What is Wrong with Occupy Wall Street?

Occupy Wall Street is now in its tenth day. It is, by all accounts, larger than most of the events that the Tea Party has organized over the past two years. However, as I look through my local newspaper, listen to my local radio, and watch my local television, I see hundreds of different stories - but not a single word in any of them about Occupy Wall Street.

Not a single one.

The Tea Party, in contrast, has done smaller events that didn't even last a full day. However, they got lots of coverage from the news media. They were, in fact, the lead story on most days.

The news media covered President Barack Obama's efforts to get support for his jobs bill. That made page eight of my local newspaper.

If the peaceful protesters in New York carried guns, maybe then the news media would cover the story.

If the peaceful protesters in New York carried signs with racist or homophobic language, instead of simply saying "Wall Street Is Our Street", maybe then the news media would cover the story.

If the peaceful protesters in New York dressed up in silly costume and showed only a fifth graders understanding of American history, maybe then the news media would cover the story.

And that, my friends, is just sad.

Once upon a time, the news media was a serious business that was run by serious people. Today, unfortunately, the local news is little more than a low budget version of America's Next Top Model.