I don’t bother with the news
on television, where heads talk over
each other, no one listening nor
changing minds. A platform for despicable people
to “both sides” an issue, even
those where merit, truth, meaning dissolve
into deafening static, noise for its own sake.
I thought this would have changed
after 2016, this desire
to give equal time to unequal opinions, equal
time to lies.
So many other things have devolved
unequivocally. This morning a government official
said on camera the Statue of Liberty, a monument
who welcomes immigrants to the American Dream
should only invite
people who can stand on their own
two feet. My ancestors invaded before
her flame was lit, conquerors but white. Of course
that matters, giving rise to, supporting, and benefiting
from a system designed to burn, a fire warming some,
destroying others. From the ashes, civilization
more equal, but tilted still, for some.
Perhaps rather than change we have reached the end,
brought now through years of complacency
or compliance, distracting us as we change
the channel.
(c) 2019 by Phillip Knight Scott
Written in response to the Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Televised prompt.
Often Mumbled Musings 
“A fire warming some, destroying others.” This morning i saw an image of the Statue of Liberty with her head in her hands. She weeps. A wonderfully astute poem.
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Unfortunately that’s an apt image. Thanks for the comment!
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The only answer is to stop watching TV. Alas, we have become addicted to our 24/7 news. We just have to watch.
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that’s the rub, isn’t it?
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For some people. I’d rather watch meteor showers
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So I saw! That’s a healthier choice.
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Yes it is
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A thoughtful write. I still watch the news sometimes, but have recently ceased viewing a number of current affairs programs.
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I watch it more than I’d like to … I’m torn.
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I am too.
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Horrible things are happening & so they are served with the thought of Television Rating Point. Helpless watchers are caught in the trap. “a fire warming some, / destroying others.”—fulcrum point of the poem.
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Very true!
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Any program on TV, the news included (as are the adverts) are designed to maintain your interest so you continue watching that channel. I can remember in Britain the one TV channel used to show goldfish in bowls or other similar nonsense clips as fill ins between scheduled programs just to keep the viewer watching and not turning the TV off!
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Just a bunch of talking heads that spout whatever opinions will get the best ratings or incite the most response. And it seems we never learn. You can change the channel but you can’t change minds. Best to just turn it off completely.
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Very well said!
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Turn a deaf ear to all the news channels. Feels like we are stuck in the mud and cannot get out.
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