January 6, 2008 10:00 PM
The News Year
I suppose that it can be said of most every new year, but 2008 is starting to look a little bit more depressing than its predecessor, at least on the surface. That is the surface presented by the 24-hour news media. Following the nonstop coverage of the Iowa Caucuses, we find perpetual coverage of Britney's blowup, with in-depth coverage and analysis of the stalker-like video captured as paramedics took her from her home followed by the legal consequences of Dr. Phil's diagnosis. And all of this only comes after a week-long discussion of her younger sister's indiscretion. Is this really what we like to watch these days?
For one who just wanted to soak up as much pre-New Hampshire coverage as possible before flying back to school in England, I hope not. I only hope that we pay the same attention, scrutinize to the same degree, our candidates for the Presidency in the election already underway. I know that this is true for two like-minded--to some extent--Mercersburg News staffers. I found two editors, friends of mine from my time at Mercersburg, similarly glued to both their computers and their elections on the night of January 3rd, the first real election night in a long time. Although decidedly different from either politically, I was able to agree with each that C-SPAN's coverage was the most interesting, that CNN's visuals were confusing, and that Fox was unfortunately pro-Huckabee in their analysis and commentary.
Now that last muddle might not mean much to one who doesn't follow politics, but this should--to anyone with an interest in the sort of students who attend Mercersburg: we are a passionate bunch. Whether it is for the situation in Darfur, or helping other students succeed by working in the Writing or Math Centers, or performing on the sports field or stage, each of us has at least one thing that we find singularly fascinating, uniquely inspirational, particularly meaningful. Through Mercersburg that passion can be pursued, in class, in extracurricular activities, in the communities connected to the school, in the colleges and universities for which it prepares it students, in the life that is waiting after academia. I don't know how much attention is given there to Britney's sanity--or lack thereof--but I do know that there was always time to watch the State of the Union, to construct your own "big map" on election night, to care about the process and be a part of it.
And that's just my story... check out www.mercersburg.edu/definitions to learn about some other Mercersburg student passions!
Posted by at January 6, 2008 10:00 PM