CENTRAL AMERICA, NOT CENTRAL TIME ZONE

MAJOR, or mainstream news media have ignored El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala for the last two or three weeks. Hurricanes, torrential rains, mudslides, thousands buried alive, but not on the news to speak of.

MAYBE if Karl or Stacey or another indictable would be charged, there would be reason to divert attention away from the character values we have come to know and love in this moral administration. We got a whole new Chief Justice under the Rita news storm; nearly no debate.

MIDDLE Americans, as in the average news consumer here, don't get so upset at the misfortune of Central Americans, as in the victims of nature there.

MAKING all things equal, it is not surprising that distant tragedy is not as newsworthy as the local. We just can't feel everything the same as personal pain.

MODERATING the news is a science, or political art, or editorial bias or propaganda which fills news slots with what best serves directed interests.

MAKING advertisers happy, pushing an agenda favored in Editorial, appeasing the rulers; many demands are selectively obeyed before news is aired.

MANY deaths in Central America underreported may be racist, political, apathetic, opportunistic, or just lazy reporting. Never mind why, but notice what is not front page, and ask why not.

MUNDIAL news would not ever be complete, but would at least sample the world scene for the Middle American consumer, whose capacity for understanding has not been fully probed. Mercantile interests like it local vocal.

MAKE way for smarter consumers, voters, and thinkers. Don't cry for me, Argentina, but tell me your story.

-30-bobby