CNN picks up on HP "Thug Day"
Looks like Cable News Network spent some time in Highland Park today taping a story on the high school's "Thug Day" incident. (See post below for details.)
And "Dr. March" emailed me this morning. He thanked me for the post (again, see below) and invited me to lunch. I tell you, the man is a prince.
posted by writer @ 8:39 PM
21 Comments:
Well, that's the type of sensationalism that would interest a third rate news service.
Next up on CNN *gasp* teenagers are having sex!!!
What has happened to journalism? Jim Lehrer is about the only legitimate reporter left in the world. The remainder is all makeovers, plastic surgery and home improvement tips. That and teemagers acting goofy and being inappropriate. Shocking.
When did news become more about emotion than facts? My guess is it was right about the time Katie Couric went on the air.
When FOX News (their motto is "Fairly Unbalanced") comes to cover this, Bill O'Reilly will ask, er SHOUT:
SO, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE MEXICANS ARE HERE ILLEGALLY ANYWAY. I HAVE TO TAKE ISSUE WITH THE GUY WHO BROUGHT THE LEAF BLOWER; EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT NO PARK CITIES FAMILY OWNS A LEAF BLOWER. WHERE'D HE GET THAT? DID HE STEAL IF FROM ONE OF THE ILLEGAL MEXICANS, WHO STOLE IT FROM A WHITE FAMILY IN GARLAND?
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Dear anonymous above,
Would you please elaborate on your comment?
"IN MY ONGOING QUEST TO CALL OUT MS. LINER'S CAST OF CHARACTERS"
Forgive me, for I am stupid, I just don't get it...
Thank you.
I agree with the first poster that the media is milking this story for all its worth -- although, how can you blame them? The whole thing came pre-made with all the elements of good conflict.
But to respond to the claims about sensationalism and the question, "What happened to journalism?", I have an observation. The poster mentions only television in his or her complaint. (As a sidenote, when did anybody ever consider Katie Couric a journalist?)
I'd be worried about journalism too if TV were the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about the media.
Okay, I teach Spanish, and have a LOT of contact with Hispanic people. They aren't all thieves, just like all of us white folks aren't all bankers and lawyers. Yes, lawncare jobs tend to be held by Hispanic people, but have you looked around at their yardwork? It's pretty fantastic. In fact, it looks like someone has been out there with tweezers and cuticle nippers, painstakingly cutting the grass blade by blade.
Of course a major network picked up on this story-- it's got rich people, racism, and school/teachers involved. That's gold!
Anonymous: please quit typing in all caps. You may be screaming, but unless you're a Marine, you aren't screaming entire sentences.
I love doing yard work. I even do my next door neighbors yard -- for free! I find it therapeutic. I really enjoy all aspects of the process. You know, wearing shabby clothes, getting dirty and all that other fun stuff.
I perform said yard work during normal business hours. People driving through my neighborhood observe me and I am pretty certain assume I am the "yard man".
Got a visual yet? Well, I am young, white, rich (multi-millions) good looking and have a beautiful wife. The money I possess was and is hard earned if that makes any difference.
Point being, be careful about stereotypes -- you just never know...
First poster here - I certainly didn't intend to refer to Katie Couric as a journalist, far from it. I simply stated that the NEWS went from fact reporting to plucking emotional strings about the same time that mush brain went on the air.
Since the original blog post was about CNN, television was implied.
Sure, you can argue it is sad that people don't read newspapers any longer, and you'd be right. But there were also some fine raincoated television reporter sleuths once upon a time.
No longer, now we've got Al Roker flapping his arms like an idiot in the middle of a hurricane he flew a thousand miles to get to.
Next on CNN - Avian Flu and your Thanksgiving turkey - EVERYBODY PANIC!!!
PHANTOM PROF:
okay, so maybe this isn't too much your type of stuff, but what do you think about the city-wide "ditch day" for high schoolers (in los angeles) and was supposed to happen today? (nov 2)
most people from my school didn't go, 'cuz everyone was gethering in downtown LA and we're in the valley (think about 45-60 minutes away, but still in our ugly, perpetually smoggy city), but did you hear anything about it?
i think it was supposed to protest bush or whatever...
On Katie Couric: Did you see the off-the-cuff interview she did with George H. Bush when he was in the White House? She was there doing some piece about Barbra Bush. The President came out just to say hi and she improvised on some pretty unexpected, tough questions. He did not expect that kind of ambition or talent from a young woman. Apparently, neither would many of you.
On HP "Thug Day": How is the media failing to report real news by looking into how racial stereotypes are perpetuated in American society? With the passing of Rosa Parks this week, isn't is appropriate to consider our contemporary attitudes toward race in America?
Dear Phantom Prof:
Thank you for "fighting" this good "fight." I was born in Dallas, and while I could not bear to lift my head there now, it gives me some solace a soul like yours is making the city a better place.
(*'High school kids were jerks,' film at 11. I mean, to the extent it's a fight.)
I've actually heard of Rick Halperin. He maintains a lot of online information about the death penalty.
What's worse than stereotypes? And why if CNN want's a story? The media and bloggers should stop commenting and paying more attention to what is actually going on.
Phantom P., thanks for your concern and keep unwinding the regards.
If Dr. Halperin doesn't mind my writing about him, I don't think he'd mind being "outed." He's one of the most admired and dedicated profs I've ever met or been taught by.
So whatever your little campaign is (poster above), go for it.
To borrow a phrase from Al Franken, I write "the truth with jokes."
Some people don't get it. Some don't like it. But that isn't stopping me.
I can't help but keep thanking you Prof for this blog. It is so refreshing to be able to observe freedom of speech.
Blog on, "through the fog."
Katie Couric and talent in the same sentence? Puh-lease.
If that's the best our gender has to offer then sign me up for a sex change. She's nothing short of humiliating.
Professor,
did you check out the cover story of this week's Dallas Observer?
It might interest you.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/
ROFL, i go to Highland Park High and i find this whole fiasco is quite humerous myself. seriously, the surrounding highschools like richardson and oak cliff have a "highland park day" to mock the uppity country-club lifestyle that we represent. So who's to get upset when one of our 7 black students voulentarily dresses in handcuffs and an orange prison suit? not me, i dressed in my G-Unit apparel, "blinged" from head to toe. I am personally disgusted with the double standard in the issue of "racism" as it is adressed. and by the way, "thug day" has been going on for years, we didnt secretly sanction this day to mock rosa park's death. If there is any issue of racism to be concerned about, it is the anti-anglo racism that is shoved down our throats by the liberal media and educators of today. Let me go throw up.
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