Breaking news!

I was at the gym yesterday and noticed that three of the four plasma TV screens displayed above my elliptical machine were tuned to news stations.  I also noticed that all three stations were absolutely obsessed with Tiger Woods and his inability to play in the next major tournament due to an injured knee.  For the entire 30+ minutes I was on the machine, the story would not go away.  I have no doubt that coverage of this huge, world-changing story continued after I left.  Now, I'm no sports fan so perhaps I'm unaware of the impact Tiger Woods' ability to play golf has on my fellow Americans, the image of our country, and the rest of the world, but it just seems so insignificant compared to other major events happening on the planet. 

I know a little about why certain stories make it on the news and why they don't, thanks to the brother of a good friend who works as a news producer for a TV station.  But because I shelter myself from TV news, I'm shocked when I actually see the garbage they're shoveling.