Reading up on current events online a couple of weekends ago, I came across a striking picture depicting a two U.S. soldiers in Mosul, Iraq. What really caught my attention was an M16 rifle lying in the forefront of the picture in the sand. Although a soldier may not wear body armor or a helmet or carry a gas mask for certain missions, nearly nothing will persuade him to leave his personal weapon. This lone rifle lying in the sand immediately gave me the premonition that something terrible had happened, and reading the caption accompanying the picture confirmed this.
I scanned the article, said a prayer and decided to see what had happened in this week in photos since it was so conveniently placed on a sidebar.
My thoughts and desire for pertinent world news came in immediate contact with images of Britney Spears' misshapen skull from her newest cry for help, a shaved head.
Disgusted by this I turned on the television and surfed through my "trusted" news networks, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, only to be assaulted by similar worthless news.
"Might as well do something productive today," thought I, "I'll go grocery shopping." While standing in line at Meijer juggling a case of beer, a bag of tortilla chips, hot dogs and my vegetable of choice, salsa, I begin to peruse the fine selection of magazines offered by my chosen retailer.
I learned a lot in those few minutes.
Anna Nicole Smith's child's involvement in a virtual tug of war over who the father is has made me decide to throw my hat in the ring, and I will be filing the proper paperwork to make my rightful claim.
The Jen, Brad and Angelina love triangle - with Vince thrown in for flavor - is heating up and getting exciting again.
Hitler, Stalin, Elvis and Satan are coming back to tour with the Pussycat dolls in the former Eastern Blok countries.
I felt worthless, guilty and silly reading these headlines, but my attempt to find any newsworthy reading material was fruitless. Asking the cashier where I might find such reading material earned me a twenty-second blank stare and a hesitant response that they might be found in the magazine section, tucked in the back of the store.
My initial assessment was to blame Meijer, but they are just a business selling a product and real news does not sell.
This was followed quickly by blaming the media, but again, they are there selling a product.
I finally thought of the real group responsible for this media disaster - you and me.
When I mentioned Jen, Brad and Angelina there was no doubt that I was talking about Aniston, Pitt and Jolie, respectively.
If I mention General David Petraeus I had also better inform you that he is the commander of Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I), overseeing all U.S. forces in Iraq.
If I mention Darfur's ongoing conflict I had better have a map of Africa.
If I mention John McCain's political views ... well, you're off the hook there; I don't think he even knows.
Entertainment is supposed to be a passing distraction from the real world, not the other way around. We get so wrapped up in the lives of these people that are so far removed from the typical person's life that we place the real issues confronting us on the back burner.
It is disheartening that the things that seem important seem to be the most unimportant things happening.
As a veteran, I am aware of my tendency to be greatly concerned with the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am also aware of other incidents happening around the nation and globe, but I am only one person. All of us need to do the best we can and get interested in something important and express some concern to each other in any way we feel comfortable.
Write to Jason at jlhodson@bsu.edu
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