All war, all the time: It's not healthy. Newspapers, magazines, television and radio are universally consumed with the unfolding drama of advances and skirmishes, threatened aerial bombardments and possible civil uprisings in Iraq. It does have a horrible fascination -- the ultimate reality show in action. But it is also depressing, especially as the coalition's advertised expectations of a quick, sanitized "precision war" continue to be muddied by inevitable errors and setbacks.
As spring creeps encouragingly over the land, coloring trees green and cherry blossom buds pink, it's no wonder we look for distractions. The only problem is, reliable distractions are proving few and far between. Let's consider a few.
There's spring itself, of course. What better escape from the droning testimonials of "embedded" TV journalists than a walk in the park or along a neighborhood street bright with magnolias and daffodils? Nothing, you think, could be more soothing than a warm spring day in a peaceful city. But the mind plays tricks. Thoughts of the weather set you musing on what you know of the weather in other countries, other cities.