would I really feel better, if I quit watching tv news?

[Syrinx]

I think I've seen the opinion posted that one will rejuvenate, physically, mentally and emotionally, if one gives up Keith and Rush, Rachel and Bill, Maher... etc.

Day to day, I'm obsessed with news and politics. Just about the only time I'm not thinking about that stuff is when I'm lucky enough to be touching a willing lady, or when I'm watching a really good movie. Even when I'm grinding out code for little money, I'm listening to Malloy or watching Maddow out of the corner of my eye. (Actually, I haven't heard Malloy lately, but Maddow and Malloy just went really well together. :) )

I've been like this my whole life. I always liked watching the moon landings when I was real little. And was fascinated by the coverage of assassinations. The only one I remember from back then was George Wallace. I remember that CBS interrupted the Tattletales program, that me and my babysitter were watching, for coverage.

Will my demeanor, and even my health, really improve if I reject political media, as I have been told?

And no, I don't regularly listen to Limbaugh. I do admit that I probably watch an hour a week of Bill'O. It's hard to find something funny on TV after two a.m. :shrug:

[SeattleGirl]

1. I think it's an individual thing, and the only way you would really

know is if you took a time out from TV news.

[Syrinx]

2. I shall go into my lab...

And do an experiment. :)

[SeattleGirl]

3. There you go!

Let us know how the grand experiment went.

[zeemike]

4. you might feel better but at the cost of being uninformed

The key to it is to not internalize it and become angry and disillusioned by all the negativity.
Keep in mind that this all has been a long time coming and it will take a long time to change.
And the key to creating a just society is for good men to be persistent and patient with themselves and others.
In other words hang in there for the long run and don't ignore the right wing fascist or dismiss them as nut cases.
They are dangerous people that need to be watched by someone but not feared.

[TexasObserver]

5. Since Obama took office, I watch less an hour of news a day on TV

I keep the business news channel turned on from dawn to dusk, with the noise turned down so I don't hear all the squawking. I read the info I'm looking for, and seldom listen to the talking heads.

I don't even watch Keith or Rachel any more. I'm interested in the big picture right now, and that means looking at the world the way the average citizen does - which is less than an hour of TV news a day. It's easy to lose the perspective of those who don't watch a lot of TV news.

Right now, the main thing that matters is the economy. The stimulus bill is just a first step, the first a many. If the actions of the next six months take hold by year's end, we'll be lucky. I am confident Obama is taking the steps he can take, at the speed he can take them.

He knows he cannot simply lay out a comprehensive plan that would show trillions invested in the US over the next three years. That would invite screams by the right, and that would distract. Obama will nurse along each new step, and will sell it to the public, then get it from the congress.

[grannie4peace]

6. you would go stir crazy! cut back slowly!

BUT- i'd stay away from o'liary & limpballs!

[islandmkl]

7. first of all, most of it is NOT news...it's just entertaining op-news...

so, second...you won't be missing out on any NEWS unless you totally cut yourself off from the sources of real news, which between the 'net and papers and the straight news tv should cover anything of import....

[geckosfeet]

8. I watch maybe an hour a week - maybe. Most of my news comes off the intertubes - and DU!

I also reluctantly listen to NPR - they suck but they are better than the rest and I respect their roots.