Dani the deer finds fame

As the case of Dani the deer closes, let’s remind some guilty parties, such as the nationally syndicated Wall Street Journal, ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the Indianapolis Star (the news source responsible for breaking the story) and most importantly, the outraged public, about their behavior.

The Indy Star identified this conflict as Gov. Mike Pence’s first hot-button decision.

They made this minor anecdote more important than an international concern that global warming is threatening the collapse of civilization, the United States is carrying more than $16.5 trillion of debt, the national GDP last quarter saw negative growth and our national infrastructure is in almost-failing condition, requiring trillions of dollars to repair.

Any of these stories should have dominated the news last week.

Instead, the Indy Star and some perspective-lacking citizens have turned a personal interest story affecting only two individuals into one of the most egregious feel-good distractions to appear in headlines in recent memory.

Many of you, swayed by the media’s sympathetic slant toward the couple from Connersville, Ind., might have only given this story your attention because you felt in your hearts that a cold, unshakable bureaucracy prosecuting these good Samaritans was just one step too far.

But don’t the larger issues mentioned above also concern bureaucracy and its cold, unshakable lack of effectiveness in the midst of a national decline?

For example, the Indy Star could have covered the current debate in Indianapolis over a proposed mass transit system that, if installed, could invigorate the stagnant downtown area.

Extensive coverage of a public issue such as that, though, would require thorough research, dry headlines and no immediate emotional appeal.

On the other hand, it’s an issue that could affect hundreds of businesses and thousands of lives.

The Indy Star journalists thought that you, as a reader, would prefer a story about a deer, and it’s safe to say they were right.

Which story is more meaningful to you as a citizen?

Which story is more insulting to your intelligence?

It’s our hope that this story has taught some critical readers that the media is often all too willing to entertain its followers at the expense of reporting news that could cause effective change.

The amount of public support the couple from Connersville received because of the insistent reporting of news sources like the Indy Star would have been better applied to so many other causes.

But who are we to let real mass suffering get in the way of adorable animals and their caretakers?