Sensationalism

written by: stacia_doss.

TLC's "Breaking Amish" Cast (via the TLC website)

The definition of sensation (according to good ol' Merriam-Webster) is "arousing or tending to arouse (as by lurid details) a quick, intense, and usually superficial interest, curiosity, or emotional reaction." This is what we, as Americans, love. We love the documentation of "reality TV." Yes, even when that reality is quite pseudo, something about the drama and excitement of it makes us continue to watch. I found myself doing so the other day as I watched "Breaking Amish," TLC network's reality show that documents young adults who seemingly have recently broken free from their Amish (and Mennonite) communities to live life as the "English" (as they call it) in New York City. I started looking up information about the characters and all that appeared was that it was not as real as I had hoped, and TLC admitted it. These people were not-so-new to the world outside of the communities in which they were brought up, but had been away for some time. But did I stop watching the show? No. I continued...I liked the drama of it. I liked the sensationalism that TLC was trying to bring and it piqued my curiosity. 

Look at the presidential debates. People are drawn to the drama of it all and if there is not much action, we typically are not that interested. Things could get boring for many. Yes, the debates are important. I know that. However, the media focus has been the "aggressiveness" and drama of the past two debates. Does it really matter who interrupts the most or who speaks the loudest? Of course not! The issues are what matters, and fortunately for the Americans, the debates give them a chance to hear both. The "winner" according to polls is usually the "most aggressive," rather than who said the most words that were actually meaningful and cohesive together. The concept of a debate is basically an argument, so there you get both. It's more dramatic to watch the demeanor of the candidates on television, but hearing it on the radio can be just as "exciting." Have you ever thought about it that way? People get so anxious and aroused to hear candidates call each other out on issues. A sense of excitement nearly overcomes them. I guarantee you that the highlight and the most remembered moments of last week's vice presidential debate was the laughter and sarcastic smirks of Vice President Joe Biden. I am not saying he was not making some great points, but that was the most sensational aspect of the debate. It brought a hint of drama.

My sister sent me a video today. "You have to watch this," she said. She was in disbelief that I had not seen this viral video, so I checked it out. It was part of what inspired this post. (Before you click, the language in the video burned my ears. It may be better to watch it on mute.) Here is the video. It was ridiculous, right? But it wasn't so much the main point of the video that made me think, it was the fact that there is a video. When we see anything exciting or dramatic unfolding before our eyes, many of us reach for our phones to proceed to take photos and record. It looks as if someone in the video got closer to the drama to film his or her own version.Why?! Is it just a human instinct to be drawn to these types of things? Beware that any type of "fight" or dispute that makes others uncomfortable is likely going to be documented by some onlooker around you. 

I challenge you to think...what is it about us that makes us this way? I am pretty sure it has not always been this way. What do you think? I'd like to know.

Vegas, President Obama, and Silence.

 written by: stacia_doss.

*Cracks knuckles*

Its been a while since I’ve written an entry. I apologize to any followers of this blog who’ve been anticipating a new post, but life has been so busy lately!

I want to talk about…politics.

Remember this ignorant statement made by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) a while back: “Media protect Obama because he is black, liberal?” For nearly a year, if not more, most of the news reports I’ve seen have been negatively reflected upon President Obama. And no, I’m not just talking about Fox News and other conservative news and radio stations or publications. I am referencing ALL of them.

That baloney statement was made by Rep. Walsh in September.  While negative Obama articles, polls, and general reports continued to hit the web, television, radio, and the steps of Americans across the country, no one seemed to refute his statement. Of course, the evidence was right there in front of you through all of those mediums, but earlier this week, I finally saw actual proof of the opposite in this study released by CBS (and the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism). The title: “Study finds harsh media coverage for Obama.” Well, DUH!?

My mind is open to hearing what all the candidates have to say. So I took the time to watch the bickering and arguing on the Western Republican Presidential Debate that aired Tuesday night on CNN, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. No one seemed to be able to say anything about the future. Each candidate seemed to only be focusing on themselves and each others’ pasts, (especially Mitt Romney and Rick Perry...and Mitt Romney and____well, basically anyone else who was on stage). Except for Herman Cain, of course, defending his 9-9-9 plan, and Michelle Bachmann who seemed to do nothing but continue to go off a long list of how terrible and evil President Obama is. Buffoonery at its best occurred within the time frame that I watched the debate, and to sum it up, CNN’s David Gergen, among others said “The Obama campaign was the winner of tonight’s debate.”

