L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Just the Facts, Please

If I would be known as an advocate
Let it be for what’s just and fair,
As I see it, telling it right and straight
The truth is not in a lot of hot air!
In any case, I would much rather
Hear the story from original sources,
Unembellished with a lot of blather
So, let me rely on my own resources.
Opinion is opinion; news is news!
Tell me in plain terms what happened
Don’t give me any secondhand views,
Or try to persuade with a chart, and
Insult me with other “expert” points
I’m not interested in the sensational,
Your network’s biased viewpoints,
News should not be confrontational.
Tell me who, what, when, and where
Work your way from major to minor
Tell me the facts and leave it there,
For me, the evening news will be finer.

Written August 14, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 8/16/2022 11:52:00 PM This is why I go to the source and ask. "Hear the story from original sources," It eliminates all kinds of trouble. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/17/2022 8:08:00 AM Absolutely. You have lots of experience at this, I am sure.

Robert Gorelick Date: 8/15/2022 8:00:00 PM So much "News" these days wouldn't have held up to scrutiny in my high school speech class. Inductive and deductive reasoning are no longer valued. Facts are irrelevant. World War ll never happened! Right on! Robert Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 9:24:00 PM I couldn't agree more, Robert. And, it's a shame!

I Am Anaya Date: 8/15/2022 7:40:00 PM The evening news would be finer...yep! I respect BBC, NPR, World and Local news. FOX, I spy on them and "hate radio" as well-- a shrilling mess! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 9:24:00 PM I'm so happy you are a discriminating watcher of the news, Anaya. You'll be better for making up your own mind.

Joe Maverick Date: 8/15/2022 3:27:00 PM Is it as reported.? Or just whats purported. To be..' what a conundrum; what type of Resort can there be? For the harried for Those who value true consistency, There must be some action to Restore satisfaction that is the Way things now have to be.' Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 4:09:00 PM Oh how I wish for the days of Walter Cronkite. I'd even settle for Huntley and Brinkley.

Terrell Martin Date: 8/15/2022 9:55:00 AM I completely agree Milton. But the larger problem IMHO is not so much the "blathering" but the blatant deceit and lack of integrity and truth of which they are reporting on. It is rampant in the majority of today's news agencies and is tearing our country apart. Thanks for the "Think" piece. Write On, Terry Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 10:01:00 AM Thanks so much, Terrell. Your comments and thoughtfulness is well-received. I couldn't agree more.

John Lawless Date: 8/15/2022 4:35:00 AM Well, I would like to comment on this poem but must first send it to the "fact checkers" in the back room and then to the spin doctors for a quick check-up, then it will be reviewed by the "pronoun" police lest it offend anyone's sensitivities. Forget it ..... someone just rescued a puppy.... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 8:22:00 AM Amen, John. I absolutely loved your comment. You got my point!

Tom Cunningham Date: 8/15/2022 3:05:00 AM It frustrates me when I hear people waffling on and I'm thinking get to the damn point. A simple yes or no will suffice. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 8:22:00 AM That's exactly how I see it, Tom. Right on! Get to the point or move on to something else!

Michael Tor Date: 8/14/2022 10:17:00 PM I agree with you Milton, wouldn't it be nice if it was so? Login to Reply Michael Tor Date: 8/15/2022 2:02:00 PM I totally agree with you... L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 8:23:00 AM Yes, it would be, Michael. Unfortunately, the 24-7 news cycle leaves entirely too much time for blather. In my humble opinion, it's one of the worst things that has happened to journalism in this country.

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/14/2022 8:34:00 PM Ha, ha! Dream on... The Entertainment Factor rules the small screens. :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/15/2022 8:24:00 AM I think there's a lot of truth to this, gw. No. It is true! I see more and more of it all the time.