I've been busy with the newspaper lately, more so than with the other things I try to get done. For instance, the election was last week and I spent most of the night at the newspaper. That helped me learn something about myself: I'm not 18 any more. Staying up until late at night used to be little more than an unhealthy diversion, now it's down right traumatic. I finally got into bed early Wednesday morning, somewhere around 2 a.m. By somewhere around 6 a.m., I was awakened by the pitter-patter of little feet and the sound of cartoons being broadcast in my living room courtesy of Public Broadcast Television.

I eliminated paid television a few years ago in favor of no television at all. Well, nothing other than what I could pick up on a set of rabbit ears. Then the signal changed over to digital and my little rabbit ears didn't work as well as they had early on. So I opted to install an antenna system after I learned an old UHF aerial—found discarded in a pile of scrap metal—actually would be perfect for the new digital television signals. After that, I added a few pieces of equipment, like a metal pole with a motor to turn the aerial and a booster to increase the signal, all purchased at a local electronics store. When the government offered coupons for digital converter boxes, I picked up a couple of those as well.

Now I get clear and crisp digital signals; perfect broadcasts of more shows than I care to watch. I'm glad it's all free, because there's not much value to be found in television. The networks broadcast mostly shows displaying promiscuity, murder, inappropriate or lewd behavior and so-called 'reality shows.' I don't really care how well Lawrence Taylor can dance (or about his recent criminal accusations) or if some random people can sing, or how well some other group of weirdos can do at 'surviving' several weeks on a third-world country diet in a tropical paradise. I don't even care if they walk around in their underwear and sleep outside without bathing or brushing their teeth.

So, that leaves a few news broadcasts, occassional sports and Public Television. PBS is the best of the lot, with many historical and travel shows. Recent shows like "Road to Memphis" about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and "Prince Among Slaves" about the life of Muslim Prince Abdul Rachman of Futa Jalon are exactly the kind of programming I like to watch. I had actually read the book about "Prince," as he was called by his captors, before seeing the show, so I doubly enjoyed that. While I can usually find something on PBS to watch, everyone in the family doesn't agree. Everyone else calls those shows 'boring.' Henceforth, the kids instead want to turn to PBS Kids. My female counterpart wants to watch some guy playing a cello, a ballet or a foreign-language opera that none of us can understand. I'll start watching the opera as soon as I become efficient in speaking Italian. Let's face it, it's hard enough to understand what those people are saying when they sing in English.

Since I usually don't watch cartoons and they don't have much time to do it in the evening, they then turn them on, with plenty of volume, almost as soon as they get out of bed. Cartoons are like a bell around a cow's neck—it's always good to have that notice that the children are awake. It's even better when one has had in excess of four hours of sleep. At least I finally know how my parents felt when Bugs Bunny came blaring over the television set in the family living room every Saturday morning at 7 a.m., assuredly waking everyone in the house with that theme song that I can call up in my mind as clearly as if it were yesterday. Since that was about the only time cartoons were on, I would be up bright and early to ensure I didn't miss anything between 7 a.m. and just before lunchtime. I would also sometimes get to watch "Tom and Jerry" or "Scooby Doo" after school, but I don't think those old cartoons are aired now on local stations.

In fact, whenever the kids get the opportunity to go to Grandma's house, that's one of the first things they do. Well, after they eat. She has a satellite receiver and gets at least half a million channels, among which are numerous cartoon networks.

While they're watching educational television at home, all of it will turn that grey matter between the ears into lukewarm jelly with ample exposure.

A recent study suggests that every hour of television for a two-year-old adds to the likelihood of obesity, attention deficit disorder and the probability of eating unhealthy foods and being under-exercised as a 10 year old. Try sitting down at the television and counting the number of commercials that have to do with eating. Then count the number that concern unhealthy, processed snack foods, fast food restaurants and soft drinks. Well, that might not be necessary, since there aren't many commercials for broccoli. It's scary how much of this stuff is being pitched to children.

Besides food-mercials, others tell kids what toys to want, what clothes to wear and what kind of cell phone is 'hip.'

Besides, every moment spent watching television is a moment that could have been spent exercising, learning, doing something productive or even just talking and spending time with the family.

I have considered going 'TV free.' A few times I have instituted "No TV Week" and found it quite refreshing. Everyone seems to go to bed earlier. Actually, I should admit that I stay up to watch the 11 p.m. news and would normally go to bed at least an hour earlier. In addition, we would spend more time together, the kids would find more imaginative games to play and we'd be more rested. Why aren't we TV free? Maybe we lack the imagination and drive to occupy our time and our minds without it. I hope not.
 

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