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Today, Americans are engrossed in earthquake coverage. The tremor in Haiti bought unimaginable death and destruction just south of our borders. Events related to the recovery and rescues emerge as banner headlines. Haitians Seek Solace Amid the Ruins. For a week now, the struggle to survive, revive the injured, and retrieve the bodies strewn on the streets of Port-au-Prince was also the central theme of most every broadcast. In the midst of the misery, many Americans, felt desperate for a reprieve from the devastation that emotionally drained them. Millions took time to escape in a welcome distraction. Sassy, former Governor and Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin Made Her Debut appearance on Fox. Tomorrow another reality will replace these stories, just as each superseded the hoopla over Harry Reid's reference to race. Metaphorically, the tales provide persons, policies, and, or practices fifteen minutes of fame. In actuality, these fade from our mind quickly.

One narrative can and will replace another instantaneously. Americans need only an inspiration, a titillation, a temptation, or a tease to turn their thoughts from one subject to another. Over the next months and years, a myriad of yarns will receive quick and ample consideration. Populist positions, presented with flare could captivate the country again and then again.

A prominent person fallen from grace might be the nation's next amusement. A young boy, or girl, might seem to be in imminent danger. Another sexy blonde accompanied by her husband could crash the White House gates. People want "the dirt," that is, as long as it is not toxic waste, or pollution news.

This truth is not lost on regular people, politicians, or the President. Any or each of these individuals might use this "reality" to their advantage.

Mister Obama might, once again, plan to further his own fifteen minutes of renown. On an issue as important as environmental imbalance, the nation's Chief Executive did just that. Mister Obama scheduled "about nine hours" to actively engage in climate change policy negotiations. This might be considered a colossal amount of time. After all, President Obama is, as many Americans are, busy.


Scientists who study climate change would want to be amongst those who roust the people. Their research, while they believe it to be racy, for most is nothing but mundane.

The fact is most environmental research is, in reality, mundane. On Monday, it is snowy. Tuesday brings rain. Wednesday will be sunny. "Wait five minutes and the weather will change." What appears outside the window is merely a matter of natural conditions. Excitement lies elsewhere. Enter animated images that move quickly across the screen.


Exit purported facts and figures. Data does not deliver delightful moments. Decoration, declarations, drama, any distraction, these are the diversions the Western Press provides, and the people demand.


Possibly, that is why most of us missed previous reports. In September 1998, headlines heralded, what we experience in modern times is the Fastest mass extinction in Earth history. While fascinating, this discovery was nowhere near as delicious as Bill Clinton's testimony about his relationship with a young female assistant. That little tidbit could easily occupy more than the measured fifteen minutes.


Months earlier, the esteemed Washington Post, also examined the issue. Mass Extinction Underway, Majority of Biologists Say. However, for most humans, that morsel was nothing in contrast to the news that a Conservative Group Buys Reagan Ranch.


That the research reveals humans may be the reason for this horrific destruction is means nothing to these people, since our day of doom cannot be foreseen in the visible future. The 680-acre Reagan spread being bought by Young America's Foundation, a 29-year-old group that teaches patriotism, limited government, and other values espoused by the former President, surely that will have an affect on all of society.

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I am an Educator, a student of life; I am an Author. On each path I learn from you and with you. Indeed. we all teach and study. Together we advance awareness and acumen. We learn, grow, and glow greater. Please peruse my prose at BeThink.org and (more...)
 
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