LHboyatDTW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2474 times:
Obviously this will be coming off as a rant, but I am beyond my fill of the election coverage as some of you may as well be. However, given the fact that my mom has apparently been addicted to Fox News for years, I have been offered no other alternative for T.V. enjoyment since February. Since the campaigns started leading up to this very day, I have kept a log of how many hours of T.V. my parents have watched in terms of Fox News. It seriously shocks and disturbs me that they watch a whopping 12 hours of it a day. That honestly is more T.V. in a single day than I watch in a three day period. To me it doesn't matter whether or not it is the news, that much exposure to the television can't be healthy. In addition by now I have heard all I need to know and all I ever want to know about this election. I have nothing against Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity, but I know I will snap if I am expected to take much more of this. As a result, I have come up with some questions:
1) How can I set up an intervention so the amount of news in the house can be cut down to a more reasonable level?
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19688 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2455 times:
Put together some things that you can all do, that don't involve being near a television. And then do them. Sell it as family bonding.
I'd go nuts too if I had to watch that much TV (any channel).
-Mir
7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day
Flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6284 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2421 times:
Well IMO fox news is better than MSNBC. But I am getting sick of watching the news. I am big in politics I work on capitol hill and go to school in Washington DC but the news is just getting so repetitive and boring. Its either the stock market or election. Even though its not looking good for the side I am on I just want this election to be over so we can get on with our lives.
PS I watch all the news channels I think is is important to get every side story but the amount of media basis for Barack Obama on most networks is ridiculous! And how the least experience person ever to run for this office is having such a huge lead in the polls is ridiculous also but that is for another thread.
Dont worry hopefully they wont be watching the news alot for much longer.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
Zentraedi From Japan, joined Jun 2007, 649 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2404 times:
What bothers me is how my parents would tune to the old analog channels even though they were subscribed to the HDTV cable packages, and had HDTVs at their house.
lol, I ended up blocking those out of their cable boxes and setting the parental lock.
That led to several calls asking for the pass code. Basically, they'd whine and I'd chastise them as being ridiculous.
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1713 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 2372 times:
the easiest, most inoffensive solution is just to get up and leave the room if you're tired of what's on tv, as my parents would say "go amuse yourself." play on your computer, go see friends, read comic books on your bed with the door shut while listening to your Ipod to drown out the noise of the tv, whatever teenagers do nowadays to amuse themselves (for me it was reading OAGs) and understand that there's only 6 days left in the circus that is election season in America, at least for the next two years, until the next election cycle starts.
Another tack is to engage your parents in discussion about why they like who they like, who they plan to vote for and why, use election season as a learning moment for yourself.
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4879 posts, RR: 44 Reply 5, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 2365 times:
The other way is - if you are meaning what I think you are - and you've got a little cash to spare, order 1 or 2 subscriptions to some various non-tabloid international newspapers - and conveniently leave them about when you are done with them.
They might just start reading them - and stop watching the TV...
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3687 posts, RR: 32 Reply 11, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2177 times:
I'm sorry to tell you this but they are beyond help. You'll have to either take them to the vet and get them taken out of their misery or you'll have to move out.
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
B6JFKH81 From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2767 posts, RR: 7 Reply 13, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1985 times:
As a person whose parents were also addicted to FNC, all I can say is:
"Run. Run like someone is chasing you with a knife trying to kill you. Get out as soon as you can and don't look back. There is no cure for FNC addiction and I have a bad feeling that if a democrats win this election, those who suffer from FNC addiction will only get worse."
And no, I am not joking. As I said earlier, I come from a household that had the same problem and since my dad retired it has only gotten worse. I can't even spend Thanksgiving dinner with them because it's like sitting there listening to an O'Reily Factor episode.
Quoting LHboyatDTW (Thread starter): 1) How can I set up an intervention so the amount of news in the house can be cut down to a more reasonable level?
Do your parents have siblings? I spoke to my aunts about my parents addiction and it turns out they had the same feelings as I did, they felt worse for me because I had to live with my FNC addicted parents. They wound up getting involved and it got a little better. As soon as I graduated college (I was paying for college so I couldn't afford tuition and rent so I had to live with them) and got a job, I was out of there.
AGM100 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 5407 posts, RR: 18 Reply 14, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1967 times:
Buy them some porn ! Kidding
Its a good point though , I usually do not watch news show around my kids that much. Usually my kids are in there rooms or outside doing something so its not a big deal.
Try to talk with them about it .
You dig the hole .. I fill the hole . 100% employment !
PSA727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 972 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1883 times:
Quoting LHboyatDTW (Thread starter): Obviously this will be coming off as a rant, but I am beyond my fill of the election coverage as some of you may as well be. However, given the fact that my mom has apparently been addicted to Fox News for years, I have been offered no other alternative for T.V. enjoyment since February
Who pays the rent and cable bill? If it's you, then make your voice heard. If it's your parents
then STFU, or move out and watch anything you want
AvObserver From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 2430 posts, RR: 10 Reply 17, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1815 times:
Since you're the kid you can do little. At least Fox is now more fair than the others. I used to rail against Fox for kissing up to the Bush Administration but the others are now SO in the tank for Obama, it makes me sick. I used to respect CNN but they too kiss Obama's butt, albeit more subtly than the loony left MSNBC. I agree you must get your own TV if you want to get away from this. Your folks are obviously news and political junkies; little you can do about it.
