It’s official. I simply can’t watch or listen to anymore news about the election. I’m overwhelmed and stressed out, especially by all the recent nasty, hateful rhetoric against my candidate and the exhausting 24-hour news analysis. Seriously, my mental health is in jeopardy here. So with the exception of this Wednesday’s presidential debate, I’m going to make an effort to refrain from my favorite television news, blogs, and talk radio. This means no Keith Olbermann, no Rachel Maddow, no Ed Schultz, no more “Talk of the Nation,” no Politico or Daily Kos or Huffington Post, no Jack & Jill Politics. No Newsweek this week. Until next Monday, it’s only webcomics, TV sitcoms, Pandora, and pictures of Barack Obama holding babies. I’m desperately hoping that I’ll be a stronger, saner person after this experiment is over. Let’s find out, shall we?
Monday, 9:02 PM: The ride home was especially bad without NPR and the crisp, cool voice of Michele Norris. But I’ve made it through the evening so far without the CNN/MSNBC pundits and their latest political outrage. (My husband just walked in the room and could not contain his laughter, “Oh yeah, you’re feeling the burn.”) I’ll show him.
Monday, 12:20 PM: Cleared my email inbox for the first time in months. Wow! I catch up with Frieda on the phone, enjoy Robin Thicke’s new song in the car (well, it’s new to me), and without even realizing it, I buy a copy of my local paper with my Dr. Pepper at the gas station. Damn! Decide to read only the Metro and Living sections, my horoscope sounds promising. Still not bored enough to try Sodoku. Two quarters wasted.
Monday, 9:30 AM: I just glanced down the headlines in the New York Times today, but I refused to read the editorials. So as far as I’m concerned, this is a good first step.


Posted by Professor Fury on October 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Wow. Kudos to you; there’s no way this poll-and-pundit junkie could go cold turkey right now. I know it would be good for me, but I just can’t let go . . .
Posted by Claudia on October 13, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Thanks PF! You should give it a try. Just make sure your snorkel is working… LOL
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