THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 - MEDIA, HATE, DIVISION

 

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 - MEDIA, HATE, DIVISION

The day that is a command “March forth”

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DISCLAIMER.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT I AM ON MY “SOAPBOX” TODAY.  I AM “PREACHING” MY PERSONAL VIEWPOINTS!!! AND THAT VIEWPOINT IS LOVE WINS!!

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I hate two wonderful friends - let’s call them A and B. One is a fervent Fox-News viewer and the other is a fervent MS-NBC viewer.  Depending on the day, A will watch Fox from about 5:00 to 10:00 pm, and B will watch MSNBC from 7:00 to 10:00. 

To me, the two “big personalities” are Sean Hannity on Fox and Rachel Maddow on MS-NBC.

If you turned the SOUND OFF - and watched an hour of Rachel Maddow, and then watched an hour of Sean Hannity - my guess is that they would be similar if the sound is off.  

Actresses (in general) always had make-up.  I'm sure the off-screen directors, handlers, and producers do ” make-up” -  not necessarily their looks, but an analysis of how these big anchors make the show entertaining (and get more viewers).

Rachel and Sean have make-up persons, publicity staff, and a full crew of people doing the research that makes their programs appealing (and making money)!!  My bias is that the more fervent the ideas expressed the stronger their audience poll.  Ratings lead to advertising rates, advertising rates lead to network profitability.

They probably have writers and lawyers that keep them from crossing over into libel lawsuits!

According to Forbes Management, Sean Hannity gets 36 million a year (https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2018/07/16/sean-hannity-celebrity-100/?sh=75fcfa6d2d93) 

Rachel Maddow is not quite in the same league (yet) - making only 7 million a year (https://filmdaily.co/news/rachel-maddow-net-worth/) 

TIME OUT - Sean Hannity gets 36 million a year?  That’s a lot of money.  If you follow the money, advertisers are “throwing” money at his program because he reaches a lot of people.  He has a lot of FANS - or he has a lot of FANATICS!! 

Rachel Maddow gets 7 million a year - I won’t make that much in my lifetime!!!  These must be some great ENTERTAINERS!!  

And where do these “entertainers” and their shows get the money?  From sponsors.  The more flamboyant, the more outlandish, the more implications they make - the more viewers, the higher the ratings, and the more the networks charge the sponsors.  (Remember the “Follow the Money” concept!!)

And, viewers - and friends - what can I do about their programs.  If I’m upset about Ted Cruz’s trip to Mexico, can I do anything about it?  (Nope - nil.)  I suppose I could write a note to senator Cruz and get a pleasant “Thank you for your note”.  I’m pretty sure that Senator Cruz doesn’t see notes from most of his constituents - unless the name is significant - and their support of his last campaign was well known.  

Can I get upset about Governor Cuomo’s handling of the COVID deaths in nursing homes in New York? He isn’t even my governor.  But, the networks want me to say to my friends “Last night I saw this report on (pick ‘em - Fox or MSNBC) about Ted Cruz or Governor Cuomo.”  If I am convincing, my friends might tune in tonight to see what the coverage is.  

The political networks WANT you to get upset with those of different political orientations. They want you to be emotional - they want you to be yelling “Throw the bums out” when talking of the opposition party.  They want you to “throw the first stone” when killing the woman caught in adultery. 

The reality is that YOU can’t change any of the stories.  I can only change ONE person - myself.  If Governor Cuomo really intentionally hurt COVID victims by his inaccurate reporting - that may or may not be noteworthy.  To be honest, I doubt that Governor Cuomo made this up.  He got his information from various sources and aides.  Now, he may have covered up the data - and the question is did he do it intentionally - with malice in his thoughts? Did one of his cabinet or staff hide the data?  And, what do the political networks want to do?  One side wants to PAINT him as wrong, as evil, as a tyrant.  (Did you read the novel 1984 - George Orwell described a TWO-MINUTE Hate - where the people are encouraged to hate and scream at the other side.)

Was President Trump really a super evil man?  Was he the new version of Hitler?  Was he demon-possessed?  (Somehow I doubt it).  But, one side wants to paint him as the (current) worst villain in the United States).  

And, likewise, now President Biden is depicted as an evil (or stupid) man.  He is systematically undoing the wonderful things his predecessor did.  

Did Senator Cruz commit a mistake in judgment when he took a family vacation to Mexico in the middle of a pandemic and the worst week of weather this winter? I hope he and his family had a good trip!! I don’t know and may never know.

-AND DOES IT REALLY MATTER IN THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS???  (probably not)

- AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?  (nothing)

Over time, I’ve written about “walking a mile in their shoes”.  I’ve made enough mistakes and I know that others make mistakes too.  How about forgiveness?  Is that still in vogue?  

I have a preference that public officials (either party) if they really have made a mistake can fess up and admit it.  Two days ago, I talked of King David of Israel lusting after Bathsheeba.  And then standing up publicly and saying, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight,”

My education says “Follow the Money” - and, political commentators are “entertainers” and invoke people to watch their programs - and see their advertisements - and maybe somebody will buy the products!!!  And they are BRASH, and IN-YOUR-FACE and they get a loyal following.  

So my two friends have made their determination. And, of course, my guess is that A voted for Donald Trump in the last election and B voted for Joe Biden.  And, I’m pretty sure that A still has his Trump bumper sticker up - and proclaims that the “election was stolen”.  And, I’m pretty sure that B still has her Biden bumper sticker on her car.  (And, the ‘hate’ continues)

I have suggested that we are in an (un-) CIVIL WAR - we like to judge and cut down the statements, opinions of our enemies.  I also say LOVE WINS.  

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”  Ephesians 4:2 NLT

“For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

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“Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness.” (1 John 2:9)

“All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them.  (1 John 3:15)

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for ALL PEOPLE. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.: 1 Timothy 2:1-2

I sense we are NOT being fair with each other - THAT WE WANT TO HATE OTHERS.  I like Dorothy Day’s quote “I can only love God as much as the person I love the least”.  My personal belief is that ‘hate’ robs you of God’s love.

And, a quote from Carl Jung, Swiss psychologist, and philosopher - "Thinking is difficult, that is why most people judge".

I am trying (hard) to NOT HATE anybody; I am trying (hard) to LOVE everybody.  

And for my friends A and B - I love you both.  I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!  You both are “made in the image and likeness of God”.  

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen