A friend recently sent me a viral text that read, "It was once said that a black man would be president 'when pigs fly.' Indeed, 100+ days into Obama's presidency...Swine flu!"
Just days after this "pandemic" has been declared, people are already finding clever ways to make light of the subject and poke fun at the president. The things we do to ease the onslaught of bad headlines and voice our democratic discontent.
We debated at our last story meeting as to whether or not Listen Up should cover this story. I groaned inward and outward for a few reasons. The first being that I already have my own case of headline fatigue over the media coverage on swine flu. Or wait, could that possibly be one of the symptoms of the virus? Should I see a doctor? Should Lorna interview me?
The second reason is a little less selfish. My sister is due to get married in Cozumel, Mexico in just a few weeks. If Listen Up covers the story then I've just affirmed that in fact, there is something to this break out, and I should not take the risk to enjoy a sunny paradise and see my sister walk down a sandy beach aisle. I'm afraid a blue medical mask is not the accessory we were hoping to wear with our coral bridesmaids' dresses.
The third reason is a little more complicated. While Listen Up thrives on covering the headlines of the day, our job gets tricky in that unlike any other news organization, we look for God amidst the headlines. And so I have to ask, "where is God in this swine flu?" "How will this story change our world for the better and bring people to a closer understanding of who God is?"
I have no idea. What I do know though is that comparatively speaking, very few people have died as a result of this pandemic than those that have died and will die of HIV/AIDS, malaria, or starvation. In the time that it takes for CNN, CBC, ABC, and CTV to run their latest spin on the Flu to keep you tuned into the fear, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives will be taken from other causes not related to a pig.
But this story relates to us, right? Americans and Canadians could die. Forgive me for my insensitivity to this latest breaking story, but I can't help but wonder what other headlines are being canned in light of this outbreak. Perhaps, they're not "sexy" enough for primetime at this time. In other words, when pigs fly, ratings soar.
In the meantime, I'm gonna scan the backpages of our newspapers and listen for the stories buried within networks' busy broadcasts. Who knows--I just may find God there.
Reposted with permission from Listen Up TV.
Just days after this "pandemic" has been declared, people are already finding clever ways to make light of the subject and poke fun at the president. The things we do to ease the onslaught of bad headlines and voice our democratic discontent.
We debated at our last story meeting as to whether or not Listen Up should cover this story. I groaned inward and outward for a few reasons. The first being that I already have my own case of headline fatigue over the media coverage on swine flu. Or wait, could that possibly be one of the symptoms of the virus? Should I see a doctor? Should Lorna interview me?
The second reason is a little less selfish. My sister is due to get married in Cozumel, Mexico in just a few weeks. If Listen Up covers the story then I've just affirmed that in fact, there is something to this break out, and I should not take the risk to enjoy a sunny paradise and see my sister walk down a sandy beach aisle. I'm afraid a blue medical mask is not the accessory we were hoping to wear with our coral bridesmaids' dresses.
The third reason is a little more complicated. While Listen Up thrives on covering the headlines of the day, our job gets tricky in that unlike any other news organization, we look for God amidst the headlines. And so I have to ask, "where is God in this swine flu?" "How will this story change our world for the better and bring people to a closer understanding of who God is?"
I have no idea. What I do know though is that comparatively speaking, very few people have died as a result of this pandemic than those that have died and will die of HIV/AIDS, malaria, or starvation. In the time that it takes for CNN, CBC, ABC, and CTV to run their latest spin on the Flu to keep you tuned into the fear, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives will be taken from other causes not related to a pig.
But this story relates to us, right? Americans and Canadians could die. Forgive me for my insensitivity to this latest breaking story, but I can't help but wonder what other headlines are being canned in light of this outbreak. Perhaps, they're not "sexy" enough for primetime at this time. In other words, when pigs fly, ratings soar.
In the meantime, I'm gonna scan the backpages of our newspapers and listen for the stories buried within networks' busy broadcasts. Who knows--I just may find God there.
Reposted with permission from Listen Up TV.