The news you haven't seen on news television - 8.10.2007.1

I find it interesting how much time was spent today on the various news media discussing the local vote to repeal a 40 year old ban on tattoo shops in Key West, Florida. Picking on Fox News, this story was on every hour today from roughly 11 til the writing of this post. Each time the story included a piece by a reporter on the scene, making it a total length of approximately 3 minutes. That may not sound like a lot, but for a 24/7 news channel it is substantial for such a fluff piece. Let just think of what might have been able to fill that time slot today.

There is the news that the Black Family Channel has been forced to leave cable television and will only be found online. Though the channel reached 16 million households, many cable and satellite providers refused to carry the channel. It seems they thought BET, and sometimes TV One as well, was more than enough African American programming. So much for the 500 channels of diversity that HD television was proclaimed to provide.

Looking at the Presidential race, a question posed to Senator Clinton that I would believe could catch anyone’s attention was

"Are you black enough?" asked Malveaux, echoing a question often asked of rival Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is biracial. "What makes you a better candidate over a black man representing issues confronting African-Americans?"

Wouldn’t you have loved to hear that answer?

Well maybe those 2 stories are too serious. Maybe something less important to the nation. How about being able to have virtual sex on Second Life? For those unfamiliar Second Life is a MMO similar to the popular and famous The Sims.

"Eros LLC decided people would pay to equip their online selves — which start out with the smooth anatomy of a Barbie or Ken doll — with realistic genitalia and even more to add some sexy moves."

There’s a bit of sauce to start the weekend with.

Let’s get even less relevant. How about the fact that 50 cent has stated he will quit his solo rap career if his next album does not outsell artist Kayne West. Both have upcoming releases on the same day. [Just this once I'm hoping Kanye West does really well.]

Actually several of these stories could have each been presented in the time allotted to talking about the tattoo ban. Seriously. There are too many things that deserve more time. I particularly believe the first 2 deserve the national attention, but I have to believe even the bit about 50 cent (I really hate that name) is more of interest to the nation.

21 minutes is barely a lunch break in most lives, but in television it’s a hit prime time show, breaking news, a peace treaty or a war starting. It’s the time a family may gather; it’s where some gather their grasp of the world.

Maybe it’s me, but I’d still love to see Senator Clinton’s face as she tried to answer the above question. (oh, her response didn’t answer the question but rather deflected it to a totally different direction.)

This is what I think, what do you think?