Story’s negativity mirror’s national mood
In your May 8 article about senators golfing with our president, the reporter describes Mark West, Chattanooga Tea Party’s president as “unfurling” his newspaper (as a patriot does his flag?) and “scowling” at a photo of Bob Corker “grinning” next to Obama. Atlanta ‘s Tea Party Patriots’ co-founder Debbie Dooley “rolled her eyes” over Saxby Chambliss’ “presidential chumminess,” predicting he might get booed at the GOP state convention.
The editorializing of straight news over several decades means this story might’ve been more appropriately placed on this newspaper’s conservative editorial page. Or did the reporter actually see West scowl or personally witness Corker grinning for a camera? Was he present when Dooley rolled her eyes upon hearing about Chambliss’ chumminess with Obama?
These subtle descriptors reinforce negative opinions of individuals and groups toward folks who attempt to build bridges with citizens holding differing opinions. Why do we even act surprised at one more report of bullying among school-age and college students? Many of our nation’s well-known grown-ups scowl and roll their eyes; one called the president a liar during a State of the Union address.
Could we just enjoy a time-out from negativity, real or editorialized?
CARREN LOUISE BERSCH