REACTION!
When thing seem to be too quiet that’s the very time to ready yourself for special concerns.
And, fighting fire with fire is not recommended as a proper method to start with either. That demands, training, experience and a certain amount of daring-do and skulduggery.
I am constantly amazed at the extremes to which certain people will go to give expression to their inmost feelings. There can be worthy values in prompt response to evil but some such actions, taken to quickly, can be dangerous ...even fatal.
During our recent presidential election, we revived the use of terms dealing with moral values. Supporters of such standards are often called the “Morality Right” or some such name – often with tones of disrespect and ridicule . They are, or “we”, for I would, I think, be counted among them, have been – far too often – using a wrong approach to the evil.
Look at several such incidents which we have recently had to face.
When Nicolette -whatever-her-name was – just a week or so ago did a nude towel drop routine on a one minute promotional announcement prior to the Monday Night Football Game it was likened to the end of the known world by some skittish critics. The producers of that promo spot knew exactly what they felt item would accomplish – enhance potential sports-minded viewers – not all male in modern times.
Another incident was also in the the TV sports area, too. That’s where the main TV money happens to be right now, and it gets special attention from all concerned. It had to do with the failure of a portion of Janet Jackson which, by falling off when tugged instead of merely slipping a bit made Janet Jackson appear to have been barely chose as the titular head of the entire day’s sports activities.
Our presidential election presented several other incidents which excited protest from the Right and I cringe a bit when I think of the manner in which moist of them came to be answered. There were a few “Left” or “Liberal” slams, as well. Any of them, ignored, would have had far less affect!
When critics fly off the high-and-mighty handle too fast, it brings the incident to millions more viewers. The towel drop, for instance . went from one promo spot at nine in the east to hundreds of re-runs that night, the next morning and, well, it’s still being run daily to show that why it should not have been run at all. Literally millions of viewers who might not have seen it at all now have it memorized and some are wondering if we will see more such ad-ventures
I worked long enough on the other side of the fence in radio, TV and publishing to know listeners and viewers control what they see and hear is done by ignoring that which is bad and giving honest and persistent approval for that which strikes you as being good, proper and worthwhile.
Don't expect to change the world, either. Just a part of it – the part where we live. In truth, I feel. we are at the present time -out numbered. That's what we need to be working on.
A.L.M. November 2, 2004 [c547wds]
