close
HomeNewsMoneyHealthPropertyLifestyleWineRetirement GuideTriviaGames
Sign up
menu

‘Relentless negativity in the media is ruining our view of politics’

Oct 19, 2018
Share:
Christine does her best to avoid discussions on politics. Source: Getty.

Conversations or ‘debates’ about religion or politics are at the top of my ‘Avoid’ list. I also hate any of it being shoved downed my throat via the news or the internet. However, recently I saw footage of Donald Trump boarding a plane with what looked like toilet paper stuck to the sole of his shoe and it made world headlines. It made me wonder why the breakthrough he orchestrated with North Korea was downplayed.

The achievements of the United States president are never spoken about, yet when the slightest chance to throw some mud appears, the media are all over it. I believe world leaders should be shown respect, regardless of which ‘side of the fence’ you sit. The constant Trump bashing since his election is ridiculous. If the US people didn’t want him in office they needed to get off their backsides to vote.

It also baffles me as to why Stormy Daniels, the porn star accusing Trump of defamation, has been given so much air time. It sounds like she and president (though he wasn’t at the time) had a 90-second encounter in a hotel room in 2006… Even if it’s true, so what?! How is it anyone’s business what this rich businessman got up to in the days before his run for office? Surely this is a matter he and his wife need to address privately?

The media are hell-bent on milking this story for all it’s worth. I watched the story recently on Australia’s 60 Minutes program and also saw her appearance on an American television network; she’s got one hell of an ego on her and a potty mouth to match. To me, it’s all a desperate attempt to stay relevant.

Coincidentally, she’s written about book about the ‘affair’ and has gone so far to reveal humiliating details of the president’s appendage. Really? Is this what the media has become? It’s a sad state when so much has been dedicated to a woman who calls her breasts ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not better in Australia where the politicians with massive egos of their own are walking the halls in Canberra. Politics is a laughing stock! The rate at which our prime ministers are turned over is disgraceful, and the party backstabbing that goes on is appalling. Such behaviour should be quickly removed. If the people elect a party into power, it’s likely done so because of the leader. That person must complete their term in government.

The carry-on reminds me of Oprah Winfrey, when she was on the television. However, instead of handing out cars, the catchcry is ‘You get a pension! You get a pension! You get a pension!’

Do you have topics that you try and refrain from talking about? How do you feel about the media and politics?

Want to go in the draw to win some great prizes? It’s as easy as putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and sharing your thoughts with other 60-pluses. Sign up as a contributor and submit your stories to Starts at 60 here, and join the Starts at 60 Bloggers Club on Facebook here to talk to other writers in the Starts at 60 community and learn more about how to write for Starts at 60.

 

Up next
Staying optimistic as we age
by Mary McGrath