Friday, July 26, 2013

Let's leave the 'Royal baby' alone and write about the children in Syria

I'll admit that I've been fascinated by the progeny of Prince William and the Duchess, Kate Middleton, but now that he's born and we know the name, enough.

In Syria, an estimated 6,000 children had died as of June, according to the UK's Guardian newspaper. Who knows the real number or how dramatically that number has grown; and the figure obviously swells when one adds their parents and other adults.

I realize that since the world is full of heartache, it's uplifting to focus on the future King (unless he abdicates), but neither should we ignore the pressing humanitarian issues plaguing the world today. Ditto the impact of climate change on the very children we are trying to protect.

And while the so-called royal baby doesn't deserve the hype, most certainly Anthony Weiner et al (somebody Leather) doesn't either.

As journalists, let's focus on what matters. It was painful to see Wolf Blitzer interview Miss Leather on his CNN program last night. "It really sucks," she said of the situation, before adding, "if you'll pardon the pun." Wolf Blitzer looked as uncomfortable as Prince Harry at a formal dinner party.

In addition to Syria, we need to bring to light the legions of children in America who are going to bed hungry, the young women forced into prostitution or who are otherwise living on the streets, and those with illnesses their parents cannot afford to tackle because we lack a national healthservice. We'll see how well Obamacare takes care of them, and wish for the best.

So while we toast little George Louis Alexander, let's remember he's just one more child on this planet, and I am quite certain his lovely parents wouldn't want it any other way.

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