Dirty Hands

No, this is not about crime or perversity, but about actual dirty hands.  The kind you get from newsprint, especially when you’re sweating on a subway train.  I don’t expect my readers to be familiar with subway trains—but sadly, too many people are not familiar with newsprint either. 

Growing up, my family regularly read the New York Post since it was news “light” (or at least lighter than the New York Times).  There was also the Daily News, the Daily Mirror, the Brooklyn Eagle and probably a few others that I don’t recall.  The Daily News was the “yellow” journal, the others closed up shop a long time ago.  Due to my parent’s political persuasion, The Daily Worker was also frequently found in my home.  In college I read the NY Times frequently, especially on the subway and liked to try to do the crossword puzzle.  These days, the NY Post and the Daily News are indistinguishable, so that leaves the Times for the city newspaper reading populace. 

Of course, very few people actually buy and read newspapers any more, preferring the speed and news bytes available on line (which resemble both the Daily News and the NY Post).  Some rely on Facebook and Twitter or People Magazine.  With those sources it seems like the most important news of the day relates to Kardashians, Bachelors and Bachelorettes and cat videos.  Personally, I find the most reliable actual news, with no access to the New York Times, to be on NPR.  A close second to that is Jon Stewart; although technically he is a comedian, he presents his humorous takes on actual news events. 

I could get philosophical here and talk about what is actual news and what is reality.  I would agree that perception can vary widely as everyone interprets “facts” to suit themselves.  It’s kind of like the “Blind Men and the Elephant”* which would lead to the assumption, which I heartily endorse, that those who report news are lacking in some basic sensory skills (if in doubt, tune in to FOX news any day of the week). 

For sanity’s sake, I believe in an objective reality, things either happen or they don’t.  I believe wars, climate change, crooked politicians, racism and poor and unavailable health care are current realities. I believe there are people who would rather lie about the realities than make things better and are generally motivated by self-interest rather than the greater good.  I believe people use religion for the same selfish motives.  I also believe that I will not get this information from local news sources so I will continue to endeavor to piece it together using my own brain and available resources. 

I am not naïve enough to believe that any of this will change or we will go back to a time of intrepid truth-seeking reporters and editors with integrity.  I personally know of two newly minted reporters who have that potential and I wish them the best and hope they prevail.  For the rest of us:  occasionally get your hands dirty and always check Snopes.com.

                                             

* Blind Men and the Elephant John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)

It was six men of Indostan

 To learning much inclined,

 Who went to see the Elephant

 (Though all of them were blind),

 That each by observation

 Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,

 And happening to fall

 Against his broad and sturdy side,

 At once began to bawl:

 "God bless me! but the Elephant

 Is very like a WALL!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,

 Cried, "Ho, what have we here,

 So very round and smooth and sharp?

 To me 'tis mighty clear

 This wonder of an Elephant

 Is very like a SPEAR!"

The Third approached the animal,

 And happening to take

 The squirming trunk within his hands,

 Thus boldly up and spake:

 "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant

 Is very like a SNAKE!"

 The Fourth reached out an eager hand,

 And felt about the knee

 "What most this wondrous beast is like

 Is mighty plain," quoth he:

 "'Tis clear enough the Elephant

 Is very like a TREE!"

 The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,

 Said: "E'en the blindest man

 Can tell what this resembles most;

 Deny the fact who can,

 This marvel of an Elephant

 Is very like a FAN!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun

 About the beast to grope,

 Than seizing on the swinging tail

 That fell within his scope,

 "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant

 Is very like a ROPE!"

 And so these men of Indostan

 Disputed loud and long,

 Each in his own opinion

 Exceeding stiff and strong,

 Though each was partly in the right,

 And all were in the wrong!