One Step Too Far: TV and Patriotism
written by: Cory Q
I saw something that has caused a slight brain sprain for me. In the Thanksgiving newspaper ad it was that Holy Tome for Overwrought Consumerism. I saw an item that crosses a few lines. I saw an item that speaks only too clearly of the misplaced priorities of American Culture. I saw a Patriotic Remote control from Radio Shack.
In living color I saw this abomination. It is a universal remote control that has the American flag printed across the face of it. This thing sells for $9.99.
A remote control with a flag on it? Has our national symbol become so cheapened as to become a marketing ploy? Well, I guess that was a stupid question on my part even if it was rhetorical. What I don't get is the pairing of these two concepts as much as anything. It seems like a wedding announcement of two people you know should never end up together. I can see it in the society pages now: "Old Glory and The Boob Tube to wed on Saturday at the House of Dogma and Dollars."
OK. I understand patriotism. It is a national sense of identity and pride. I also understand jingoism. I'm not saying that a tacky remote control advocates an aggressive foreign policy, but I can easily envision George W(anker) and Dickles Sweet Sweet Oil surfing channels in the Lincoln Bedroom with one of those bad boys in hand chatting about how it would be a good thing to finish his daddy's war. Maybe the ratings were soooo good the first time that it seems just toooo good to pass up.
Maybe the 'TV and Flag' combo strikes a nerve that is already too raw for me. Don't we spend enough time in front of the TV sucking down propaganda already? Aren't we becoming a fat nation because we have literally become couch potato chips? Haven't we exchanged interaction at the dinner table for TV trays and the banality of 'Friends'? Perhaps this patriotic remote is really only the next logical step in our national conscience. Perhaps our new flag is the remote control.
What this rant boils down to is tattered nerves. I am sick of people being patriotic but not educated as to what elected officials are doing. I am sick of people waving the flag around but not seeing what that flag really stands for. I am sick of TV having as much say as it does in our lives. I am sick of "My Country Right or Wrong".
Shut off the TV.
Read a book.
Get involved in politics at a grass roots level if you want to really make a difference.
Start a discussion, not an argument, about what being American really means.
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