Seb146 From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 9801 posts, RR: 17 Reply 18, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 1776 times:
Quoting Flymia (Reply 2): Well IMO fox news is better than MSNBC. But I am getting sick of watching the news.
I don't understand something: Why is it okay that FOX news (which leans right without apologizing) is perfectly acceptable, but any other channel that even tries to put on even one second more news or programming in opposition is the devil and must be silenced? What ever happened to having an opposition? As much as I try to keep my dinner down listening to the "no spin zone" on O'Reilly, I have to listen to Air America or MSNBC just to hear the opposition view.
Now, back on topic:
My partner, Duane, has a friend in San Rafael who is addicted to CNN. She will get up at 7AM, turn on CNN, and not turn it off until she goes to bed at 11PM. Don't get me wrong. I could watch Anderson Cooper all day. Mmmmm...
But, there are other shows on, and there is a whole big, wide, wonderful world out there. There is so much to see and do that does not revolve around the TV. I would look up different events in your city. Things to do for free or on the cheap. Our newspaper always has what is coming up in the next week as far as galleries, movies, concerts, and so forth. Plan family stuff that does not revolve around the TV.
Asuflyer05 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2369 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1759 times:
Why don't you buy a house, a TV, get some cable and then watch what ever you want?
WESTERN737800 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 684 posts, RR: 2 Reply 20, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1748 times:
Here's what you can do if ya have a few extra bucks. When the parents aren't around do something to their TV to ruin/destroy it (just do not hurt yourself in the process). Then to be a nice son, buy a new TV. If its yours even if they are paying for cable at least you should have some say about what they watch some of the time. Its tough, good luck.
Hkg82 From Hong Kong, joined Apr 2002, 1219 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1683 times:
Quoting AvObserver (Reply 17): Since you're the kid you can do little. At least Fox is now more fair than the others. I used to rail against Fox for kissing up to the Bush Administration but the others are now SO in the tank for Obama, it makes me sick. I used to respect CNN but they too kiss Obama's butt, albeit more subtly than the loony left MSNBC. I agree you must get your own TV if you want to get away from this. Your folks are obviously news and political junkies; little you can do about it.
Interesting observation. I have to disagree about Fox News though. They are by far the most biased network I've ever come across.
They lean so heavily to the right they might as well advertise themselves as the "Right Wing Conservative Network for America" or something. Not that I have a problem with that, as I'm neither liberal/left leaning nor conservative/right leaning. It can just be very irritating however I still enjoy watching some of Fox's programmes (I’m a keen follower of what happens in the US!) and love their election coverage so far.
CNN International & BBC are world-class networks that in my opinion are about as objective as you can get (especially BBC). Note however because I don't reside in the US I don't get CNN USA (apart from the occasional switch to the sister network for special domestic occasions) or BBC America so I do not know what they are like.
Lnglive1011yyz From Canada, joined Oct 2003, 1588 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1595 times:
Quoting LHboyatDTW (Thread starter): 1) How can I set up an intervention so the amount of news in the house can be cut down to a more reasonable level?
Move out.
While you live under their roof, and they pay for your well-being, you have to abide by their rules, their likes, and everything else.
IAirAllie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1578 times:
Quoting LHboyatDTW (Thread starter): I have been offered no other alternative for T.V. enjoyment since Februar
There is a big world out there beyond television why not go out an experience it. Read a book, work out, go for a walk, hang out with friends, get a hobby, get involved in your community, do some volunteer work, join a club, join a sporting group, get a job or a million other things.
Quoting Zentraedi (Reply 3): That led to several calls asking for the pass code. Basically, they'd whine and I'd chastise them as being ridiculous.
Wow the arrogance of this astounds me. I cannot believe you would tamper with someone else's property because you did not like the way they used it. So they are wasting money on the HDTV package etc. BFD, that is their business not yours. You don't even live in the same house.
WunalaYann From Australia, joined Mar 2005, 2839 posts, RR: 32 Reply 24, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1565 times:
Quoting LHboyatDTW (Thread starter): 12 hours of it a day. That honestly is more T.V. in a single day than I watch in a three day period.
Well that's more TV than I watch in a year. May I suggest you find other things to do than sit in front of the TV three or more hours a day?
1) That will probably involve you getting out of the house (house that your parents rule, including the TV, as some posters have told you) and therefore spare you going insane with non-stop TV.
2) You will probably find many, many activities that will broaden your horizon. You will probably meet new people, make more friends, exchange ideas on what you would like to do for a job, ideas for studies, holidays, anything really.
3) I reckon that not sitting on one's bum is usually healthier than sitting on it.
AvObserver From United States of America, joined Apr 2002, 2430 posts, RR: 10 Reply 25, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1454 times:
Quoting Seb146 (Reply 18): I don't understand something: Why is it okay that FOX news (which leans right without apologizing) is perfectly acceptable, but any other channel that even tries to put on even one second more news or programming in opposition is the devil and must be silenced? What ever happened to having an opposition? As much as I try to keep my dinner down listening to the "no spin zone" on O'Reilly, I have to listen to Air America or MSNBC just to hear the opposition view.
You must be joking! The CNN cable and CBS, NBC and ABC broadcast networks are all in the tank for Obama, albeit more subtly than MSNBC. They either suppress or spin any negative news about him while dutifully reporting on any issues on McCain's campaign. And O'Reilly is more fair than Keith Olbermann. I tried to listen to Air America but found it mean-spirited and far more baised to the Left than Fox is to the Right.
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