Is the American Dream dead? Or does cooper just have a way to spread his insane thoughts to the rest of the world now...

Joining the military has forced me to become a person of routine and structure. For me personally this was a big change, but change isn’t always bad. This change showed itself in my morning routine. Before I joined, when I woke up I would… well I would probably eat lunch because it was around noon. Needless to say I had no morning routine. But now, it’s 6 am and I have a coffee in hand and am watching the news. The morning news is now as routine as brushing my teeth. It has become an every morning thing. Personally I hate the news,(I really only watch it because its 6 am and nothing is on) but it has showed me something in the last couple months. Mostly that weather and traffic reports take up 90 % of local news reports. But what it showed me and what I want to rant about is what the news does to us, what it does to our thoughts and morale...




Everyday it’s the same thing; economy struggling, war pushing forward, terrorism, politics, taxes, healthcare, government, poverty, unemployment rates, and throw in some celebrity gossip. Now don’t get me wrong, these things are important issues(celebrity gossip aside). They each deserve their own blogpost, and I am sure we will touch on them eventually. But what I have noticed is that every morning I start my day off thinking about some serious shit. Apparently our country is fucked and the world is not too much better off. Is this really what I should start my day off with?

I don’t want to sound like some flake that wants to pretend these issues and problems don’t exist, but I have found myself wondering what effect this is having on the people of America. Are these news reports benefiting anyone. Besides showing the apparently depressing state of the world…

Pause for commercial break…

2 fast food ads.

1 awkward foundation for a better life commercial. (what is that by the way)

3 anti depression medication ads that seem to all have suicide and worse depression as a side effect.

1 movie trailer.

And we are back.

…all the news does is show a completely biased version of stories and reports and use fear as a way to draw people in for more ratings. I personally am shocked at how far our country has dropped according to the news.

Personally I don’t think it has gotten all that bad. Speaking from a middle class background, I feel I don’t live in a dream world. (god I wish the military was a dream) Anyways shit hasn’t gotten that bad, if you work hard and do what it takes you can still live the American dream. Of course that dream is different for everyone but it is still possible. We can’t let the threat of higher taxes or higher gas prices deter us from those dreams. We cant let the fear the media spits out at us take hold. A home, a backyard, two lawn chairs, a grill, and a cooler full of beer on a Saturday afternoon is still very much possible. We need to stay positive and enjoy the little things.(And trust me Beer is an awesome little thing to enjoy) Taxes are going to go up, and there will always be war. Get used to it. “Life is tough, get a fucking helmet pal.” - Dennis Leary

Personally I think I am going to take the news out of my routine. Who needs the stress? Besides I can get my weather and traffic reports online without all the bullshit. I think this change in routine will be for the better. If I want to find out what is going on in the world, ill ask Evan. Other than that if I want some more information on something ill watch The Daily Show with John Stewart or Real Time with Bill Maher. At least they understand how insane mainstream news media is, and usually give it to you pretty straight.

Well for now I am done with my rant, its time to go play some video games and crack open a cold one. I suggest you do the same.