Last night was dueling town halls between two networks and two candidates.

I did not watch.

Partially, because I can’t stand one candidate, he makes my skin crawl. And partly because I think the networks were deeply irresponsible for scheduling like this.

We all know we can practically cue 45’s comments about ratings. Surely he is watching the returns and will claim victory if he “wins” the Nielson Election. He does make for much better television, that is, if you don’t care about real-life policy effects upon your health, society, your planet or your sanity.

When one side or another (I am referring to the left-right divide here) complains about “fake news” I think they are accurate. That is, the news is no longer just news. The news is a ratings-guzzling machine sold to advertisers for the highest price. And this makes the media global superpowers rich and more powerful by the moment.

If you argue one type of commercial news is better or worse than others, you may be right, or you may be missing something.

If you are still in disbelief about this, then just look closely at the current president we have. One who mocks the disabled, brags about how he assaults women and who begs for your attention night after night… and gets it. He sells stuff by love and by hate (mostly by hate).

I love TV. Too much. And I love news. But I don’t love having my attention sold any more to the highest bidder.

“Main stream” news, you just showed your hand, and it had on the glove of carelessness and the glisten of profit.

The reason you exist is to provide truth to citizens. Apparently you have forgotten that the way in which you present it matters as much as the content.

#VOTE