Where in the World

I don't think that I've ever really talked about this before, but I'm kind of a morning TV junkie.  Ok, I know you're thinking, "get real, Andrea, you're just a TV addict."  Which is true, but there's something extra special about morning TV.


As much as I love my sleep (and trust me, I do love my sleep) there is something wonderful about waking up a little earlier than I need to so I can sit in bed with my cup of coffee, my computer, and the remote control.  My favorite shows are The Today Show and Morning Joe. Basically my mornings are filled with coffee, blogs, guilty pleasure morning TV (a la Today), and getting my politics fix (a la Morning Joe).  One relatively unintended benefit of this hobby is that I'm usually pretty informed as to what's going on in the world.


This week, my favorite news story has to be the extra-special Today Show segment, Where in the World is Matt Lauer.

For anyone unfamiliar with this series, every day of the week, Matt Lauer goes to a new and interesting world location and reports there.  Usually its about the culture, food, customs, life of the everyday citizen, etc.  What makes the segment even better is that Matt always gives the audience a clue as to his next mystery location.  They are hard as a mother to figure out.  So far this week, Matt has travelled to Namibia, Madrid, and Malaysia.  Who knows where that crazy guy is off to next.  Here's the clue if you'd like to give it a whirl: "Time is of the essence as we train our sights on where it all began for us back in 1998."  


Other than Matt Lauer, its been kind of a crazy/controversial week in the news biz.  


First the trial of Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's doctor.  Legally, I get it.  My criminal law professor even commented today that its a textbook example of involuntary manslaughter.  However, Michael Jackson has been dead for two years (I think) and I think its time to put this story to rest.  Dr. Murray received his sentence and will now spend some time in jail or repaying his debt to society in another way, its not something that needs or deserves this much media coverage.  And that's what I think about that.


Second, the Duggars.  The Duggars, the family that stars in the TLC show "Nineteen Kids and Counting" are expecting their TWENTIETH child.  Now I fully respect Michelle and Jim Bob's decision to have as many children as they'd like, particularly since Michelle and Jim Bob are able to feed, clothe, care for, and generally afford to have twenty children.  However, Michelle's last pregnancy was dangerous.  Their daughter Josie was born early and weighed merely a pound.  There were serious health threats for both mom and baby.  While I respect the Duggars' right to have as many children as they'd like, I do think it can be a bit reckless to bring a baby in the world where the chance of serious injury, birth defect, serious mental/developmental issues, and/or death are so high.  And that is what I think about that.


Finally, the Joe Paterno scandal.  I never thought I'd live in a world where people would be more outraged over the state of college football than the fact that children were sexual molested.  It disgusts me more than a little.  I don't care if you are the king of the world: if you know that children are being sexually abused, know you have a duty to report such abuse to the authorities, and fail to do so...well, quite frankly, you deserve to lose your job. If we, as a society, place more value on the "legacy" of a football coach than we do on the rights of innocent children, well, then, we are sorely misguided.  And I believe I've figured out why this worlds is in such a mess.  We can never place too much value on protecting those who cannot protect themselves, even at the chance that it will affect who is playing a Bowl Game this winter.  And that is what I have to think about that.

Where do you think Matt is off to?

Are you a news junkie?

What are your favorite stories of the week (or stories you love to hate)?