MARIE WUJEK MORE COLUMNS Michael Murdock and Jennifer Tripp Advertisement

As I sit here this morning looking at a photo of a 22-year-old absolutely handsome young man, dressed in camo fatigues, his arm comfortably wrapped around his beautiful mother, my eyes fill with tears and my heart becomes increasingly heavy with sorrow.

The young man is Michael Murdock, the grandson of Don McDermott, the sports editor here at the Pahrump Valley Times, and the only child of Jennifer Tripp, Don's daughter.

Don wrote an editorial last Friday in which he talked briefly of his two grandsons serving our country in the Middle East conflict. Michael was deployed to Afghanistan on June 30, and Scott is currently on his third tour in Iraq. Don had a personal interest in how our government is managing these wars. At the time he was writing his editorial, he had no idea he would be making a trip to Chocowinity, N.C., on Monday to be with his family.

Michael was killed on Sept. 11 in a northeast province of Afghanistan. His base came under attack and he was shot and killed while en route to his fighting position. Don received the news that evening, prior to his editorial publishing in Friday's paper.

Don is a simple man, with much love and admiration of family and country. In his editorial he states, "All I seek are answers to questions, solutions to problems (without making the problems worse) and common sense approaches to international situations. Shoot first and ask questions later ain't the way to stay safe." Seems a simple request in my opinion.

The point Don was trying to make is the emphasis and time spent by the media discussing and commenting on stupid, unimportant issues and one-liners when our country is in such turmoil.

In less than two months, Americans will cast one of the most critical presidential votes of their lifetime. Various media outlets have become biased and opinionated in their interpretation and reporting of daily issues, comments and happenings. I think Don's right and the American people are tired of hearing all the crap, pundits and garbage.

Attention media moguls: You are running out of time. I for one am not listening to the spin, hype and lies anymore.

The clock is ticking, the sands of time are flowing and the media is having a hay day with trivial B.S. Get with the program and cover what is important to the American people; use the time remaining to paint a clear and unbiased picture of each candidate and their party's positions and solutions.

A word of advice: Debate the issues Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama. Tell the American people how you plan to resolve the problems plaguing our country. Then go one step further and explain why your plan or solution will work.

Media anchors and hosts: Report the facts - the who, what, when, where and why. Get down to brass tacks and toenails, without injecting your personal or your station's spin and hype.

I don't want another young man or woman being deployed, kissing their loved ones goodbye only to return in a metal flag draped box.

Please, take a moment of silence and pray to your god or higher power. Ask for an end to these wars and conflicts, pray for peace and truth, and ask for his blessing of Michael and all the brave and courageous men and women that went before him.

All gave some; some gave all to protect our freedom. We can never forget the sacrifices they and their families have made -- and continue to make -- for all of us. Amen.