Writings: Hey, on TV last night, did you see…..

I read the news today, oh boy….

Over the past week, I have continued my long-time thing of not having a television. Now, the interesting thing about not having a television is the great number of well-meaning friends who ask me, “Wow! How would you know if something important happens? What if they shot the president? Or war broke out? Or there was a cure for cancer? Or something?”

While I appreciate their concern, I can assure you I was filled in about all the details of what happened when President Reagan was shot in 1981, when the invasion of Iraq began in 1991 ( and the other time), and that when I visit my pals who have cancer, they keep me posted about whether there’s a cure for what they have. They would be the first to let me know.

A cure for what they have…maybe that’s what I hope for, for my brothers & sisters all over the US & Canada who watch lots of tv. What do they have?

Lots of fear about the way the world works.

Lots of opinions about problems, while missing many of the details related to the problems.

A sense that “entertainment” includes an awful lot of people pushing for  happiness, usually from “looking good,” buying stuff, and getting into the perfect relationship.

Traffic reports.

A sense that the government has control of things.

A certain certitude that you need power (and guns) and strength to solve problems and protect yourself from all this stuff.

Wow. Well, I don’t believe I’m missing out on much, really.

It feels like it makes tonnes more sense to discuss how to get a few more years out of our car with my son than to buy a new one (I’ve never seen a tv commercial with tips for making your car last longer). Or to sew up the gently used or maybe well-worn clothes you have, instead of buying new clothes; or worse, buying new stuff because it’s the latest “fashion.” And the worst: To watch so-called nature shows, instead of getting outside to walk in the park, hike on the trail, or go along the beach.

And…as for the things I don’t know because I don’t lock in on the CNN/Fox/ABC/CBS/NBC version of the world…what about the things they don’t have a clue of? The things about which they say, “That’s not news!”

About a quarter of the food in the USA is wasted each day, much of it simply thrown away. That, of course, is not news. It’s just leftover pizza & food that’s past its expiration date.

Some 25,000 to 27,000 people die every day from starvation, according to the UN. That’s not news.

That for every car wreck reported by the reporters, there are 150 million car drivers who didn’t hit anybody, and actually made sure they were careful. Not news, hey…

That millions of people are doing millions of little things to make the lives of people in their tribe a little better. There’s more power for change there, than in all the tanks & guns & missiles in the world.

That way more people are getting well, than are getting sick. And helping each other get well.

And…that the air outside needs to be breathed.

So, thanks for your concern about the television thing, but I think I’m doing all right.

And…if you were my kid, I’d give you a hug & see if you would come outside & play with me. Hope so.

Then we can make up our own, real stories.

Loving you today,

Brother Ian