In my opinion, Americans would rather watch news that is entertaining and supports their point of view because on a day to day basis, things that happen in other countries don't affect our daily lives. No matter who's in power in Egypt or Tunisia or even Iran or Iraq, none of those countries pose a threat to our borders. We haven't been invaded since the war of 1812. And it's true that it affects prices in the stock market- but the affects that these then have on us on a day to day basis is minimal, if at all. Prices at Grandma's Pizza and even Golan have remained consistent throughout the revolution in Tunisia and the riots in Egypt.
The proof for this idea is that in Europe, the average citizen knows more about politics than does the average citizen in the US- that's a fact that is supported by statistics. That's because in Europe world politics could possible pose a security threat to them since they're so close to each other. Who's President of Canada doesn't matter if you're an American, but who's president of Germany matters if you're Poland.
And even in America, were we to be invaded, who would get the brunt of it? The states on the coasts- and studies show that people on the coasts know more about politics in general than do people in the middle of America, where the danger is less.
How can you assume that the states on the coast are more likely to be attacked over the inland states? In today's day and age countries are not being attacked necessarily by naval ships who work from the edge inwards in hopes of invading and conquering a country, but rather enemies will attack cities of large population no matter where their location is in regard to the country.
ReplyDeleteOsama bin Laden has threatened more than once to hit the "heart of America", it is highly improbable that that threat was referring to a coastal city.
I'm not assuming to know where the next strike will be against the US; nobody knows that. I'm claiming that people along the coast feel more at risk than do people further inland; I supported this theory with the fact that people inland tend to know less about foreign affairs than do people along the coast.
ReplyDeleteI would also just point out at the two most famous attacks against America, Pearl Harbor and September 11th, both occured far from the American inland.
Furthermore, it's not really possible to explain what Osama bin Laden meant when he threatened to hit the "heart of America" because it was an ambigious statement. If someone knew what it meant they should contact the Pentagon and let them know.
I for sure would rather watch news that is entertaining. No doubt, it should still be informing and presented well but if its boring im just not gonna keep watching for very long. I think this is true for most Americans, but if true that people in Europe don't care about the news being entertaining i'd be surprised. I think it's human nature to want to be entertained. News shouldn't be a joke, but it has to be entertaining to a certain degree. And i am curious why it is that citizens on the coasts are more politically knowledgeable than people elsewhere in America. If it's true, theres gotta be more reasons...
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