Back to my original topic: the media. It amazes me how easily people are swayed by the media, but I’m starting to realize that Americans aren’t as gullible as television and various publications make them appear to be. Mostly every report I’ve seen (until a recent one aired on CBS) has shown people shouting out how much they dislike the President, he’s bad for this country, and so on…but what about those who are for him? I know they have to exist. Everyone can’t be anti-Obama, but they seem to be keeping their thoughts to themselves and out of the media’s reach. Various emails and pages run by members of the Obama campaign show supporters do exist and in large numbers, but does the media highlight that? No. Never underestimate the power of a silent voter. 

In the words of Confucius, “Silence is the true friend that never betrays.” 

Five Ways President Obama changed HER life..

I thought this video was interesting, so I'm sharing it. Nice to hear something positive about the leader of our country. I was able to catch last night's Presidential Address by President Obama announcing the "sooner than some expected" date for the withdrawal of troops. I am a little curious to see how this is going to work and the ultimate result it will have on the economy/families across the country. Hopefully it's just as positive as this woman's life has become.

What a waste of the President's time.

Let me start this post...

article by: stacia_doss.
by sending a huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! to the Memphis Grizzlies on the team's first playoff win in the history of its franchise. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs, who held the second best regular season record in the league,  in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs Sunday afternoon in San Antonio.

The Grizzlies win came about with a combined 49 points from center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph, who also had 14 defensive rebounds during the game. With eight lead changes and eight ties throughout the game, Memphis was able to seal the deal after the Spurs' guard George Hill fouled the Grizzlies Tony Allen, leaving him with two free throw shots. The 101-98 win brought a spirit of victory across the city of Memphis, I'm sure. Game 2 Wednesday night in San Antonio. Then, the teams will head to Memphis for games 3 and 4.



"The Celebrity Apprentice" cast (Courtesy of: nbc.com)

In completely other news, I have been keeping up with Donald Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice (CA)," Season four. I have also been taking note of his interest in becoming the possible GOP frontrunner for the 2012 election against President Obama. Here's some information on that. It's pretty much all I care to post regarding it. :-) But, CA has been an eye opener for how things are in the real world. Not everyone is a leader, and not everyone can follow. Sometimes in life, we come across people who can do neither. Those people are pretty much Gary Busey.

Have a great afternoon, folks. Sorry I've been away for so long, but I'm back!!

Long time, no blog.

written by:stacia_doss.
So much has been going on lately. I've been writing so many articles and essays outside of Blogger that I almost neglected my own blog! I know, shame on me!

Don't think I haven't missed out on all the unnecessary celebrity drama, the Wisconsin protesters, the shocking NBA trades, or the results of the NFL Combine..Oh no, believe that I have been paying attention even if I haven't blogged about it.

The New York Knicks recently acquired Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony, who (and correct me if I'm wrong) is currently averaging the most points per game in the NBA. So far, Amare Stoudamire and the rest of the Knickerbockers are doing great and contributing significantly to wins with their fresh-faced team. Good for them!

I really cannot comment much on some of the other issues. They are interesting, and one is very important. I just can't find the words or energy to express how I feel about them right now.

I am sitting back to see where 2010 Heisman winner, Cam Newton, will end up when he enters the NFL draft. Could it be the Tennessee Titans? I'm kicking my feet up on the table and just waiting to see what his verdict will be.

The state of Americans on the State of the Union

Courtesy of: zimbio.com

 article by:stacia_doss.
Aside from listening to the Republican Response and hearing from political analysts, I find that the best way for me to see what America thought of President Obama's State of the Union speech is through comments.

Many people like me now get their news "non-traditionally",meaning not from a newspaper at my front door or by cutting on the television. We look online. We read articles and comment.

From what I have seen from this Yahoo! article is a good variety of comments both for and against President Obama. However, those who didn't compose their own comments seemed to have said the most and showed the most disgust. What I'm saying is that there were several thumbs up on negative comments, and more thumbs down on the positive ones.

How about CNN? What Americans had to say about this article were generally in support of Obama's speech. But then again, CNN is often accused of having liberal bias.

So...what do I think?

