the new american values

Yassar Arafat died last night. I didn't post anything because we all knew it was gonna happen and he was, more or less, a douchebag so I didn't feel the need. He was, however, a head of state and tremendously important figure in the Middle East peace process so it was appropriate for the networks to cut in to announce it...as they have for the deaths of other important figures -- even those of not so important figures like JFK Jr. and Princess Diana.

But it seems that cutting in during CSI was stepping over the line. One station has issued an apology for doing so, taking a very Ashlee Simpson approach and blaiming "an overly aggressive CBS News producer" for daring to interupt entertainment with news of international importance. It's a fine statement of what we Americans value most.