To the media, this is disheartening. No one, of course, is going to say so. We are sensitive to accusations that we secretly crave calamity, disaster and social disorder. We can't stand being unneeded. Naturally, the street demonstrations in Seattle at the World Trade Organization meeting excited editors and reporters.
Salvation seems to lie in the presidential campaign.
The Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard did a poll in late November on the election. History suggests that the present social calm will pass. Send your comments by clicking here.