In defence of the media frenzy

It's been a few days since Toronto mayor Rob Ford was photographed, apparently reading whilst driving on the Gardiner Expressway. This entry is in response to those who argue that this photograph is not worthy of the media attention it received.

I am generally of the opinion that an elected official's private life should remain so. I do not need to know if one is having an affair or where they buy their clothes. In the big picture, these actions have little effect on anything. What Mayor Ford allegedly did, however, crossed a line. It has the potential to affect us directly. Distracted driving can lead to an accident. It can hurt, even kill, someone.

When the leader of a city does not deny an act that puts his/her citizens in danger, weakly defends their actions by claiming they are very busy (who isn't?), and cannot understand the spectacle being made of it, it would be a crime to not report on it. Rob Ford is an elected leader. Like it or not, all leaders lead by example. The example Mayor Ford is setting is not a good one.



Would I expect the same attention if the photograph was of an ordinary citizen? In an ideal world, yes - public scrutiny can be an effective deterrent - but realistically, no.

Catching television criminals - then and now

Hubby and I watched an episode of Murder, She Wrote earlier today. I have always loved that show. Who could resist the charm and wit of J. B. Fletcher? The criminals certainly could not, as is evidenced at the 45-minute mark of every episode, when they break down and confess their crime and motive after being figuratively backed into a corner by a calm, observant, and smiling old widow.

The show is highly predictable. Someone is murdered and someone else is painted as the likely suspect. Jessica doubts this person's guilt and, through paying attention to minute details, sets out to prove that the character who received very little screen time is actually the murderer. In the eleventh hour, the power that is Jessica's charm and logic coerces a confession out of the murderer, usually in front of the sheriff. You could almost play detective with Jessica, and try to find that one detail, the key to solving the crime.

The soundtrack is light and airy. There is little violence and, when there is, it is milder than on a children's show such as The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

I grew up watching this show with my mom and happily recreate those memories with my children today. The character of Jessica Fletcher has a way of putting rude and inconsiderate people in their place with nothing more than a calm voice and a smile. I hope to age with such grace, gravitas, and dignity. I hope my children do, too.

Later on, hubby and I watched an episode of Criminal Minds. What a difference 20 years can do to television! The formula is still there, albeit a little changed. Discover murdered person. Use clues not immediately obvious to the general populace to identify killer. Catch criminal (usually).

But, oh, the violence! The gore! Severed limbs, gouged eyeballs, and splattered blood! Sometimes we are lucky enough to witness the crime in action. I cannot watch this show whilst my children are nearby. The photography and soundtrack can make way to the kind of nail-biting suspense typical in a horror movie. I know of adults who have a difficult time sleeping after watching the show.

As the viewer, you don't really have an opportunity to solve the crime - everything is pretty much laid out for you. Though each character has his/her positive attributes, I do not find myself aspiring to become like any of them. The entertainment value of this show is not so much in the storytelling as in the shock value of its contents.

So, which is better? Then or now? Light and whimsical or heavy and dark? Family fare or guilty pleasure? I enjoy both shows immensely; it merely depends on what time of day it is. Murder, She Wrote is my cup of grape juice shared with my family at the dinner table, whereas Criminal Minds is my glass of wine after my children are fast asleep.

How about you? Which do you prefer?

Let's try this again...

It's amazing what you discover with something as annoying as your facebook layout being forced to the new timeline. My "über dich" needed some serious editing, my friends list was much larger than I thought, I have not been taking nearly as many photos as I would like, and I HAVE A BLOG!

Coincidentally, after reading a few headlines before the aforementioned assimilation into the facebook timeline, I was contemplating how nice it would be to start writing again.

And so, after neglecting this blog for so long, I am going to give it another go. I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you. =)