Are restaurateurs the most important Americans for young female journalists?

I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

And who exactly is forcing you to watch Fox? If you want actual substance, read the Wall Street Journal or Bloomberg Businessweek, or just catch Business Insider on CBS... It's obvious that this specific crowd is what the advertisers are chasing.

Why on earth would anyone bother watching or commenting on them?
I mean, obviously, it’s just so incredibly vital that we all have to sit here and empathize with them. It’s a tragedy, really—our local restaurant owners are going to go completely under, and honestly, my heart just bleeds for them while they're busy complaining to the news crews.😢

Quincy:

silentridge3 As stated by: I find myself watching the news on Fox and NBC every single day. I find myself quite perplexed by the fact that this occurs on a daily basis. Breaking news just hit the wires regarding some major updates that could significantly impact both smokers and those working in the hospitality industry.Yesterday, we saw a headline claiming "someone said something regarding the smoking ban" (which was apparently vital enough to lead the news cycle), and today, we have "someone responding to that statement" (which clearly requires immediate, urgent broadcasting). Tomorrow, I fully expect some local restaurant owner to lodge a complaint about the regulations (providing us with the perfect opportunity for a televised segment), and this cycle will simply continue indefinitely. In America, roughly 30% of the population smokes, while the remaining 70% does not. Additionally, there are approximately 20,000 hospitality business owners nationwide, encompassing everything from small local cafes to larger establishments. Let’s consider a scenario where overall consumer spending takes a sudden 30% dive. Imagine if 30% of our local coffee shops and eateries were forced to shutter their doors permanently. We would be looking at roughly 6,000 small business owners—individuals who are likely more financially stable than most teachers or office workers, given they often own property and drive nice cars—having to lock up for good. These 6,000 entrepreneurs wouldn't be able to lure customers back in simply by allowing smoking inside; there just isn't a way to fix that kind of economic hit with such a minor concession. On the other hand, we are seeing people across America losing their jobs on a daily basis. Local furniture manufacturers are folding, the textile industry is absolutely struggling to stay afloat, and there are roughly 50,000 workers in the shipyards and steel mills who are either facing imminent layoffs or are already out on the street. I find myself wondering why networks like Fox and NBC don't address these matters on a daily basis. Why isn't there constant coverage regarding the current state of American furniture manufacturing? It seems quite strange that we don't hear daily updates on what a factory worker might be saying about their shifts, or perhaps discussions regarding proposed legislation aimed at providing tax incentives to that specific industry. Where is the reporting on the immediate grievances of a plant employee, or the subsequent complaints an owner might lodge tomorrow? I truly struggle to understand why such vital topics remain so quiet in our media landscape. Is it truly just because they've decided to prioritize young, untalented journalists—and the exact same type of editors who hire them? The most straightforward option would be to simply head over to a local brewery nearby.And there you go, just hanging out over a free cup of coffee. I am currently planning to interview a local brewery owner.Can you honestly imagine making a feature story out of his "tragic struggle"? It’s almost absurd. At the exact same moment that a hundred factory workers are heading home for the last time—still waiting on their final six paychecks—you have some restaurant owner standing there with tears in his eyes, playing the victim. This is the same guy who, instead of investing in proper ventilation for his business, decided to drop all that cash on beachfront property and a luxury car. It’s truly something else. It truly feels as though my entire world has been upended recently, as I struggle to navigate the immense challenges brought on by the recent ban on smoking. It is quite difficult to put into words the profound sense of loss one feels when such a deeply ingrained daily ritual is suddenly stripped away. Every morning used to begin with that quiet, contemplative moment, but now, there is only a lingering sense of restlessness and an empty space where that comfort once resided. I find myself reflecting on how much our small habits shape our very existence, and losing this one has made my daily routine feel strangely hollow and significantly more taxing than I ever anticipated....? What even qualifies as "news" or a "daily report" anymore? It’s just one endless loop of legislation regarding smoking bans, followed by constant campaign ads for Tom Bradley, then more ads for Donald Trump, and then some fluff about Kim Kardashian... only to circle right back to smoking regulations and restaurant owners. It truly feels like we're just going in circles.

