I was actually born there. The first thing I thought of was my Aunt Barb luckily, I guess, I check my email to find out my Aunt had a pacemaker installed this morning. Thankfully she is ok, now I just have to worry about the rest of the family that was coming to see her!!

There wasn't enough room in the title, but it was supposed to say journalists scramble to collect usual collection of inane quotes.

Anyway... the bridge collapse is a big deal, but I got totally distracted by the litany of really stupid quotes in the article.

For those here who don't puruse MC, Big PigletFan's post is very moving and worth a look. Had circumstances been just a little different she would have been on it when it went.

Can you provide a direct link? Thanks.

here's the link

^^^^ DPR beat me to it!

Post #27

I saw a bit of the coverage last night, a terrible tragedy, but already so many miraculous survivals. After all, there could be hundreds dead, and so far, there are not.

I've not met BPF, but I saw her recent posting (welcome) and am glad that she's okay. It's called dodging a bullet, I guess.

I have to say, the bit of news I caught late last night, I saw part of a press conference with the Mayor, Governor, Red Corss and Police and they were calm and articulate and totally speaking off the cuff in the face of a terrible disaster. I was impressed, good people.

As much as I do care, I think that the coverage has been a bit much. I'm waiting for new news, instead of hearing people give heart-felt speeches and promises of prayers, as though we've had a national disaster - 4 people dead and 20 missing is far from a national disaster. I understand it's a major disaster to anyone that's from there or would be traveling there or know anyone involved, but this over-coverage is desensitizing me to the point that I don't care I did last night. This morning, I'm annoyed - and worse, I feel guilty about it. But I have to remember, it's not the subject, but the way it's been presented that's getting to me.

I think this speaks toward the direction news has gone lately. The other day I was talking with my grandma about the poor transitioning that we see on news programs today (both 24 hour channels and local evening news). The talent just must not be there in the writing staff, because it's just plain cheese and it occassionally makes no sense. Same goes for the reporting. It's few and far between that anyone says anything with meaning - when someone is really good (my liking or disliking nonwithstanding, I think there are a handful), the public gloms onto it, until it too becomes just as cheesy and overblown as the rest.

Americans want quality over quantity, I believe - but it's our behavior that propagates (generally, not individually) the opposite.

Some of the personal accounts are amazing. As stupid the quotes that come from average people may be, it's a heck of a lot more listenable than anything else, and it put me in their shoes.

One lady described how the free fall felt, the thud, and watching what appeared to be someone flying upward. Now that's interesting.

Bridge collapses in Minneapolis...journalists scramble to collect usual quotes
 

My best friend Brea and her family live there. I haven't heard any word from any of them yet. I'm praying they are all safe. I'm not sure exactly where my friend works either i do know the area i think since i did visit there in 2005. Not knowing really stinks. I'm just worried til i get word.