by MISSY COMLEY BEATTIE
Why do I laugh when a major newspaper’s headline is about Eric Massa’s “groping” history? That his staff was uncomfortable with his tickling routines? I guess because I’m reminded of all those Saturday Night Live noogies. Of course, those were skits. But, then, so are these, some among many in today’s political theatre. The Massa example, though, reeks of immaturity—the overly friendly behavior, touching in all the wrong places, is conduct that makes people skittish. And sickish.
Yes, I laugh but, then, so soon, I feel like crying.
Because the salacious is considered headline material or breaking news in our country, today.
Why no large type about the growing numbers of military suicides, of troop deaths? Or that more and more troops who’ve had multiple deployments are unfit for service? Post-traumatic stress disorder is, well, very seldom stressed in our disordered world.
Why no photographs of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s parentless, limbless children whose lives have been forever shattered by our smart bombs?
Counterpunch for more
(Submitted by Ingrid B. Mork)