Our readers write: Issue of Aug. 25, 2016
Media blamed: Part 1
This is regarding the Aug. 11 Dick Lyles column, “Our nation’s self-image is tarnished,” asserting that diminished American patriotism is behind decreased TV viewership of the Rio Olympics.
The media build up to this Olympics has been uncommonly negative, with emphasis on the Zika virus, problems with infrastructure, urban crime, terrorist threats and assertions that the best athletes are sitting this one out. With this buildup, I expected a flop.
We have been watching every evening. Instead of a flop, I am seeing an exciting competition. There are fresh faces, as well as returning champions. The décor is colorful. The travelogues on Rio de Janeiro are interesting.
The media is once again shaping opinion rather than reporting facts. The American essayist H.L. Mencken wrote, “The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” Substitute “media” for “politics” and I think you have your explanation.
Ann Tipps
Poway
Media blamed: Part 2
The losses and injuries caused by terrorists are inflicting much pain on individuals, but statistically they really are not significant. National grief and anger is widened by massive response in media, which plays right into the hands of the terrorist. By excessive attention to an event we give the terrorist exactly what he wants.
Another aspect to be considered is that the terrorist actually becomes an ally to those who thrive on demagoguery and hate-preaching. In defending ourselves against infiltration from abroad, we should not fool ourselves in thinking that evil persons can simply be detected by some sort of testing at entry to the U.S. We should learn from the Israelis, who are doing a great job in playing down any events and preventing more by the much-despised gathering of intelligence.
Fritz Woeller
Rancho Bernardo
Reader disappointed
One cannot imagine my excitement when I read the title of Mr. Lyles’ column; “Our nation’s self-image is tarnished.” I thought he finally saw the light regarding Donald J. Trump.
I was so disappointed to read a story about the Olympics.
Jim Lawler
Poway
Registry for arsonists?
With wild fires - often intentionally set - becoming a year-round threat in California, I was pleased to see that an arsonist had been caught and convicted. I hope he’ll be put away for a long time.
But, why is there not a registry for arsonists like there is for sex offenders? In my opinion, arsonists harm more people than sex offenders and communities should be protected from these habitual criminals by making them aware of their presence once released from prison.
Gisela Koestner
Poway