Hess Concerned about "Commercialization of Tragedy"?
Staunch and relentless advocate for free market reform—enamored with terms such as "innovative"—Rick Hess at his EdWeek blog has offered a concern about coverage and reactions to the horror at Sandy Hook Elementary:
"But I've also been disheartened, once again, by the commercialization of tragedy. I've been appalled by news coverage that quickly bleeds from respectful to rapacious, as reporters and cable bookers find ever more angles to keep the story alive. I'm horrified by advocates and education pundits who seize upon Newtown as a 'hook' to place an op-ed or push their favorite talking points and agenda items. And I'm sickened that, in a few weeks, this industry of callow self-promotion will have casually forgotten its heart-rending sorrow, with everyone racing off to capitalize on the next Twitter meme."
To this I posted:
"Rick, take a moment to consider and then at some appropriate time (I am not being sarcastic)