On many nights, particularly during an election cycle, surfing the cable news channels can be maddening and often downright depressing.
Last night, however, was different.
Like millions of other couch potatoes across the world, I watched as several Chilean miners -- who had been trapped a half-mile below the earth's surface for 69 days -- were freed into the arms of their loved ones.
After weeks of anguish and anxiety in that country, the joy created by this event seemed to jump off the TV screen. Being able to watch it play out live was amazing on many levels.
It was a nice break from the usual squawking about taxes, deficits and health care costs. It was nice to learn a bit about Chile, which is celebrating the rescue like many countries party after a World Cup triumph. Chile is a relatively prosperous nation surrounded by developing countries. It doesn't often get its due. I chuckled when the AP Stylebook Twitter feed reminded me "The country is Chile, the people are Chilean and the capital is Santiago."
In watching the coverage over the past few days, I learned about Chile. I learned about courage and hope. And, I learned that it's nice to get away from screaming talking heads.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
