Media priorities

[Theophylact]

Jeff Danziger's take.

[aldtech]

Yes I would have to agree, as great of a sacrifice as Tillman made for our country, his should not be the only one honored. This does not mean that his story should not be told but more that everyone who has made the ultimate sacrifice should have the same equal treatment and respect.

AL

[Epidemic]

Well simply put I think that tillman is used because he is recognized.

With Princess Diana, was she on TV because she was killed in a horrible tragedy to push the horrors of drinking and driving. No, she was all over every station for months because she was famous.

Thousands of people die every day in car accidents. but they get at best local press. And in actuallity even the war dead are getting the local press (at least where I am in virginia).

People feel a kinship to their stars.

They also feel a kinship with members of the community.

Stars are reported in the national press
and locals are in the local press.

[butch81385]

at first i thought it was good that they gave him so much honor. then i thought that he didnt deserve it more than anyone else. but then i realised something. (it may be what epi was hitting at) if someone in your comunity is killed, they usually have some type of memorial or some sort of recognition (espescially in small communities where everyone knows everyone). friends and family gather in memory of that person. now when a national celebrity is killed, its almost like the every person is their "friend" so it ends up being broadcasted to the entire nation.

hope that makes sense

[aldtech]

Point well taken and agreed to but I think that the cartoon is pointing out that the "press" is disregarding or dismissing the others as un-important.

AL

[MTAtech]

Quite frankly, the media is lazy and easy stories predominate.
With a war in Iraq where soldiers are dying every day, millions unemployed and terrorists threatening basic security, what issue does the media focus on in this presidential year? What did John Kerry do with his medals and ribbons 30 years ago.

[John Prophet]

the media are crass and low brow..just like the society they feed their junk to...also keep in mind that $$$ is behind the decisions etc....Tillman was a "story"..stories sell. Even this cartoon is sort of low brow..sort of "common"..because it just aims at the base instincts...just causes more anger and more finger pointing etc.

our society is no doubt declining rapidly and we are close equivalants to the greek and roman worlds which collapsed and imploded....historical facts.....so the media just mirrors that reality.