I think it was a great State of the Union address, overall. There were a few things analysts mentioned prior to the speech that they said were "musts" for him to discuss, such as gun control and global warming. However, I feel he touched on very important issues...the issues that the majority of Americans feel are most vital at this time.

It was pretty predictable,(and I knew this before he even said a word), that many reactions would be negative. It doesn't matter what he or anyone else says that is positive, if things aren't happening as he speaks about them, some people are just not going to be convinced. Consequently, the false hope and promises the Republicans are making ( to completely oppose Obama) aren't any better than those the Democrats have promised and have yet made true. They just sound better to the American people right now because Republicans haven't had the chance to show us that most of their agenda can also not be done in the blink of an eye.

What I read from the comments were a lot of people saying that he was speaking on promises he can't keep..they almost read as if the speech should have never been made. Well, the point of the State of the Union address is to speak the truth with motivation and hope for a prosperous future. I feel he did that eloquently. Anyone in the position would have done the same..not a hopeless speech full of negative and hostile rhetoric. That wouldn't be very motivating, would it?

I'd like to know what you think.

A bunch of nothing...

written by:stacia_doss
So much has been going on politically and entertainment-wise, but I just haven't felt the need to comment on it. However, I must address a few things.

1) Repeal
2) American Idol
3) NFL

The House voted Wednesday to repeal President Obama's health care overhaul. But many say it is a waste of time. It is unlikely that it will pass in the Senate, and the president has vowed to veto it if it lands on his desk. So now I ask, what is the point? There are more than a dozen issues that should be addressed right now. It took forever for health care reform to pass in the first place. So why not try to change it? Republicans might be more successful with that strategy, but they don't seem to even want to consider that...

I boycotted against watching American Idol, which premiered this Wednesday night. With 2 new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, I wonder how the show has changed. (If you want to know my story with the show, read this.)

I have vowed not to watch NFL for a while. And if I do, I won't be cheering for anyone. During this season, I have placed myself in the position of so many other crazy fans across the world...emotionally upset over losses and terrible calls. Is it worth all that? I can honestly say, I've never felt as passionate about watching sports as I have this year. This is how I have grown to consume my time? I need to return to my old hobbies. Ha!

Oh yeah, I thought this kind of interesting...check it out: "What if John McCain had won the White House?"

Finger pointing in Arizona shooting

article by:stacia_doss.

                Pictured: Congresswoman Gabrielle
Giffords (D-Arizona)

If by some chance, you are uninformed about any sort of important news, you've yet to hear about the Tucson, Arizona shootings. Six were killed and 12 others were wounded Saturday when a gunman opened fire outside a grocery store in Tucson, where congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was holding a constituent meeting, police said.

Among casualties were the deaths of a nine-year old girl, and U.S. District Judge John Roll. The young girl was invited by Giffords to get a glimpse of the political process. Judge Roll had served for nearly 40 years and had been a chief judge for the District of Arizona since 2006, according to cnn.com.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, but is said to be making good progress in her struggle towards recovery.

As the picture begins to come clear as to who the gunman was, 22-year old Jared L. Loughner of Tucson, many are pointing the finger at the Tea Party's use of volatile rhetoric to rowel up Americans like Loughner.

Both Judge Roll and Congresswoman Giffords, a democrat, had been threatened in the past for their support of issues revolving around support of civil-rights for illegal immigrants and "Obamacare", President Obama's health-care plan.

According to Caitie Parker, a young lady who claims to have been a former friend of Loughner's described him as a "left wing, quite liberal and oddly obsessed with the 2012 prophecy" . However, Giffords, the primary target, was a democrat.

No confirmed sources have proved what political affiliation Loughner was, yet the blame is being placed on both parties.

It is factual that Loughner appeared to be acting alone. Several reports have indicated his mental instability.

Honestly, it is an individual's own fault if he or she chooses to react irately to words, rulings, and otherwise. Regardless of Loughner's political affiliation, no one but him can be blamed for the brutal acts he committed on Saturday.

If he was in someway influenced by the recent hostile rhetoric between one party to the other, I only fear the emergence of copycats.

Christmas, taxes, and punt returns

written by:stacia_doss.
I think that Desean Jackson's (Philadephia Eagles WR)punt return against the New York Giants on Sunday was one of the most phenomonal plays I've seen in a while. If you haven't seen it..here it is.

