I often get annoyed with the sensationalism of stories. I get overwhelmed by the way news people harp on a subject day in and day out, beating us up with information that isn’t really “new” or “news.” I especially get irritated when the word “tragedy” is used to describe something that has happened to someone who was doing something they wanted or loved to do, just because it results in their death. In those cases, I feel as though “sad” or “disheartening” are appropriate ways to describe their actions and their death.
Right now, there is a REAL tragedy happening. All across the Gulf, wildlife is being destroyed by the thousands of gallons of oil that are being spilled into the beautiful deep blue green waters many of us have come to know and love. All along the coastline, the soft sugar white sand of our beaches is being coated in an ugly brown, slimy substance. Our wildlife preserves are being destroyed.
Seeing the photos brings a catch to my breath, tears to my eyes. Hearing the stories of those who are trying to rescue every living being possible is enough to send a person into a coma-like depression.
And yet … I rarely hear the word “tragedy” in reference to this disaster. Yes, it is a man-made disaster. Yes, humans are suffering too - our livelihoods are threatened, even more so since the economy had already reduced tourism and small businesses drastically. But it is not for the human race I feel the most sympathy. I feel for the furry, feathery, scaly races. The self-housed, flying, crawling folk. The floating, swimming, burrowing kind. The ones who did not choose, and could not prevent, the oil rig.
The damage that has, is, and will be done to the Gulf, the coastlines, and the beautiful gifts Nature bestowed upon us is tragic.
I had hoped to see big names raising arms in outcry, pulling together to raise money with benefits, and digging in to “git-r-done” (as Larry the Cable Guy would say). I had hoped to see news stories on what could be DONE, how everyone across the nation (and the world) could HELP, and where people could go to AID.
Instead, the focus is on who is to blame, what has been tried, and what isn’t possible. I heard there was a telethon on Larry King Live (I’m unsure - I tried to record it, since I wasn’t home but all I got was a talk show). That’s great. It aired on ONE channel - at least, that’s the only channel I saw the description pop up. What happened to interrupting Primetime TV to bring people together across the nation (and world)? What happened to UNITED?
I’ve done what I can from where I sit in my place in life - which, admittedly, isn’t nearly as much as I’d like. I know others who have done the same. I can only hope that our combined efforts will save some small part of our paradise …
