Margo, that is exactly what we do. Keep the TV off! In fact, we watch very little TV news. Since the advent of 24-hour news channels, it seems they are desperate for something to put on the air and milk every tragedy or even semi-newsworthy event for every drop of information.

I used to be addicted to TV and news. One of the things I discovered on our 42-day cruise last year when I didn't have as much access or time to watch, the news basically stays the same, just the name and locations change. I could go for a week or two without much news, turn it back on and it was the same car chases, bombings, child molestations - just places and names changed.

It's pollution of the worst kind. Alan believes we should write the advertisers saying we won't buy their products as long as they support such shows. Of course that means we have to watch them to find out who the advertisers are. Too much trouble for me. I'll just keep the TV turned to our cable music stations and enjoy my un-polluted life.