civil War” – not fought with guns, but with words. So with this in mind, I once again found myself exasperated by what I saw on the Today Show this morning. Matt Lauer, Tim Pawlenty, and Bill Richardson – none of them were helping to clarify the situation – they were all just there to muck it up even more. I found what Pawlenty and Richardson had to say to be completely worthless – full of intellectual dishonesty – and other than depressing me at the state of political divisiveness with 48 days left to go, the only other thought I was left with was thank God these two aren’t the VP choices!
These are the things that I love about YouTube and the internet nowadays. Years ago, this type of material would’ve never really seen the light of day unless you saw it live. The commentators thought their mikes were turned off – but of course they weren’t. And so, the viewer was able to hear what they really thought about McCain’s choice of Palin as a running mate. And maybe it’s a bit of an insight into why the media has spent time on this – because in a way, aren’t they just voicing what a lot of people are thinking? Not believing whole-heartedly. But at least thinking, or questioning? And isn’t that part of the responsibility of the media – to reflect the conversation going on in America? When done admirably, the media’s role is to ask the questions we the American people would want to ask if we were there. I haven’t spoken to anyone, Democrat, Republican, or otherwise, who isn’t at least acknowledging the surprise choice, and some of the motives behind it. Even if you love Sarah Palin (and even myself, I find her to be terribly interesting, amusing, fun, competent, and formidable – even if I don’t agree with her politics) – you still have questions? The media is getting a lot of bashing in the past few days from the Republican right – who are saying they’re being too hard – sexist even – in their coverage of Palin. But as I suspect, what we’re seeing is just a measured level of what most of them are thinking. And this clip demonstrates that suspicion. Oh, and remember – these are Republican pundits speaking here – not liberal-leaning left-wing supposed media elitists.
Tags: election, nbc, palin, Politics, republican
Michael J. Sonntag
Michael is a film & TV producer, casting director, teacher, and actor, who lives and works in Los Angeles, California.
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