one thing about american media, and in turn shapes american thought and the people, i think is that it tends to focus on the present and hype it up. once that story has passed, the media moves on to find the next big thing. for example, in local news i've noticed a story in the morning while i eat breakfast and then when i return home from work i expect the evening news to give more coverage of it because that's usually how it goes. but if inbetween those two times there is a bigger story, fat chance of you ever hearing about that smaller story again. if it's a really big story, you would think the coverage would last longer, but i don't think that's the case either. the media covers the piece until you are numb but where's the followup? i haven't heard a thing about afghanistan since shortly after 9/11. it's now 2 years since hurricane katrina and has the news told me anything about how recovery efforts have gone with comparisons of before katrina and what the city looks like now? i might have heard a blurb but that is it. in this way, i think the media is forgetful and that is why americans are forgetful. i also feel like the media doesn't cover news from abroad and that's why americans don't know what is going on in the world. of course, i can't blame anyone for what i don't know. if you want to know about something, you must do the research. only you can take care of yourself and that goes for all aspects of your life. that being said, please enjoy this 2 year anniversary of katrina article from democracy now. it's long so it's not for those with short attention spans.