Why on earth would you even bother watching that kind of news?

But look, if you find yourself stuck watching them anyway, and you're starting to wonder why things have turned out this way, the answer is actually quite simple.
To be perfectly honest, producing a legitimate news segment or a deep-dive article on sectors like shipbuilding or the timber industry requires a significant amount of rigorous research, heavy lifting, and genuine intellectual effort. It’s much easier to simply wander into a local coffee shop. There, you can easily find attractive baristas to interview or a group of people sitting in a corner to grab a quick quote from. Plus, the subject matter is instantly relatable to everyone. You don't have to spend time explaining the complexities of lumber quality, wood seasoning processes, or the intricate web of subcontractors and suppliers within a shipyard. You don't even have to explain who the primary buyers are. Consequently, we see a constant trivialization of complex issues. This media tendency toward oversimplification leads to the dilution of public discourse, which ultimately results in the erosion of critical thinking among the general public.

In short, they are simply pacifying the masses. And if there is one thing about the general public, it’s that they tend to be quite content with that status quo—in fact, they often demand more of it. They have a certain appetite for being kept in the dark; they have no desire to be burdened by any truly "heavy" or complex topics.
That is precisely why things have turned out that way for you.

Patrick Diaz2 said:Quincy:

silentridge3 As stated by: I find myself watching the news on Fox and NBC every single day. I find myself quite perplexed by the fact that this occurs on a daily basis. Breaking news just hit the wires regarding some major updates that could significantly impact both smokers and those working in the hospitality industry.Yesterday, we saw a headline claiming "someone said something regarding the smoking ban" (which was apparently vital enough to lead the news cycle), and today, we have "someone responding to that statement" (which clearly requires immediate, urgent broadcasting). Tomorrow, I fully expect some local restaurant owner to lodge a complaint about the regulations (providing us with the perfect opportunity for a televised segment), and this cycle will simply continue indefinitely. In America, roughly 30% of the population smokes, while the remaining 70% does not. Additionally, there are approximately 20,000 hospitality business owners nationwide, encompassing everything from small local cafes to larger establishments. Let’s consider a scenario where overall consumer spending takes a sudden 30% dive. Imagine if 30% of our local coffee shops and eateries were forced to shutter their doors permanently. We would be looking at roughly 6,000 small business owners—individuals who are likely more financially stable than most teachers or office workers, given they often own property and drive nice cars—having to lock up for good. These 6,000 entrepreneurs wouldn't be able to lure customers back in simply by allowing smoking inside; there just isn't a way to fix that kind of economic hit with such a minor concession. On the other hand, we are seeing people across America losing their jobs on a daily basis. Local furniture manufacturers are folding, the textile industry is absolutely struggling to stay afloat, and there are roughly 50,000 workers in the shipyards and steel mills who are either facing imminent layoffs or are already out on the street. I find myself wondering why networks like Fox and NBC don't address these matters on a daily basis. Why isn't there constant coverage regarding the current state of American furniture manufacturing? It seems quite strange that we don't hear daily updates on what a factory worker might be saying about their shifts, or perhaps discussions regarding proposed legislation aimed at providing tax incentives to that specific industry. Where is the reporting on the immediate grievances of a plant employee, or the subsequent complaints an owner might lodge tomorrow? I truly struggle to understand why such vital topics remain so quiet in our media landscape. Is it truly just because they've decided to prioritize young, untalented journalists—and the exact same type of editors who hire them? The most straightforward option would be to simply head over to a local brewery nearby.And there you go, just hanging out over a free cup of coffee. I am currently planning to interview a local brewery owner.Can you honestly imagine making a feature story out of his "tragic struggle"? It’s almost absurd. At the exact same moment that a hundred factory workers are heading home for the last time—still waiting on their final six paychecks—you have some restaurant owner standing there with tears in his eyes, playing the victim. This is the same guy who, instead of investing in proper ventilation for his business, decided to drop all that cash on beachfront property and a luxury car. It’s truly something else. It truly feels as though my entire world has been upended recently, as I struggle to navigate the immense challenges brought on by the recent ban on smoking. It is quite difficult to put into words the profound sense of loss one feels when such a deeply ingrained daily ritual is suddenly stripped away. Every morning used to begin with that quiet, contemplative moment, but now, there is only a lingering sense of restlessness and an empty space where that comfort once resided. I find myself reflecting on how much our small habits shape our very existence, and losing this one has made my daily routine feel strangely hollow and significantly more taxing than I ever anticipated....? What even qualifies as "news" or a "daily report" anymore? It’s just one endless loop of legislation regarding smoking bans, followed by constant campaign ads for Tom Bradley, then more ads for Donald Trump, and then some fluff about Kim Kardashian... only to circle right back to smoking regulations and restaurant owners. It truly feels like we're just going in circles.

