Please forgive this short ranting post you are about to read. My next post for this afternoon will have a couple videos of the flooding in our backyard then I’ll get back to gardening but I wanted to say a few words about a subject that is really irritating me. The rant is below. It’s short, non-political, and I felt it was important to be said.
Also three places where you can help the victims of the Tennessee flood:
A Mini-Rant
I noticed that the national news media glaringly failed when it came to the flood. Very few stations decided to cover what can arguably be called one of the greatest national disasters in our country since Katrina. I’m not criticizing any station over the other (I do have to thank The Weather Channel for their coverage), nor do I feel slighted – in fact I’d rather TN stay out of the news, we’re much better off that way! What I am concerned about is that if no one knows about the flood Tennesseans can’t receive help. Tennesseans are independent, resilient, and are very good people who will rise up and get back on their feet again with or without help. Our nickname “The Volunteer State” didn’t happen by itself, Tennesseans are consistently helping others – it’s what we do here, but a little help from other areas of the country would expedite the recovery exponentially. What makes this disaster so bad is that this never happens here – Tennessee is not prone to flooding. People don’t have flood insurance because there has never been a need for it. Lives have been changed forever – their homes may be gone and never able to be replaced – unless they receive help. Maybe the media thinks “oh they can take care of themselves.” Go look at the webpages for CNN or Fox, neither one has a big front page article of our disaster or our recovery (as of the writing of this post). CNN has small link that says “Rains especially cruel in Tennessee”, duh – it’s about the third one down on the left side right now – you have to look for it. I can’t even find a story on the front page of Fox. The coverage has been abyssal for what actually has happened. I do have to say I’m very proud of our local news stations who have gone out of their way to give great coverage.
Think about this, the New York car bombing that failed killed no one and the bomber was arrested. The flood killed 18 people and displaced thousands from their homes. Billions of dollars have been lost to our economy which was already in bad shape. Home repairs and in some cases complete rebuilds are going to cost a fortune yet all the major news stations can talk about and analyze is one attempted and failed incident. Don’t get me wrong fighting terrorism is extremely important but in this case the news media has failed in their priorities. Does it have to happen in New York to get covered? Haiti received massive coverage, rightfully so, yet a natural disaster in our own country seems to have almost been ignored. How high does our death toll have to be for Tennesseans to be important? The oil spill that has been happening in the gulf is a terrible disaster too but really how much more is there to say about that when it’s been talked about round the clock since it happened? I don’t expect round the clock coverage but get the word out there that people need help! And do it more often than a side blurb that amounts to little more than a footnote. People are without homes, without clothes, and without food. After this post I won’t be ranting about the media and I’ll get back to gardening but I felt this was important to be said. Tennesseans could really use a hand right now and the more people who know that the more help they can receive. Please donate if you can to any one of the agencies I linked to above.
I don’t usually rant here. I don’t like the negativity that accompanies most rants. Especially when they are about good positive things like gardening, I mean really, why rant about gardening? It’s people’s lives that are important.
I'm with you on this, Dave. The fact that you don't rant drives home how deeply you feel about this, and actually reassures me. I thought I was overreacting, up here in my part of the world, because I hadn't seen much in the Canadian media about the Tennessee flooding. But then when I went to search news sites yesterday, I discovered that it didn't seem to be important to a lot of the mainstream US media either. I don't understand that at all. Here's hoping that people wake up and begin to help out with what IS a major disaster.
I totally agree with you. I noticed that it had taken a back seat. I know what you are going through. On the coast we have experienced the same thing. It is the most frustating thing to lose so much and is harder to replace. All of you are in my prayers. Thanks for the links. I'll be looking for your next post.
It's definitely been a historic thing these floods.
The media coverage has been abysmal. In all honesty, if I didn't listen to NPR, I'd have no idea that the floods were as bad as they were (and even NPR gave very little time to the floods compared to the NY attempt and the gulf oil spill).
I was very surprised to see this from you — you NEVER rant! So I know how important this is to you. I hope Tennessee starts getting some help soon (and I'm glad you and your family are all right!)
You have said it oh so well. Just last night I said almost those exact words to my DH. I could not believe that CNN kept going on and on about the Times Square incident, yet just an aside about the flooding in TN.
It was horrifying to see the # of trailers and cars trapped on highways.
The coverage has been severely lacking and I'm saddened that the death toll will go up, and that it's after the fact they may rush in to give an update.
Indeed, people are suffering now and need help now. Hope they put the word out there so the state and citizens can get much needed assistance.
I completely understand your frustration with the dissemination of information by the media.
Wishing you and all Tennesseans the best,
Anna
Well said, Dave, and your beautiful state will stay in our prayers.
I don't watch TV so was not aware of the poor TV coverage of what's happened in TN. I do listen to NPR and heard much about it there. But my husband works for the Red Cross and I've seen pictures they have posted. I also learned much from, of all places, facebook! It is unbelievable. Tragedy is compounded when the victims feel that they've been forgotten. My prayers are with everyone affected.
I am with you on this one . I have been making my own rants or so they seem to be getting as I keep coming across straight out misinformation and just ignorance. Many people across the US and beyond have no clue of what really happened or to be precise the magnitude of the event that took place.
CNN is finally reporting on the flood. Anderson Cooper admits that they haven't focused as much as we should have on the flood. Also says they were focusing on the bomber in New York and said "but that's no excuse." They will be shooting from Nashville tomorrow. Please watch and see what things look like.
Well said Dave. I'm glad you and your family are okay; will keep you all in our prayers!