you're supposed to be the good ones, cnn.

"As human beings we all want to be happy and free from misery.
We have learned that the key to happiness is inner peace.
The greatest obstacles to inner peace are disturbing emotions such as
anger and attachment, fear and suspicion,
while love and compassion, a sense of universal responsibility
are the sources of peace and happiness."
Dalai Lama

yesterday, i was pointed to this video of a segment that ran on CNN earlier in the day -- an 8-minute knee-jerk, probably in response to this article ("A New York brochure advising heroin users on how to shoot up in a more healthful way cost taxpayers $32,000, officials said."), full of thoughtless commentary, smug smirks, and condescending 'tude. i found the segment and its derisive and ignorant (albeit, as some pointed out, unsurprising) message infuriating, but as the day went on and the story made the rounds
all
over
the
internet
(props to dr. heimer in that last clip, btw - he's amazing), i was left just one thing: heartbroken. how are we STILL fighting this fight? and how is it that the judgmental and dismissive points of view of these smarmy-ass news anchors gain any amount of credibility?  but judging from the number of commenters that agreed with them, there are plenty of people out there that buy into it.   part of me wants to start philosophizing about the ugly side of human nature, but i think more than anything, ignorance is to blame. ignorance breeds rejection and fear, and a fearful mind cannot be compassionate. i think it's high time to change that.

in the coming posts, i hope to help reduce the harm of ignorant on-air commentary by proposing some things to keep in mind for future such stories (or maybe just intelligent debate). stay tuned.