Why on earth would you even bother watching that kind of news?

But look, if you find yourself stuck watching them anyway, and you're starting to wonder why things have turned out this way, the answer is actually quite simple.
To be perfectly honest, producing a legitimate news segment or a deep-dive article on sectors like shipbuilding or the timber industry requires a significant amount of rigorous research, heavy lifting, and genuine intellectual effort. It’s much easier to simply wander into a local coffee shop. There, you can easily find attractive baristas to interview or a group of people sitting in a corner to grab a quick quote from. Plus, the subject matter is instantly relatable to everyone. You don't have to spend time explaining the complexities of lumber quality, wood seasoning processes, or the intricate web of subcontractors and suppliers within a shipyard. You don't even have to explain who the primary buyers are. Consequently, we see a constant trivialization of complex issues. This media tendency toward oversimplification leads to the dilution of public discourse, which ultimately results in the erosion of critical thinking among the general public.

In short, they are simply pacifying the masses. And if there is one thing about the general public, it’s that they tend to be quite content with that status quo—in fact, they often demand more of it. They have a certain appetite for being kept in the dark; they have no desire to be burdened by any truly "heavy" or complex topics.
That is precisely why things have turned out that way for you.

I wonder how much of this is a coordinated system, you know, an intentional effort to shut down information channels. Fox, for instance, is basically just foreign media to us.

For days now, they've been spoon-feeding us stories about "struggling restaurant owners and smoking bans," while I can't help but feel like something major is happening right under our noses—something those "ambitious young careerists" and their bosses are working so hard to hide from us. Are our forests being sold off while small business owners are crying over falling revenues? What’s the deal with Exelon? How are the shipyard sales actually going?

And honestly, how can the same reporter cover the power grid one day and then pivot to talking about cookies at a local county fair the next? Is she really that brilliant and versatile, or is it all just... I don't know, completely insignificant? News is just a commodity, and it feels like Fox and local networks only produce content for viewers they consider intellectually inferior...?

What gives? Is that what advertisers want? Or maybe it's politics? Foreign politicians? Foreign capital?

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

Just stop watching. Ever since I quit following the news, my blood pressure has leveled out and my ulcers don't flare up nearly as much. It was the best decision I ever made...

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

It’s impossible that every single smoker—that entire 30%—will suddenly stop going to cafes. People are exaggerating this way too much; it's infuriating. Most people are just naive sheep who believe every sensationalist headline they hear on TV or read in the papers.

silentridge3 said:I wonder how much of this is a coordinated system, you know, an intentional effort to shut down information channels. Fox, for instance, is basically just foreign media to us.

For days now, they've been spoon-feeding us stories about "struggling restaurant owners and smoking bans," while I can't help but feel like something major is happening right under our noses—something those "ambitious young careerists" and their bosses are working so hard to hide from us. Are our forests being sold off while small business owners are crying over falling revenues? What’s the deal with Exelon? How are the shipyard sales actually going?

And honestly, how can the same reporter cover the power grid one day and then pivot to talking about cookies at a local county fair the next? Is she really that brilliant and versatile, or is it all just... I don't know, completely insignificant? News is just a commodity, and it feels like Fox and local networks only produce content for viewers they consider intellectually inferior...?

What gives? Is that what advertisers want? Or maybe it's politics? Foreign politicians? Foreign capital?

