Never trust me with a microphone.
Close friends know better.
But I recently got handed a mike at the last minute because the real MC was double-booked. Oh yeah! Woo woo!
The best part was the crowd was heavily loaded with media people.
We were working together on an event to raise money and awareness for the way HIV/AIDS is affecting East Texans from all walks of life. Not necessarily a popular topic in these parts.
Now I’m going to share with you the thoughts that popped into my head at the same moment they trusted me with that microphone. Just cus 4th of July is when I spout off about newspapers, truth, justice, and the American way.
Here’s the deal. We live in an area known for generosity. We take for granted the zillions of non-profits, church programs, and foundations that work diligently to make our communities amazingly blessed. Not to mention all the volunteer hours contributed toward good causes.
It is just part of what we all know and enjoy around here.
What hit me like a ton of bricks that evening was how much the media gets taken for granted in all this community service.
Because who would have time for volunteering if someone didn’t hold corrupt public officials accountable?
How would we know that we could count on good infrastructure in our towns and counties, freeing us to travel our roads and get where we’re going unencumbered by graft and corruption that plagues other countries, if not for our watchdog friends in the press?
And who would report the truth if there are whispers of inappropriate uses of donations in local charities or governments?
Yep, we enjoy our gatherings in peace and tranquility without ever considering how much the local press contributes to the well-being of our communities.
We read the front page with glee when we see our favorite charity honored with a lengthy article there, yet we seldom consider that all that paper and ink and overhead costs money. Do we think to support the local media with some advertising dollars now and then?
So I took the mike enthusiastically and spoke for all East Texans, thanking the local press for making their unique contribution to our communities.
And I am officially thanking this newspaper in today’s column.
Preach it, sister!
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.
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