If I were to say I have been a fan of Ted Kennedy for as long as I can remember so I am anxious to purchase and read True Compass: A Memoir, that would be an honest statement. I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. I am anxious to read the book, and the book is available.
If I added a link to a particular bookseller, you might question my motives. Do I have an interest in that bookseller? Will I profit in any way? Am I trying to be friendly or do I think you are not capable of finding the book on your own? Was I too lazy to list choices?
Since I admit that I have not read the book, you would be wise to wonder why I make this statement instead of reading the book first and including a review. Do I really intend to read this book? Do I want to earn Gather points by posting multiple articles about this book? Do I know how to write a review?
If I were to remind you that Ted Kennedy died recently and recount the number of tears I cried as a result, to make sure you know how devastating that loss is to me, I would be sensationalizing and capitalizing on his death since I might make a nickel in Gather points or win some sympathy for me. That would be tacky journalism, if it qualified as journalism at all.
But it could get worse. I could dig my hole straight past tacky and well into revolting by telling you that I know in my heart Ted Kennedy wanted me to read this book, and that I am positive he would be smiling down from heaven if he saw me recommending it to you. That would be sensationalism at its worst and would, in no way, qualify as true journalism – despite my psychic claim. It could only be worse if I continued to post multiple articles about Ted Kennedy’s death as long as they generated points.
I’m happy to have cleared this up, just in case you were wondering about my thoughts on the difference between journalism and sensationalism. I see many other examples of sensationalism daily. Feel free to list the ones that drive you crazy as a comment.
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Comments: 48
Now what on earth do we call those professionally printed signs carried by the tea baggin party morons, incapable of such thought, that said, bury health care with kennedy, actually, something similar I am not willing to print.
And those people, shown lauging in one video interview about how the Kennedy family might feel,
Yuk, yuk yaw hee hee haw, knee slapping, back slapping, so proud of themselves.
Ok, I will focus on your message, well written, and thank you,
I think we are so overly accustomed to this that we aren't paying attention to the levels.
If reading that article, I would have clicked --exit--/close-- at the mention of where to purchase/link.
(There are several messages in this. I hate sensationalism in the media, and also on Gather.)
We can only do what we can do to be able to face ourselves in the mirror. I imagine Teddy's problems caused his mirror to reflect a gauzy reflection but he had to face that mirror everyday of his life. And even though he was surrounded by a large family his pain remained his alone.
I have no doubt that Ted Kennedy more than made up for his mistakes. I wish everyone could have half his character.
Looking forward to hearing how you like the book.
Doesn't that take the fun out of it?
Like Sara said, most of what I see on the TV passing for news is nothing more than sensationalism. It's interesting to see what various news stations put forth as "leading stories" and how it varies from city to city.
It's more annoying (but still interesting) to see how one news program chooses to emphasize certain negative aspects (e.g. fear mongering) of a situation than others.
News in Pittsburgh this week would be a very, very good example with the G20. I got my first "try to scare you half to death" email yesterday ... expect protesters to stop a car in the middle of a tunnel, flatten the tires and set it on fire. The email implied it might be YOUR car. They said they will come into all our local Giant Eagle stores with gas masks on and set off stink bombs and start fires various places. All I have to say is that if I see a person walk into Giant Eagle with a gas mask, I'm gonna tackle the sucker and rip his/her mask off. Then you all will be reading about ME! LOL!
I think the Kennedy's are a remarkable family and they have endured so many hardships, with all the good, there came so much tragedy. So many smiles, so many tears......
I believe everything in life balances so it isn't odd to me that they've had equal ups and downs in the family. I respect them for accepting it all as graciously as they do.
He further went on to PROVE that the event was indeed covered by CNN and showed many a CNN clip of them covering the FUX-sponsored event. Then he said FUX used a shot from CNN's tower in their ad. So there.
Hissy fit journalism. It works on Comedy Central, but not CNN.
Please forgive me for stepping on your article, but I just posted about one of the few , Fareed Zakaria.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977820046
killing pigs over swine flu
A right winger, defending Fox News, told me that if every fact was checked, we never would have caught Watergate. He went on to say that it is more important to be first than to be right.