Which came first, the chicken or the rice rush?

News is a real clandestine operation sometimes. Reporters, producers and editors hope the world understands what they do and invite inquiries into their work. Still, most people don't care and most news people are so wrapped up in their work they overlook their responsibility to accountability.

It could be surprising then, that many story ideas start like a Jerry Seinfeld joke, "What's the deal with ..." Someone sees something curious on the road into work, hears something interesting from their child or catches a funky smell from a community stream and BAM, tomorrow's news.

That formula makes me wonder then, what exactly happened to get people so riled up about rice. It's obvious Americans won't be going hungry, EVER. So why is the news media mongering such fear about a possible shortage? Are we reporting the news, or constructing it?


The story is absurd. I hate it. I sat in on a few news meetings last month and watched as people tried to push the rice shortage story. Costco and Sam's Club limited their customers to 200 pounds a day. 200 pounds. 200 POUNDS.

Now the rising cost of keeping rice ready has pushed restaurants' hands. Someone came waltzing through the newsroom today complaining about how he was charged $1.50 for rice with his curry. Sounds like tomorrow's news to me.