CNN Pole 1

[Scott24x7]

You know, I am a big fan of CNN, especially their web site, it helps keep me connected to what's going on back in the US while I'm living abroad. But sometimes I HATE the way they put their on-line poles together. And here was today's:

What's causing the record heat?
Global warming
Normal heat trend

What's to say that Global Wraming isn't a normal heat trend? This has got to be the stupidist question they have ever asked...


Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[SantaMufasa]

From a language perspective, CC, all of the Media seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to use of weak passive voice.

When we hear passive voice, we are receiving only half the news...who is having something done unto them, but not who the Doer is. Knowing the Doer is often the key piece of the news..."It was reported earlier today that a village on the Lebanese side of the Lebanese-Israeli border was destroyed." Okay, so who did the reporting? Was is the Israeli News Agency?...Hezbollah?..."al-justazero"? Who did the destroying?...Israel?...Hezbollah?...Syria?...Al-Qaeda? Knowing who helps us better place news in proper perspective.

And isn't knowing the Doer the Primary 'W' of the 'Who, What, When, Where, Why, and Wow'? Between "Passive Voice" and "Prejudice", News nowdays seems virtually worthless, IMHO.

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[I can provide you with low-cost, remote Database Administration services: see our website and contact me via www.dasages.com]

 

[fumei]

Very nice Dave.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[Scott24x7]

Well, today's is amusing too:

What do you think of Madonna's onstage 'crucifixion?'
Artistic
Blasphemy

I wanted a "Like I Care" option, or perhaps a "Boring" button...


Best Regards,
Scott

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, and no simpler."

 

[Sympology]

Scott,
they need extreme answers.
If the options were:

Artisic
Blasphemy
Yawn.

Yawn would actually lose everytime. Not because it is the least popular answer, but it tends to people with extreme views that actually bother to waste their time and money voting on these money making polls.



Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[Sympology]

I vote for "Naked News" as the leading news programme. I yet to notice (a mistake in a) news item.

Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[jebenson]

There is a two-man stage play that originated in Texas, named "Greater Tuna". It is set, surprisingly, in the town of Tuna, Texas. One of the scenes in the play involves 2 radio DJs reading the news. One of them grabs a news release that just came in over the wire and announces "This just in...nuclear accident threatens 13 states..." Here the "DJ" makes as if scanning the list, then announces, "Texas not on the list."

fumei, as you detailed in your post of August 5, this comedy act is based in reality. I have seen local newscasts that did this exact thing...give a report about some event or whatever, then announce, "<Your town> is not affected..." Well, either tell me who IS affected, or don't report it at all!


I used to rock and roll every night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find 30 minutes a week in which to get funky. - Homer Simpson

Arrrr, mateys! Ye needs ta be preparin' yerselves fer Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ye has a choice: talk like a pira