Has anyone else noticed that MSNBC seems to have permanently installed a banner across the bottom of the broadcast screen reading “BREAKING NEWS” or “BREAKING STORY?” For three days the “Breaking” news was that the presidental race was too close to call. You don’t say?!?!
Now, for several days, the “breaking” newstory (hot off the teletype apparently) is that there is a recount in Florida! Bush still leads though.
I think the reason I’m so irritated is that for the first 48 hours or so that I actually gave a rat’s ass about this election mess, I would be flipping channels and I’d get taken in by it. I must have fallen for the “BREAKING NEWS!!!” thing a half-dozen times. Slow learner.
I probably just answered my own question about why they keep the banner. Now that I’ve wised up, though, am I allowed to mock them?
My fav has been CNN “breaking in” on interview with one partisan asshole, to listen to an opposing partisan asshole, both of whom are restating the same shit I’ve been hearing all week!
Oh! My fave is ABCnews using George Steffanopolus as a commentator. He’s still as partisan as the rest, he just has a national network seat to apologise and explain the Clintion admistration from.
Oh, and nightline last night… Damn. I’ve never seen so many people go to such great lengths to reassure everyone that old algore still has a chance. I don’t know if they actually want him in office, or are just doing it to keep everyones attention and fake the excitement level.
I actually hit mute, or otherwise avoid all election BS now. Thankfully, our local stations have moved it to the second tier stories, right after the first commercial break.
I have been glued to CNN for the past several days. If anything can be considered breaking news, this can.
Every two hours or so, there is a major decision or statement of a court or official which changes the status of the whole issue.
As far as news items demanding round-the-clock saturation coverage, this Presidential election dispute is probably the only story deserving of this type of coverage in the past 20 years.
Well, no. Hence the question “do you know the meaning of…?” Breaking news is - Something is happening RIGHT NOW that we have to tell you about. It’s breaking. Like Gore is right this second conceding.
Updating the ungoing process regarding who will be President is important. Very important. But so far nothing has broken.
Times have changed
Bill’s packing up his stuff
It’s gonna be Al or Georgie Pie
But two counts isn’t enough
Should we blame the Constitution
For the dumb Electoral C.?
Or should we blame the idiots on TV?
No!
Blame Florida! Blame Florida!
The goddamned voting machines went snap
And now we’re shoulder-deep in crap
Blame Florida! Blame Florida!
For screwing up the whole damned vote, we’re all in the same boat!
Don’t blame George for this constitutional scare
It’s got more to do with voters with hearing aids and big blue hair
And trusty old Al and the Dems want a fair shake
But Florida’s screwups just about take the cake
Well?
Blame Florida! Blame Florida!
We don’t know the people’s will
And it makes America ill
Blame Florida! Blame Florida!
Just how hard is it to count votes anyway?
The butterfly ballot was a little confusing, it is true
You’d almost have to have a room temperature I.Q.
Well, George has won it twice, but Al wants a third look
And it’s the other 49 states that are goona get rooked!
Yes!
Blame Florida! Blame Florida!
Everywhere else it went fairly well
But the old folks blew it to hell
Blame Florida! Shame on Florida! For…
The West Palm Beach mess
The lame partisan-ness
The ballot distress
And Kathy Harris
We must blame their voters, or else you see
There won’t be a Prez until 2003!!!
