I Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Program for this Public Service Announcement
365 Writing Prompt

I was in my studio this morning gathering supplies. I usually spend my mornings in there while listening to talk radio. Yes, I still own and listen to AM/FM radio. I know I could listen to it on my computer, cell phone, not at all, et cetera. I’m old school. I’m a fan of simplicity.
I’m half paying attention (waiting for a story of interest) when the radio announcer says that upon returning from a commercial break they’re going to discuss the recently made public list of the highest paid actresses. What?
We’re all aware of the current situation in Texas due to Hurricane Harvey, Correct? This is something that should be reported constantly. This is a moment of desperation where our country should be pulling together to aid those effected and I’m not quite sure how the list of highest paid actresses intertwines with that or how it even qualifies as news.
Hey, did you know that last week during a rally in Arizona our president stated that he’ll shutdown the government for the money to build the border wall if he has to? The wall that he promised during his campaign that he’ll force Mexico to pay? The wall we don’t really need?
A shitload of government employees will go with out pay and because of that our economy will be effected. All of America will be paying for this wall. I’m not quite sure how the list of highest paid actresses intertwines with that or how it even qualifies as news.
I could go on, seriously, we could talk homeless children because, well, you know, it’s the children’s fault they’re homeless?
How about the fact that an average of three women are killed each day in the U.S. by the hands of their abuser? Yeah, we talk a big game. It’s certainly not the abusers fault, right? I mean, why don’t these women just leave them? Oh wait, maybe it’s because their isn’t enough funding for shelters, or to keep them safe, or resources to ensure their success.
Cancer research, yeah, sorry, you’re going to have to do fundraisers for that.
No, for real, I can keep going. We all know I can. There is no end to our issues. However, if I did go on this would turn into a billion word essay opposed to a free write about what’s on my mind.
The thing is, the list of highest paid actresses in America isn’t news because they’re going to contribute all of their earnings toward these issues, it’s because for some reason, we the people feel it’s news and want to hear it.
My heart hurts.


