News That's News
May 29, 2007
How many times are we going to turn on the news and have to listen to the Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton train wreck stories? Hollywood and our media have a lot more important things to say and do and tell than to cover such paparazzi-pandering voyeurism.
Being a parent of three children I am very aware that teenagers run into drug and alcohol problems. I have had to put my foot down with all three of my kids who had to experience outdoor programs, boarding schools and inpatient programs so that they could learn how to be strong in themselves and not follow the pack or the so called “crowd.” It was my job, (and a not so popular campaign in my home) to yank on the kid’s strings when they started making poor choices.
Is it any wonder why it is really difficult for this generation to make good choices when their role models are the likes of the two mentioned above? We sit back and do nothing while the media publicizes and idolizes bad behavior. All of the other kids in America are expected to play by the rules and make good choices in life. But you tell me where is the media coverage on the kids who stand out because of their admirable accomplishments?
Lindsay, Paris or anyone else who thinks they are above the law because they are famous or because their parents are rich should not get any favors. I hope they do the time, get the help that they need and start making better choices!
The media needs to take a good look at some of the stories they are covering and consider why so much attention is paid to them.
The issues that surround us are critical to the future of our country. Our educational system is terrible. Forget no child left behind. They are all getting left behind. Our health care system is laughable. Our environment has gone to the toilet. Jobs are in short supply. There is an epidemic drug problem in this country.
And what are we going to do about the WAR?
All of these issues affect the health and safety of all Americans.
This is important. Not the minutia of Paris and Lindsey's foolish life choices.
If the media showed us just how bad things are and did not sugar coat it, then people– parents, students and government–could focusing on how to change these things. It's certainly a better use of time than watching what the hell Lindsay and Paris are doing. Then maybe we could affect some change.
I congratulate media when they step up to the plate and tell the unpopular stories.
For example, CBS2 news in Sayreville, New Jersey just ran a story about a site that we have been looking at regarding the air pollution and the numerous cancers and issues in this community living close to a DuPont and Hercules chemical plant. Because of this story, the community has become aware and is now banning together, talking and wanting to do something about the problem.
And it's a big problem. For the past fourteen years, this community has had over THREE MILLION pounds of carcinogenic chemicals released into the air of which over 500,000 LBS. are actual fugitive emissions.
How many of these types of facilities are there throughout the US? What if only a few have same problem? What if there are thousands of these businesses–large and small–spewing out various degrees of fugitive emissions under the radar?
You do the math.
Tell me you don’t believe in Global Warming.
Tell me why we see so many cancers.
What is bothersome is that these statistics were taken from the US EPA website. The figures from these facilities are not available for 2006 and 2007 Industry is two years behind in reporting.
What is going on? Why do we set all the rules and regulations and then do nothing to enforce them? Is it because no one is talking about them? How about we start covering human issues and stories that AFFECT us.
If the tide doesn't turn, then we have to turn it ourselves.
Let’s get people involved again and not sweep things under the rug. Let's not pay so much attention to things that don’t really matter and certainly don’t help others. Let’s get back to the news, back to the people and back to America.
Currently, I am the President of the consulting firm, Brockovich Research & Consulting, where I am involved in numerous major environmental cases 
