To Hate is to Love Nancy Grace

The American news media machine is often a forum for the loudest, angriest, and most narrow minded. Those who are eager to shout their opinions regardless of any factual evidence overshadow any attempt at a rational and well thought out news broadcast attempt.

Names like Bill O’ Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity have made their careers on creating any and every conceivable way to convince people that we are in grave danger– Americans are in danger of communists in our borders. There are terrorists waiting to attack little Suzie in the playground because of an unnatural and unmotivated hatred for the western way of life. Gay marriage will cause a chain reaction that can only result in the apocalypse.

This spewing of verbal venom can be viewed as the ramblings of deranged individuals. So why are these people given airtime? It’s simple really. These rantings are hard to ignore and… well… fun to watch.

I try to stay away from this far fetched and borderline insane personalities. However, one night I tuned into CNN at watch a whole episode of Nancy Grace. From there I was hooked.

Nancy Grace is just as loud mouth and obnoxious as the rest of the ’shout’ broadcasters. There is a key difference that sets the Grace apart from the rest– rather than forming an opinion, she will usually take something that anyone can agree with and will just try to out-shout anyone.

In one broadcast there was a story of an American father who killed his family. This is a horrific tragedy. How horrific is it? Watch Nancy Grace. She will literally spend an hour show letting us know. ”This man should be locked away for life!”. ”He’s a bad person!” . ”What is wrong with him!?” ”This man should not be allowed to have children!”

This kind of reporting is in no way news or insightful, but it’s sure as hell fun to watch.

If this lady was on the subway with me shouting like that, well I’d probably try to switch cars. On the TV with graphics, it’s an awesome way to unwind.

Watching this crazy lady make a career of convicted alleged criminals is like watching a car crash. It’s awful, it’s despicable, it’s impossible to turn away.

‘Short’ time for Shorts

Like any good Canadian, I hate weather. Not cold weather, hot weather, rainy weather, just weather.

Always having to put up with all the conditions this planet has to offer is what bonds us as Canadians– with the exception of the Vancouverites… Vancouverins.. Vancouvish… Vancouver dwellers. However the winter rain and dreariness in Vancouver is a fair trade off for snow.

To date this spring I have had numerous regrettable occasions where I dawned shorts only to have the weather take an unexpected drop.

I imagine this is an experience people across the country can relate to. Pulling out and dusting off the summer wear that have been on their off-season vacation provide a mild form of excitement. This is often followed by a trip to the mall to pick out some new summer wear.

I had some friends from Florida come by to visit a few weeks ago. It was their first Canadian experience. The weather average: about eight degrees all weekend. My friend Kat shouted out a one point while waiting in line for a Kensington Market bar: “God its spring! Haven’t Canadians gotten the memo?”

I found myself defending the Toronto climate, while cursing it when among other Canadians.

I take comfort in knowing the good weather must be on its way. My shorts are all warmed up now.

So I fear not. I know soon enough it will be too goddamn hot to go outside.