Too Soon

This is a copy of a recent correspondence I sent to the offices of CNN:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I do not own a television nor do I plan on buying one in the near or distant future. I prefer to be updated about the goings-on in the world through the warmth of a freshly printed newspaper, not the cold and heartless corporate-controlled idiot box that is television. So, as you may surmise, I was unaware of the imbecilic nature of your reporters, program directors and your cable television channel in general. I became aware; however too late for my own good.

I had been bargain hunting the local farmers market for some foliage, hoping it would add some inspiration into my apartment. After I had put up with all the brow beating, price gouging, and spanish speakers that I could handle, I decided to take refuge in the comfort of a locally and independently owned book shoppe. Just walking through the aisles of paper, ink and bindings calmed my overstimulated mind. I could feel a connection with each and every sophisticated, yet undiscovered author, whose works bemoaned their own unfulfilled presence.

After deciding to purchase the latest novella from Francios Bourdeux, prétentieux, and a very enlightening and heartfelt collection of poetry by Emilia Appetalia, I made my way to the sales person working the cash register. I was aghast as I peered over the counter to see this lout gawking at the sickly glow of a television.

"Please extinguish that machine and ring up my purchases!" He did not immediately heed my statement, but instead replied, "Oh man, they killed al-Zarqawi, take a look," to which I erroneously complied only to be greeted by the face of a dead man.

I can only assume that the image you displayed was of this al-Zarqawi character, but all I could see was the face of my dearly departed cat, Sir Mackenzie, who had recently ceased to live; 5 years and 6 months ago. I was too distraught to continue my transaction and ran out of the store a teary-eyed mess and bicycled to my residence as quickly as my legs would allow.

I feel your decision to not only speak of a person dying, but to then show a dead person was highly irresponsible. I am sure I was not the only person grieiving the recent death of a loved one and was thrown into an emotional tailspin by your errant discussion of death. I can only imagine how many millions of people had their days adversely affected, nay, ruined by your report. What good can come of uttering such mentally, emotionally, and spiritually jarring things? Nothing. That is, unless your intention is to scar the public at large.

In the future I would suggest that you give warning before you touch on topics that are so assured to upset your viewers. Or an even better approach would be to not discuss such matters at all.

Dismayed,
Douglas Sinclair



I have yet to recieve a response through the mail, and have learned from people I have spoken to that they have yet to apologize on air.