[weegee]

I haven't deliberately held such conversations so I would be overheard but I have discussed such matters with my dad at restaurants over lunch. He listens to some talk radio but still gets the local daily rag (even though he is angered by the bias nationally and locally) and still watches the morning and evening news. Old habits are hard to break (and he does not want to use a computer).

Ray Bradbury told me years ago that there was little to be learned from such programs. He questioned putting yourself though that awful experience every night (being subjected to random stories about murdering ex-lovers, car accidents, warehouse fires, and the short sound bites and biased presentation of the "day's events"). I did not know his politics at the time. It seems even more understandable in light of his conservatism/libertarianism. Ray did have a soft spot for some of the PBS news programs (McNeil/Laher and Wall Street Week type discussions; my dad has also watched these for decades although I never have gravitated to them).

I do watch the local Fox affiliate's newscast on some nights (it is an hour long broadcast, with about a third of that being sports and entertainment). It suffers from some of the same flaws as all of the other broadcasts. I read a lot of news articles on FR, hear about some events on the radio (top of the hour newsbreaks and talk radio topics), etc. but every now and then I like to see some footage of an event.

I only tune into the alphabet networks to see how they attempt to spin/cover a news item. I already know more about the subject (or at least where to go for better info) than they will ever give me in their 5 minute or less presentations.

[Socratic]

Thanks for expounding at some length. I liked that about conversations in restaurants. People should hear their fellow citizens discussing politics like they once did in this country. Not arguing, nor protesting but just discussing the issues of the day which have an impact on the whole nation. America's posterity depends on the decisions which we make now.

[Socratic]

Oh, I forgot to add. I find it interesting that you have talked to Ray Bradbury in person. It's always a pleasure to meet people with extrodinary talents.