If you ask me, it's all a massive distraction designed to mask the actual state of crisis in our country.
The nation was gutted by the Republican Party—a process that really kicked off during the Gulf War era—and now they’re pivoting to blame a global economic downturn that isn't even half as bad as they claim. In reality, our own system has completely collapsed because they dismantled everything and refuse to admit it. First, they blamed the sudden drop in retail revenue on the move toward a four-day workweek—which, honestly, only a fool would buy—and now they're using smoking bans in restaurants as the scapegoat for declining business.
I'm genuinely curious to see what kind of lie they cook up next.

silentridge3 said:I wonder how much of this is a coordinated system, you know, an intentional effort to shut down information channels. Fox, for instance, is basically just foreign media to us.

For days now, they've been spoon-feeding us stories about "struggling restaurant owners and smoking bans," while I can't help but feel like something major is happening right under our noses—something those "ambitious young careerists" and their bosses are working so hard to hide from us. Are our forests being sold off while small business owners are crying over falling revenues? What’s the deal with Exelon? How are the shipyard sales actually going?

And honestly, how can the same reporter cover the power grid one day and then pivot to talking about cookies at a local county fair the next? Is she really that brilliant and versatile, or is it all just... I don't know, completely insignificant? News is just a commodity, and it feels like Fox and local networks only produce content for viewers they consider intellectually inferior...?

What gives? Is that what advertisers want? Or maybe it's politics? Foreign politicians? Foreign capital?

And which "specialized journalists" does Fox actually employ? Can you recall even a single name? They are all just little reporters who somehow landed a spot on television without ever leaving a lasting impression. None of them seem capable of investigating a lead or producing a meaningful feature story. That seems to be the requirement. They must be uniform, devoid of personality (aside from physical attractiveness, if female), lacking any real grit or intellectual depth.
Even CBS doesn't have people like that.
That is what we, as viewers, are actually looking for. Yet, Fox, the local networks, and even CBS still manage to drift along with their own versions of the news. Imagine, a network might lack enough field reporters, yet they insist on having two different news anchors every single night.

What are they hiding? They aren't hiding anything; their job is simply to lull the public into a stupor. Sleep, don't think, don't reflect, just shop and spend...

For global news, we get a mere 30 to 60 seconds. Has absolutely nothing happened in the world lately?
Is it just me, or do events only seem to occur here in America? Does the rest of the world simply not exist?

If you look at it closely, we aren't even talking about actual journalists here. We're looking at a bunch of nobodies who wouldn't have an ounce of credibility without their corporate backing. Their opinions, their work, their entire existence carries zero weight on its own. Of course they dance to whatever tune is played; the bosses are being greased by the hospitality lobby, big tobacco, or some other shadow interest. Plus, most of these hacks spend all day at coffee shops or smoking breaks, so they can't see past their own noses. It’s convenient when the orders from the top align perfectly with their own petty little interests.

It goes without saying that concepts like civic duty, the common good, or basic morality are completely foreign to them. Honestly, who would even teach them those things?
Patrick Diaz2 hit the nail on the head—calling this news is a stretch. It's just pure hypnosis...

When it comes to politics, Mislav Bago is essentially the top dog in the country🙏🙏🙏

Man, news just isn't what it used to be—and neither are the journalists. Look, I’m a smoker, but all this whining from restaurant owners and the endless drama surrounding that law? It’s driving me up the wall. It’s the exact same nonsense we saw back when everyone was losing their minds over those drunk driving laws...

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

It's quite simple: the PR budgets for big-box retailers and the tobacco industry are massive, and these are commercial networks. The entire business model of commercial television is centered on capturing eyeballs using "eye candy" (think cheap reality stars like Simona Gotovac... it's low-cost and effective) and then selling those viewers to advertisers. That’s why they focus their airtime on trivialities like whether stores should stay open on Sundays or smoking habits. The actual truth doesn't matter because nobody is paying for it.
It honestly baffles me that NBC behaves this way too. They have a public mission that we essentially fund through our subscriptions; their primary duty should be serving the interests of the American people. If an advertiser happens to benefit from that, fine, but if not, they shouldn't be ignored.

