Hendrie on ice (was: Boston spring 2002 Arbitrends-- two questions)

["Bill O'Neill" <billo@shoreham.net>]

Larry writes:

> In this light, it was interesting to hear the piece on
> "On The Media"
> this week about how the actual number of stranger
> abductions in this
> country is only about 100 a year, but our beloved media
> would have us
> believe that there's one happening every few minutes.

If any good has come of the coverage, it's that regional media (who
really _needs_ to cover this on the spot) have been pushed to step
up.  Knowing that news starved 24/7 nets are awaiting "late
breakings" they've responded.  Unfortunately, whereas regional reax
is a good thing, IMO, national news efforts can trigger downsides.
"Expert" talkingheads are pushing the copycat potential as a
side-effect of the hysteria created.  BUT, what about this: if
regional media have a place in informing the public of an abduction,
with those precious first three hours in the balance, what about the
increasing share of viewers whose viewing at that time is more
likely to be FNC, CNN or MSNBC?  Would they not miss out on the
"call" to act locally?

As for Hendrie's spoof, it proves that the guy's been talking to
himself way to much.  We used to joke about the WCAP "frivolity
alarm" that would go off <not really> when things got too off the
path.  Perhaps a "sensibilities alarm" Mr. Hendrie?

Bill O'Neill