NEWS BLOG (WSAU) While Chris Christie was speaking last night, CNN ran weather-radar loop of Hurricane Isaac coming ashore. I was surprised that file-footage from Katrina 7-years ago wasn’t being used. I honestly can’t tell if the wire services and the news organizations are emphasizing Isaac-Katrina because they’re falling on about the same days on the calendar, or because of the political implications. Probably a little of both. The more cynical you are, the more likely you’d say that the timing is actually giving cover for a political agenda.

And that’s the point of today’s blog. I want the news without agenda. No spin. Let me see it, hear it, form my own opinions of it.

That may surprise you from someone whose radio station is full of opinion-based political talk.

What I want is a little breathing room to form my own opinion. Then I’m entertained and interested in seeing how my thoughts and feelings match up with someone else’s. That why I love listening to Rush, Hannity, and Savage during convention-season. After I’ve had a few hours to digest what happened last night, I’m ready to compare my opinions with theirs.

That’s also why I watch more and more of my politics on C-SPAN. All I want is the raw feed from the convention. I don’t need an instant-analysis from a talking head. Spare me the commentary when the speaker has barely had a moment to catch their breath and take it all in. The instant-feedback-loop infringes on something I value: being able to think for myself.

Chris Conley
8/29