This Is Not Really About Children So Much

Having a themed blog is tricky. Sometimes I want to write about stuff that is not really related to children. This post is slightly related to children in only the most teeny tiny way. Enjoy.

"...we wanted to affirm the idea that media is something you can choose and control, not a collective demonic unconscious that fills up your imagination and swallows all your spare time."

The quote comes from a series on homeschooling on Salon:
http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2010/08/29/homeschooling_dora_the_explorer/index.html

I often contemplate my media intake. I love the internet because it answers all of my questions in an instant. The bad side is that I often find myself mindlessly surfing Huffington Post rather than doing important tasks like tracking down my missing 401 (k) plan from 2005. In general, though, I'm pretty in control of what I'm listening to and reading. For example, I know that I love reading about national and international events, but I hate watching local newscasts. I despise sitting there and watching other people's personal tragedies played out for dramatic effect. I don't like feeling threatened by my household objects or the weather or bedbugs. There is nothing good about local news. My solution is to refuse to watch it*.

* The obvious exception to this ban is NY1, because it's so low budget that they just give you the basics, no drama, no creepy co-anchor banter between people who actually hate each other. And Pat Kiernan will read the papers to you. Why can't I get NY1 in NH?

Come away with me, Pat.

Where am I going with this? Good question.

Glenn Beck, you are no Pat Kiernan.

I try to be the boss of my own media consumption, yet somehow I know so much about this scumbag. I've never watched his show. He has invaded the nation's consciousness. Fear of the nebulous, unspecified Other! Mexicans! Muslims! Obama! Kenyans! Commies! Socialists! Nazis! Obama's fake army of middle schoolers! Anchor babies! The Trans Fat Hating Nanny State!

Also...Tea Partiers! They're scary as hell and there's billions of them, or so Glenn Beck and his puppetmasters would like me to think.

This babbling moron gets paid a $32 million dollar salary to scare people into hating each other. I will raise a toast when he departs this earth. Until then, I have been thinking a lot about finding ways to focus my attention on positive things that undermine the culture of fear.

Here's one:
http://www.islamicreliefusa.org/

Here's another one:
http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/

And another one:
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/

Those of us who don't want to live in fear have to make conscious choices and stay smart. I've resolved not to be suckered into hating the Tea Party people I see on the internet (I've actually never met one in person) just as I resolved long ago not to be suckered into hating Muslims.

Glenn, I don't hate you. I nothing you.

Rachel Maddow, call me!