The morning headlines went from bad to worse. A scan of The Desert Sun and LA Times did nothing for my morale.
We’re now blockading Cuba, causing residents to experience food shortages and power outages. The National Park Service is removing Native American verbiage from its displays.
Catherine O’Hara dies, while a vigil was held for “Walking Man” Ricardo Marano who was the victim of another hit and run. Prescott Preserve suffered a devastating fire to its palm trees. Worst of all: Puxatawny Phil saw his shadow portending six more weeks of Winter (we’re unscathed here – one bright spot!)
It is a lot, and for those of us who are paying attention the news cycle does take a toll. It’s a real thing – documented during the last administration. “Trump Anxiety Disorder” is recognized for raising the collective fears of Americans. Heart attack rates were 42% higher in the five days following the 2020 election than in the period prior.
Gen Z youth reported significantly higher levels of sociopolitical stress compared to older generations, with those identifying as LGBQ+ being over 20 times more likely to experience high stress trajectories during the 2020 election cycle.
And ever before the history books are written and research is done on what’s happening IRL, we can feel the impact in our psyche. That’s part of the plan, of course. But it’s hard to rise above the din and be logical about one’s feelings: We shouldn’t let it bother us, but it does.
If you don’t pay attention, maybe it’s time you do. Obviously not for the health benefits but for the stake of our republic. And if you need motivation, take it from Jelly Roll, who at Sunday night’s Grammy’s vowed to take a more active civic role. He’s quoted backstage saying, “I didn’t even know politics were f-cking real until I was in my mid-20s in jail.”
According to Billboard Magazine, he is ready to speak out. “I have a lot to say about it and I’m going to in the next week. And everybody’s going to hear exactly what I have to say in the most loud and clear way I’ve ever spoken in my life. I look forward to it.”
My guess is that it won’t be in support of what’s driving these headlines.
P.S. It’s my honor to have DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas celebrate seven years on KGAY this week! I hired them both as we started KGAY, and they stayed through thick and thin. To start year eight, Galaxy will rebroadcast his first shows from 2019 this week starting today at noon on KGAYPalmSprings.com and at 103.1 FM.
