We watched a delightful movie yesterday evening: “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.” What starts the story and makes the movie move is the novel idea of a governmental public relations guru that a good news report would help the image of the administration. The savvy PR lady directs her staff to give her a good news story. “Find it now!” she commands the suited crew at their laptop stations. The result of that search is what gets the movie going and the fish running to the wonder of us watching.

Where is that good news story?

Today there was scarce to be seen that was not scary in the front section of the paper. I scanned and frowned. National and metro news were generally bleak. The sports section will attract a few fans, and the food fold can stimulate the appetite, but both those pieces are back and behind the opening sections that portend little with a smile and much of concern.

I think the manic PR manager in the movie was right: “We need the good news!”

There is, perhaps, in this wish and plea a comment on who we are and where we’re at. As members of the species homo sapien, we seem often to be portrayed with a club in one hand and a burning torch in the other. It appears we are seen by some to be always looking and searching for something new, never quite satisfied with what we have; and when we find that something new ahead in the light of the torch, well — I know it seems somewhat negative to say this – but . . . there are those who would suggest we tend to use that blunt instrument in the other hand to get our way.

In fairness, it should be noted that we are the only surviving hominid. So, maybe it is important that we are this way. But and still – and I say this with no disrespect – it doesn’t seem to make for the most upbeat and light-hearted news.

Then, again and maybe I am putting too much at the feet of our bipedal ancestors. Perhaps it is not us at all but only the paper, the media, the reporting. We’re perfectly fine, quite upbeat and happily at home where we are on the byways and in the skyways of our own domains. “Blame it on the press!” the shout is heard. “It’s all the fault of the reporters.”

Well, the sensational does sell. Who wants to see the silly sideshows of Main Street, Your Town, when there are explosions, fires and those not behaving as they should?

The news is important. It is important to know what’s going on. But, isn’t there a lot of good going on, and couldn’t we see maybe a little more of that?

In the movie, they have to work to find the good news. When they do find it, they lose it. They pretty much give up. Then, it jumps up right in front of them. Not because they made it happen, but because it was always there and they just didn’t see it until then. I laughed because the fast-talking PR lady with her reporter side-kicks had driven off minutes before and never did find the real story.

The good news is there. Don’t worry. Wait until the TV trucks and sound crews leave. You’ll see it.

In just a second now,

Grandpa Jim