Also, I set up Netflix on both of her TVs. I think that will be a big help for me (in giving her something to watch other than CNN and MSNBC which is what she usually watches 24/7 and is not the best for mental health or physical healing.)

Half my mother's friends apparently only (and always) watch MSNBC, and I do think it's making them all nuts.

Sophia, I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful person.

erin, yay for baby steps in the way of reason.

The library's closing for the second half of August is making me very sad today. I'd really like to provide service to our patrons. I strongly believe in accessibility to information and library services. But we can't continue to operate without government support, and the only support we got was in the beginning of the year, when the annual budget cut reduced to 10% instead of 30%.

Oof.

Half my mother's friends apparently only (and always) watch MSNBC, and I do think it's making them all nuts.

This I truly do not get. Are they that interested in the news? Do they feel like they need to stay informed on every little news development? I just... this seems like a pretty unpleasant thing to voluntarily subject yourself to constantly. (My FIL also has the news on in the background all the time. He lives alone and I think part of it is just liking the background noise, but still.)

My dad apparently watches a ton of MSNBC, which I only know from my mom telling me she wishes he wouldn't. I think he has been listening to her about that lately?

I, of course, get my news mostly from Facebook. So.

This I truly do not get. Are they that interested in the news? Do they feel like they need to stay informed on every little news development? I just... this seems like a pretty unpleasant thing to voluntarily subject yourself to constantly.

100% agreed!

Sophia, I am also sorry for your loss. He sounded great -- and from a young age!

My sister and BIL leave MSNBC on all day long too. I don't get it—it is repetitive and grates on my nerves. I'd so rather read my news (even if I too often end up doomscrolling the news, which is basically the equivalent...). But I'm not much one for that kind of background noise, either. I like the clink of a coffee shop but the tv is too distracting and these days blood pressure raising too.

Y'all. Why is it not Friday yet, when I get a puppy????

As far as I can tell, better MSNBC than Fox ....

any 24 hr news is crazy-making.

I think even watching 2 local news and the evening news every night is too much.

I'm usually not home when the news is on ... but I do get the newspaper every day. But that, at least, is quiet, there's a variety and I can pick and choose what I read and skim things that are marginally interesting. Also comics! intentionally funny stuff!

Yeah, pundit shows should be taken in moderation, though I do think MSNBC is better than Fox. OTOH, I'm really only familiar with Maddow and Hayes. Maybe the other shows aren't as journalistic. Even then, there are plenty of times I get the accurate-but-misleading vibe. When I take in some Fox though, it seems like there is a lot of fever dream.