Letter: Escaping the reality of war

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 | 8:54 a.m.

Regarding Jeff German's March 25 column, "Television bringing war home," in which he contended that some entertainment shows and sporting events on television can seem trivial compared to the riveting news coverage of the war:

I watched the Oscars on Sunday, the Miss USA pageant on Monday and "American Idol" on Tuesday. I did it to take a break from CNN's 24/7 war coverage, to continue my life as I normally would. We all need a break from the horrors of reality -- not a substitute for real-life drama.

Truth is, I don't need to see the despair in the eyes of a POW's mother or see graphic photos of young men who look like my brother -- who is in the National Guard but not serving in Iraq -- to be affected by the war. What if it were Jeff German's relative over there? Would he still watch as intently?

JENNIFER PROSSER

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