Talking Heads

Election day had finally rolled around, but for me, it wasn't something I had to gear up for, because I had voted a couple weeks ago, so my contribution to the election was taken care of. However, having that free time allowed me to take in all of the different coverage the news networks were whipping up all day. And after watching for hours all day, up until Obama's final speech in Chicago, the one consistency I noticed between all the channels was a tendency to lean towards the grandiose. 

Admittedly, this was an incredibly important day in American history, but some of the things networks were pushing, and how frequently they were mentioning them began getting under my skin. From the obvious to Obama's race, which I can't count how many times I heard, to Palin's glaring status as a female in line for the Vice Presidency. Other more subtle things were what really bothered me though. It wasn't as if on a day such as this, we needed to trumpet the qualities of America anymore then already had been done, especially if you're reaching for things that may not even be true.

I heard Tom Brokaw, one of America's most beloved newscasters say that America had "invented" democracy. Seconds later he mumbled that we had 'kinda maybe a little sorta' borrowed the idea from Britain. Immediately after that he followed his statement by saying that "America was the first country to have representation with one vote for one person." The co-host for the show, who was off the camera at the time was heard saying "Well....eventually," in reference to our history of prohibiting minorities and women from voting, ironically two groups explicitly represented by candidates in this election.

Is it really necessary on a proud day like this to try and butter up the populous with grandiose statements that aren't even wholly true? There is plenty to cover in regards to America's rich history that is triumphant AND true. I just wish people would try harder sometimes.