After having the lead for most of the game, the Giants faltered to the Eagles with the help of their talented quarterback, Michael Vick. Desean Jackson simply put the icing on the cake with his 77 yard punt return.

But don't worry,(if you were wondering),Giants' punter Matt Dodge is still employed. He can't be totally blamed for the team's loss.

In other news, The Tennessee Titans were somehow able to snap a six game losing streak on Sunday in their second meeting against the Houston Texans. Tennessee closed the game out with a 31-17 victory. Good for them.

Good news pertaining me, and several other Americans is that President Obama signed a 'holiday-season tax bill extending cuts for all Americans' on Friday.

This sounds like a bill that will pretty much help all Americans and I'm glad he and the GOP could finally come to a compromise. I look forward to economic progress in the future.

If, by some chance, I don't get an opportunity to post between now and Christmas, have a Merry one, or a Happy "Whatever it is you choose to celebrate" Day! :)

Where's gridlock politics leave us? In the wind.

written by: stacia_doss.
Since the "shellacking" that President Barack Obama took a few short weeks ago--the switch of power in the House of Representatives from Democratic to Republican--the American people have seen no mercy and help for the suffering economy.

As the two go back and forth, failing to pass things that could help us, we are the ones suffering.

I just read an article...check out the headline..something about it seems wrong to me...

Democrats fail to pass jobless benefits extension

But as I read a little further, I realized that it was the House (which has Republican control) that failed to pass the extension, so why does the headline read like it was the fault of the Democrats? They don't even have enough power in the House of Representatives to really even make a difference anymore. I guess it is supposed to mean that "Democratic efforts fail to pass" but the headline is very misleading to me.

Check out this quote, from a Democrat:

"I don't see how Republicans can go home for Thanksgiving knowing that, because they blocked this bill, hundreds of thousands of people may not have a turkey on their table," said Democratic Representative Sander Levin, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

I don't understand. The morning after the election, I wrote a piece stating that if these two parties could learn to work together for our sake (the American people) instead of going against everything, the country would be a lot better in several aspects. However, it seems like the Republican agenda is that of which I thought:To do absolutely nothing for the overall benefit of the country. Rather, the itinerary is nothing less than the slogan of "stop everything" but "do nothing". Sad day for us.

Presidential Stuff..I really like this.

President Barack Obama embraces First Lady Michelle Obama as they wait to speak at a rally on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Oct 17, 2010.

(Courtesy of jackandjillpolitics.com and White House photographer Pete Souza)

The Most Racist Campaign in Decades, and What It Demands of Us (re-post)

'Tis the season to be voting. Will you be at the polls? I certainly hope so.

In my web browsing earlier, I came across something posted on a page that I visit from time to time. I deemed it worthy of re-posting.

Check out this important post found on: jackandjillpolitics.com


---->>The Most Racist Campaign in Decades, and What It Demands of Us<<----

Obama Administration: Was firing Shirley Sherrod wrong?

written by:stacia_doss.

This week, Shirley Sherrod, former Georgia Director for Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture,was fired by Thomas J. Vilsak, the Secretary of Agriculture, for former comments made to the NAACP.

The Background: Conservative Blogger, Andrew Breitbart , published an edited video on Monday, showing Sherrod speaking during an NAACP function. The clip showed her saying that when a white farmer had once asked her for help in saving his farm,she did not “give him the full force of what I could do” to help him, because of his race."

With the recent revealing of honest and blantant racism within the Tea Party, USDA(United States Department of Agriculture) fired Sherrod, with a non-tolerance attitude and justification for eliminating any speculation of reverse racism within the administration.

What the tape did not show was the rest of the speech, where Sherrod says that she did indeed help the white farmer and his wife in saving their farm.

My Take: The termination of Sherrod was hasty and unnecessary. I believe she should be re-instated. Her words were taken in part, not in full spectrum, and blown out of proportion. Had the administration seen the WHOLE video , it would have seen the entire story. No one should be fired off of an incomplete statement. It's simply not right or fair.

As I was watching the news last night, I saw the Georgia farmer and his wife that asked Sherrod for help all those years ago. They were thankful for what she had done, and stated that racism towards them was completely absent. She did everything in her power to help them.(Watch from this post) So why do the critics refuse to believe the opposite? Ignorance. It was just an attack to counteract the overwhelming recent discussion of the racist Tea party and diverge attention away from it.