A Lack of Standards...

On a daily basis, I read dozens of articles from a wide array of Israel's media outlets. Of late, I have been troubled by some of the things that I have been reading. Over the course of the past week, I have read articles that contained the word "sh*t" at least half-a-dozen times, an article that included a quote that used a rather distasteful reference to colored people (rhymes with trigger), and in a third, a security officer involved with implementing SHaron's "Disengagement" plan making reference to "wet dreams".

I recall, while growing up, when the show NYPD Blue came on the air, and it was a big deal because they had fought for the right to be able to show partial nudity. Today, from what I understand, one of the most popular shows on TV is a show called "Desperate Housewives" which appears on ABC - a channel that anyone with a TV receives. No longer does one need to subscribe to channels like HBO, Showtime or Cinemax in order to have access to shows filled with sexual innuendo, lewd conduct and scantily dressed women.

Here is what the show is about:

A primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on "happily ever after," this new hour- long drama takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem.

From her unique vantage point, Mary Alice sees more now than she ever did alive, and she's planning to share all the delicious secrets that hide behind every neighbor's closed door in this seemingly perfect American suburb.

This leads me to a question for which I do not have an answer:

Which came first, a decline in societal values and morality, which is reflected in the media and entertainment industry, or, were these outlets the cause for the decadence that we now find plaguing our societies and invading our homes - whether on TV, radio, newspaper or internet?

If we, as Jews, believe in creating a society that reflects our beliefs, values and principles, than this can't be something that we take lightly. I don't have answers as to what actions can be taken, but I do know that this is something that demands our attention. These messages enter our consciousness in many ways, and it is almost impossible to shut them out without putting up thick and high walls.

As I see it, we have 3 choices:

1) Cut ourselves off totally from the modern world
2) Accept the fact that this a fight we can't win, and accept the consequences that go along with this issue
3) Find a way to help create a better reality...