Physician, Heal Thyself

I've read that when a person feels in crisis, it's because they have not yet adapted to what is happening.

Not always. I wonder where the lesson could possibly be with our news media which knows the impact of spewing negative trash on internet news and television, and does it anyway.

We are barraged by examples of brutality with a never-ending supply ~ adults against animals/children, children against other children, animals against other animals, adults against other adults, parents against children, children against parents, coaches against athletes, students against teachers. OKAY. WE KNOW.

Our News Media has cultivated an entire culture of addicts, intentionally, like cigarette company does. They expose us a thousand times a month to news that makes us fearful and distrustful, and they say, tune in so you will not be next. And so we do so, eagerly, turn on the news or log on our computers to learn the horrible things that are happening right outside our doors or across the world. We openly pray for them and secretly feel grateful it's not us.  It doesn't really matter to the new terror-driven Media, just so we lock our doors, put the dog in our laps and tune in. They have gained market share and made their millions off us: why worry if we are left feeling helpless and afraid?

Local interest stories are ridiculous anecdote to the young girl who torched her family's home because a fictional internet character told her to do it. Media has won the day even for those like me who turn it on only for weather and traffic, and turn the sound down and look away for the rest. I look around at a country of manicured lawns where children can't safely play and wonder where the hell America has gone.

I have heard it said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and I guess so, when all the networks provide 24 hour coverage for seven days in a row for a child who turns the gun on his school and goes out in a blaze of glory. Take the ratings, boys: the next school shooting has been brought to you by Network XYZ.

I am so grateful to have grown up when our country knew better, when journalists and stories were about strengthening American values and exemplifying integrity and service. There absolutely were difficult stories to cover, and yes they covered them. But it was balanced news, not sensational, not shock jock news - and the kind of news we needed to know.  I most remember is Walter Cronkite weeping when the President was shot (don't ask which President), and when we landed on the Moon. It was a genuine and impactful response because Walter Cronkite had integrity and patriotism and honesty, and the news he presented reflected those esteemed values as a citizen first and newscaster second.

It was not in the best interests of the country to feel the world has become bitter and cold, and we are victims in wait unless we keep tuned to the news that will inform and protect us. They are making themselves our drug of choice.

I say no to all of it, the arming and looking around as I step outside my door expecting evil to be there. It is worrisome that our country does not push to the top of its agenda the good and the decency and kindness most of us encounter every day, for that to be the daily diet.  What of our children, I wonder, who grow up with nothing but grim news, who do not know there are many ways to look at the same issue? Who never listened to a news broadcast by Peter Jennings?

If they just looked back at their own history they would see an excellent blueprint of integrity and social conscience to inform and enlighten, and I'll bet still capture market share. Just say no to drugs.

Powell's of Portland

Imagine a place that draws scores of people inside to linger on a sunny, bright holiday weekend in Portland. People sipping on a coffee with a book open in their laps, and wandering around in packs discussing political science and international travel.

The building has interconnected rooms of eclectic and well marked categories, and used book sets for sale, but mostly the books are new.  The rooms are color coded and themed, I'm sure to guide you towards the exit, although that was a bit too subtle for me.

On the walls are huge chalkboards listing local authors and their books and locations in the store, a list of Pulitzer Prize winners, and earthy, cerebral staff to help as directional guides and problem solvers. There are Powell's t-shirts for sale, mugs, backpacks and postcards.

On the shelves were staff recommended bookmarks, like a fancy wine store that offers helpful tips on picking a good vintage. 'This is a complex and fulfilling mystery, well written, and a thoroughly satisfying read.'  Pair it with a weekend at the beach, brie and water crackers.

This IKEA-esque store has rooms within rooms, some up 1/2 a flight or down a flight that you move through vaguely aware you have transitioned. There are main paths and shortcuts, but what we ended up doing is enjoy being carried along by the crowd that enjoyed being here as much as we did.

It was a joy to be in the children's section and watching them talking and tucked into corners with books spread out in front of them, covers open, and taking in the texture, scent and feel of them. I'm not a fan of ebooks. The adults were the ones with their iPhones out, trying to corral their group into an arranged rendezvous point. 'How about the coffee bar in 10?' 

I thought of my father and hoped for his books. I was told that two of his titles have resided here previously but they were currently out of stock. I was informed the Transportation section is in Building Two.  Building. Two.


At one point we spied a bathroom, and the conversation resembled a vacation abroad:  Hey! There's a bathroom. Want to go?  Maybe we'd better, just in case. Who knows when we'll have another chance.

There are benches along some aisles and circling the support beams and in corners where two bookcases meet. Everything is wood and everything was occupied, so I went on a brief quest to find a seat and ended up utterly lost in the Russian Language section. 

There's a gallery upstairs we didn't see, but there was a glorious pillar at the entrance of a stack of books with some of the world's most influential titles. The Mahabharata, Hamlet, War & Peace, Psalms, The Odyssey, The Whale (Moby Dick), Tao te Ching, and 1000 Nights.

Welcome to Powell's Books of Portland. Can't wait to return.

http://www.powells.com/citytour.html