RANT ON

My media patience has just about reached its limit.

In a world such as ours, with a bazillion people, 7 continents, 200-plus countries and 24 hours in a day, you'd think there would be something going on out there more important, more life altering or thought provoking than dead celebrity body battles and bald celebrities hopping in and out of rehab.

I learned "in my day" that it is the responsibility of the journalist to report the news in a neutral fashion, covering the 5 W's while preserving the integrity of both the subject and the reporter. These two stories, headlining for over a week now, have been hashed, rehashed, beaten unto death. The reporters covering these stories seem to relish every grisly, gritty, stinky little detail. Integrity (what's that?) seems to have gone out the window. The media sinks right into the mud pit, going for the Lowest Common Denominator every time.

The most disturbing aspect of this behavior is that these antics are so commonplace, so "every day" that we're getting immune to it. That these extreme, shocking behaviors are becoming normal.

WTF?

I don't want my child to gain adulthood in a world where going to rehab is "normal." I don't want him to think that the LCD is the only viable entertainment option. That the nastier is the better. I don't want him to get all of his "truths" from a TV screen. I don't want him to believe that he "deserves" to be a celebrity or a millionaire without even trying. And most importantly, I don't want him to have to raise his future children in such an environment.

Only time will tell the outcome, but I fear for integrity, decency and plain kindness. For if they get beaten in the ring, what will be left?

RANT OFF