What do you think about this 24-hour per day live tv coverage on the war?

I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I'm sort of drawn to seeing what is going on first hand. On the other hand it makes the entire thing unreal. Like watching a made up tv show which sort of glorifies war with the goal being ratings and money.

I can't decide on being disgusted with journalism or thankful. What do you think?

I'm horrified by it sometimes. I recently read a Salon article about this very thing you're talking about. Watching it live makes it all the more hyperreal and surreal all at once, and the rub is that you're safe from snipers and bombs -- safe in the comfort of your warm and cozy living room.

I don't watch this war on TV. I listen to other commentary but do not/will not watch live footage. Honestly, if I'm going to see it, I want to be there, not here. (Too old anyway, I am too old to be there.)

I rarely watched tv too..until now. I'm watching de coverage every now and den. I hope dis ended quickly...everyday as it goes more casulties

War is the Ultimate Reality Show.

Personally, I don't watch TV.

I try not to watch CNN and the like because they tend to speculate, sensationalize, and report rumors to try and fill up the time. Anyway I read internet news sources, and I try to read ones from all over the world to get a better perspective.

I don't watch too much TV either. That being said, I do not think the war should be seen on TV. Not sure how many people know or not, but the things you see on TV are very rarely what actually happens. You see what the government wants you to see. The reason for this is simple - public support. The more people see, the more "knowledgable" they THINK they are. The mass of the population has no clue of things that happen. I say this from experience. I just returned (last december) from an overseas deployment. i was gone for a year. It was amusing to look at CNN and see the place where you were. But to see it shown in a misleading light was disturbing. The general public has no clue - they just have what the government wants them to see.

Aaliane Wyndryder
63rd Druidess of Tunare

"I don't mind about the war, that's one of the things I like to watch, if it's a war going on, 'cause then I know if -- when our side's winning, if our side's losing..." -- excerpt from Amused to Death by Roger Waters.

Sums up nicely the unreality of what war really is by watching it spoon fed through national networks who's interest goes beyond simply reporting facts.

Darnit, I was going to post that Roger Waters quote :)

I think it's interesting watching the war on TV when there's actually something going on. During all the time when there is nothing going on and they have a camera fixed in Baghdad showing (tada!) absolutely nothing happening... that's a bit much :)

I don't think people have to watch it, or should even want to; however, those are our troops over there. War is a reality. Not watching the war does not make it less real or less brutal. I think it is a great thing that the war is on TV, it allows the world to see what is really going on.

"Like watching a made up tv show which sort of glorifies war with the goal being ratings and money."

Um... what else would you expect? That's what it is. That's a good working definition of a 'newscast'. I wouldn't confuse it for journalism -- at least not the old-fashioned notion of journalism when it was respectable and independent.

"when it was respectable and independent"

When was this?

That is a funny notion.

I was watching this Laci Peterson stuff on the news, though. I have no idea why I was appalled and yet fascinated by her story. And yes, I am close to where it all happened.