Monday, July 30, 2012
Hope from the youngsters
Northwest Public Radio did a happy report on Wash state grain conditions. And there's plenty of reason for happiness. Enough snow in the winter to help the red wheat germinate, but not too much freeze; PLENTY of rain in the spring; a brief period of miserable humid weather that wilted humans but didn't bother the grain; and now back to perfectly normal summer. Sunny, warm but not too hot, bone-dry.
On top of that, other parts of the country will have a poor crop this year. So Wash farmers will sell a better-than-usual crop at higher-than-usual prices.
The following was in the broadcast, but isn't in the brief podcast at the above link:
Young reportrix Anna King was talking to a farmer. She asked him how this year's harvest looked. He said simply, "Mama gets a new kitchen." Reportrix King burst out in a fine spontaneous belly-laugh.
Imagine the same interview with a baby-boomer reportrix like Commissar Susan Stamberg, Commissar Andrea Mitchell, or Commissar Linda Ellerbee. The farmer would say "Mama gets a new kitchen", and the Commissar would stalk off in a very loud huff, leaving 30 seconds of very dead air.
Later generations of journalists still recite tired Friedanist cliches, but unlike my generation, they don't bellyfeel Newthink. There's hope.
= = = = =
8/12: King made her national NPR debut in a brief feature on a candy factory. Again her spontaneity came through beautifully. Hope she doesn't 'overthink' and lose the magic.
¶ 4:57 PM
On top of that, other parts of the country will have a poor crop this year. So Wash farmers will sell a better-than-usual crop at higher-than-usual prices.
The following was in the broadcast, but isn't in the brief podcast at the above link:
Young reportrix Anna King was talking to a farmer. She asked him how this year's harvest looked. He said simply, "Mama gets a new kitchen." Reportrix King burst out in a fine spontaneous belly-laugh.
Imagine the same interview with a baby-boomer reportrix like Commissar Susan Stamberg, Commissar Andrea Mitchell, or Commissar Linda Ellerbee. The farmer would say "Mama gets a new kitchen", and the Commissar would stalk off in a very loud huff, leaving 30 seconds of very dead air.
Later generations of journalists still recite tired Friedanist cliches, but unlike my generation, they don't bellyfeel Newthink. There's hope.
= = = = =
8/12: King made her national NPR debut in a brief feature on a candy factory. Again her spontaneity came through beautifully. Hope she doesn't 'overthink' and lose the magic.
¶ 4:57 PM
