August 13, 2009 - This morning I went searching for interesting news stories and found four very intriguing reports; one each from CNN and MSNBC, while Fox News reeled me in for two...how unpredictable. In a follow-up to yesterday's commentary, Fox News presents a piece on healthcare and the outrage from the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) over lies presented by America's right wing. MSNBC reports that while many are benefiting from the Cash for Clunkers program, others are left struggling to find business. Finally, CNN provides an uplifting story about the use of Sesame Street and muppets as tools for diplomacy. Fox News also unveiled a story about former Vice President Dick Cheney's intention to write a memoir about his time in the White House. However, I think that one deserves its own day.
According to a Fox News report, the United Kingdom's NHS is fighting back against critics of President Obama's healthcare reform. As I mentioned yesterday, many critics have attempted to link Obama's plan to the healthcare systems found in Canada and the United Kingdom. Britain's NHS is fed up, because of 'ridiculous' 'untruths' that are being used to make American citizens fearful of reform. I am not well educated on Britain's system outside of what I learned from Michael Moore's, "Sicko"... obviously I don't know much. However, I do know a lot of Canadians that would not trade their system for ours. General care is widely accessible and prescription drugs are inexpensive. I have heard stories about waiting lists for special procedures, but they are still provided. Anyways, that's beside the point, right wing fanatics are falsely linking Obama's plan to the single payer systems in Canada and the United Kingdom, the plan on the table is NOT a single payer system. In fact, if people keep making those claims, I might start advocating death panels in an effort to rid the world of this ignorant, uninformed, and misleading rhetoric.
Enough about healthcare...for now, MSNBC presents a story about the Cash for Clunkers program. It reveals a side of the story that has not been publicized and may not have been predicted. Used car dealerships, auto parts dealers, and car donation charities may be left struggling, because of the program. The story cites a used car salesman who claims the majority of the people who come in for a car are looking for a government rebate through Cash for Clunkers. Additionally, auto parts dealers and car donation charities are worried that they will be left without product, because all of the clunkers are being destroyed. I can sympathize with these worries, because they are legitimate and it is possible that they will struggle as a result of the program. However, the entire point of the program is to stimulate new car sales by removing inefficient cars that pollute the air, from the road. The program misses the mark if it provides a rebate and then allows other businesses to resell, donate or use the vehicles for parts. Don't worry Mr. Used Car Salesmen, it won't be long before people start turning in their used hybrids and then you and our air can both benefit.
Finally, CNN provides a heartwarming story about the use of Sesame Street and muppets as a way to find common ground with parents and children in war torn areas of the world. This strategy was initially used in the Gulf War by the U.S. Military who brought muppets and episodes of Sesame Street to Iraq. They distributed the materials to Iraqi children to create relationships with the local communities in an effort to rally their support. Our troops may have left, but Sesame Street stayed and has now spread throughout the Middle East. In Palestine, Sesame Street has developed programs that teach non-violence with the goal of raising a generation of Palestinians that does not advocate their ongoing war with Israel. I can't remember being a big Sesame Street fan, but I did watch it from time to time and loved the Cookie Monster. The point is that I grew up with the characters from Sesame Street and I am still familiar with all of them. As a child you don't recognize the lessons the show teaches, but they are present nonetheless. It is a challenge to find common ground with some of the regions of the world and I can't think of a better way for us to relate to these children.
It was a good day for the news, with all of them presenting informative, useful and intriguing stories. I will leave today better off for having read them. I'll be back tomorrow and I can't wait to learn more about Cheney's memoir. He should have been a character in The Wizard of Oz...all he needs is a heart. I'm often disappointed, but today I enjoyed the News to Me.
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