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

I’d also throw in that this is actually a pretty big deal.
Around here, people seem to think if something's free, I'll take any amount of crap they're selling.

TDR, TDR, TDR, TDR, TDR, TDR, TDR, TDR

We all know how this ends...😁

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
.
Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
.
On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

Modern TV, modern media, modern life. The stupider, the better.
People care more about Simona Gotovac than a premiere by Nikola Subić Zrinski. Nowadays, Simona is the cultural icon for most people instead of Ivan PL. Zajac.
If you ditch Zajac or someone like Liszt, well, that's just the modern world. We don't need that outdated culture anymore. Today's culture is all "urban sound, ghetto, and pop-trash." That's what's cool.😁

The real issue is that this isn't just some amateur mistake made by rookie journalists anymore. It’s gone way beyond that—we’re seeing it from university professors, the political elite, and anyone else who claims to be an "intellectual." It's all just surface-level nonsense.
But thank God for that, because they've finally been exposed.

silentridge3 said:I find myself scrolling through the daily news on Fox, or CNN...

I honestly can't wrap my head around why every single headline seems to revolve around smoking bans and bar owners. Yesterday, it was "someone said something regarding smoking legislation" (which I guess is just vital information to lead with), today it’s "someone responded to that" (as if we all need this urgent update), and tomorrow it'll be "some tavern owner is complaining about something" (so we absolutely have to see it on TV), and it just goes on and on like that forever...

In America, maybe 30% of people smoke, while 70% don't. And there are roughly 20 thousand small business owners in the hospitality sector—not just coffee shops, but everyone
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Just imagine if business for everyone dropped by 30%. Or suppose 30% of the local spots close down, meaning 6 thousand business owners—who are probably doing better financially than most teachers or blue-collar workers, given they likely own property and nice cars—have to lock up for good because those 6 thousand people simply can't attract customers unless they allow smoking
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On the flip side, you have people in America losing their jobs every single day. Furniture factories are crumbling, the textile industry is basically on its knees, and 50 thousand workers in shipyards and steel mills are either nearing the end of the line or are already out on the street...

Why don't Fox or CNN talk about them every day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what the current situation is in American furniture manufacturing"? What did a factory worker say today, or what kind of tax incentive proposal is being discussed for that specific industry? What is a factory hand complaining about today, or what will the owner be lamenting tomorrow? I don't know, why not?

Is it just because it's easier for these young, talentless reporters (and the same kind of editors they work under) to just wander into a nearby pub, where they can grab a free cup of coffee and interview some bar owner, then whip up a little segment featuring his "tragic story"? All while 100 people from some factory are walking home for the last time—likely without their last six paychecks—and this bar owner, who probably bought beachfront property and a luxury car instead of investing in better ventilation, stands there with a tear in his eye talking about how hard his life has become because of the smoking ban...?

What kind of "News" is this, really? What kind of "Daily Reports"? It's just a cycle of smoking laws, followed by ads for Tom Bradley, then ads for Donald Trump, then updates on Kim Kardashian... and then back to smoking and bar owners, over and over again in a circle...

Stop guessing numbers when we already know them—revenue is actually tanking by 50-60%. And this whole smoker vs. non-smoker ratio thing doesn't tell us squat about who’s actually walking through those doors. What if 90% of their customers smoke and only 10% don't?

That's just like telling nail salons to ditch all their female clients and saying, "Hey, why not pivot to men instead?" Then you'd have some ridiculous news segment about how "feminizing dads" means they can finally hit the salon without hearing old ladies gossiping. Total nonsense.

If the smoke bothers you, stay home.

Why aren't ABC or CBS talking about them every single day? Why isn't there daily coverage on "what's the current state of American furniture manufacturing"? Like, what did a factory worker say today? What new tax break bill is being proposed for that industry? What is a worker complaining about today, or what will the owner be venting about tomorrow? Why isn't this news?

Because it's old news! What kind of news would it be if they just repeated the exact same story for 20 years straight?

It feels like there are way too many bars and clubs popping up all over America lately. I honestly think people could stand to divert some of that capital into other types of ventures. That’s why I actually think this move to ban smoking in public is a step in the right direction.