Lauren Novatne

I’ve been an avid fan of the News Hour since it was hosted by misters McNeil and Lehrer. I’m disappointed to notice that the past few years, politics appears to be increasingly the primary issue worthy of the air time. I’m emotionally exhausted by all of the constant political regurgitation of the very obvious divide in our society. It seems that continuing to focus on our wounds prevents us from focusing on what we have in common, thus impeding any healing process. My mother graduated from high school in the early 1950’s, and I have the copy of what her school gave her as a graduation gift: the pledge of allegiance and the U.S. Constitution. In reading the pledge, I noticed a single word that was changed to two, of huge consequence. Her copy has “One nation, INDIVISIBLE, with liberty and justice for all”. In school, I learned: “One nation, UNDER GOD”, with liberty and justice for all”. I’m a devout Christian, and I love my atheist friends just as much as my devout friends of Christian and non Christian faiths. Replacing those words could have initiated the beginning of the division that continues to grow and fester in our society. My life experiences have taught me that what you focus your mind and will on influences what you see. Please, can the News Hour not “drink the Kool Aid” of negativity and fear? I miss the calm, analytical presentation of a variety of important news stories about more topics than national politics that had been the hallmark of the best network news available. Yes, we live in a time of great stress and uncertainty, and the divisions need to be respectfully considered. When more than half of any news reporting is based on political turmoil, it’s difficult to gather the fortitude to return to rational analysis. Thank you for your work, my intention in writing was communicate that there is more for us to share about our world at this time. Please share some of those stories. Respectively, Lauren Novatne PBS Nerd and News Hour Devotee for decades 🙏