Sometimes the American public behaves like a kitten when it comes to attention span. The ball of yarn can keep a feline absorbed for only so long, and then it’s time to move on.
For us, outrage succumbs to “Out of sight, out of mind.”
Some examples of this came to mind when I read a three-paragraph blurb that ran in the “News Briefs” section of my newspaper.
You might recall the outrage over full-body scanners at airport security stops. Media reports abounded. The “public” expressed outrage. Lawmakers and anti-terror zealots stumbled over themselves when interviewed. And a plan to disrupt Thanksgiving holiday by boycotting use of the machines surfaced.
Well, few partook in the protest, and until I read the news brief, I found little news about irritated travelers and full-body scans.
Everyone collectively chased another ball of yarn — except scanner manufacturers. The article reported that a new scanner was being tested at airports, which achieved the same results but in a far less embarrassing (if not less intrusive) fashion by revealing only “threats” rather than the “human form” to Transportation and Security Authority employees.
Meanwhile, the “buzz” over California’s efforts to further legalize the use of marijuana generated nightly news reports about other states taking interest in the referendum and federal government officials gearing up for lawsuits. The pot-culture classic “Reefer Madness” got renewed airtime, and a month out from the vote, polls showed Proposition 19 might pass.
It did not pass, and with its defeat, the debate about legalizing pot did, too.
And the evil, intrusive and despised U.S. Census?
The counting is done and newly acquired and interesting data already is available to public — and politicians, many licking their chops over the shift in population that will gives some states more firepower in the House of Representatives.
Boycotts? Refusal to participate? The mail survey drew a 74 percent participation rate, equal to that of 2000.
And finally, quietly and with little fanfare the recently signed nuclear arms treaty with Russia went into effect.
When the Democrats held the majority in the house, the treaty often was cited as an example of how bipartisanship could work in Congress. But as soon as midterm elections turned the majority over to the Republicans, that bipartisan spirit fell apart like the former Soviet Union.
Nevertheless, both sides of the equation approved the pact — while most Americans paid it little mind.
There’s a lot happening in our country and the world. Today’s top priority can quickly become tomorrow’s afterthought.
Chalk it up to the information age?
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