This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Turn off my TV? NO WAY!
Odds are you’ve never heard of the “Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness.”
Their website claims this do-gooder advocacy group “provides information so people can live healthier lives in functional families in vibrant communities by taking control of the electronic media in their lives, not allowing it to control them.”
The group has declared this week, April 20-27 as National Turn Off Your TV Week.
Oh my God! Our television sets are controlling us!
You morons, don’t you understand you could be doing so many wonderful activities yourselves or with your children like volunteering, going to a concert, putting a puzzle together, visiting the library or zoo, painting a room, cleaning out the garage, bird watching, hiking, writing a letter, planting flowers, baking, swimming, camping, dancing, or reading this fascinating blog more often, if only you’d shut off your blasted television set!
Juvenile crime is out of control, most teenagers don’t know squat about history, far too many of our youth are obese, and it’s all television’s fault.
That’s what this goofy Center for Misinterpreting and Twisting Data Instead of Blaming Bad Parents for Bad Parenting would have us believe.
Again, from their website, promoting one of their stupid campaigns:
“When you go to the airport do you find it stressful? After going through security you arrive at the gate, only to find that the flight is delayed. You finally find a seat and what do you find? You find CNN overhead, telling you all the things you don't want to hear before getting on a plane, and providing information your children should not be exposed to. PLEASE go to our Programs section above and click on Screens A-Z for sample letters asking airports and CNN parent company, Time Warner, to be a bit more understanding. Let us know when you send your letters so we can help let our legislators know.”
If you want your kids to spend less time watching TV or if you’d like to engage in more non-TV activities, do you really need some international non-profit goodie-two shoes organization feeding you instructions?
Besides, turning off television can also deprive families of programming that is entertaining, informative, and positive. Not everything on the boob tube is junk.
Tonight, PBS’ “Masterpiece” features the story of how Rudyard Kipling uses his influence to get his son into a military unit during World I. His son had been rejected because of poor eyesight. Once in the military, Jack Kipling goes missing in action.
Also tonight, CBS presents, “Sweet Nothing in My Ear,” a story about a married couple dealing with separate realities when their only child loses his ability to hear. It stars Marlee Matlin.
This week, PBS presents a documentary about the life of legendary baseball star Roberto Clemente.
I’m sure the kids will love this.
These are just a few of the many examples of GOOD television I could cite from this week’s schedule.
TV is much too simple to use as a scapegoat. If TV is ruining your family and controlling your life, do what you have to do, but don’t do it because some nannies in Washington D.C. said so.
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