By JOHN KANELIS / johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com

The national media, which a prominent — and now thoroughly disgraced — U.S. politician once labeled “the enemy of the people,” have demonstrated time and time again their value to contemporary society.

How do I know that? Because the media have been reporting in agonizing — and, yes, uplifting — detail the experiences we have been enduring during the Deep Freeze of 2021.

It’s good to take a moment to ponder how the media have reported the good as well as the bad associated with the storm that paralyzed much of the nation, most notably the damage it did in Texas.

I also want to salute the subjects of many of the stories chronicled by the media, specifically the Good Samaritans who have answered the call to help their neighbors, family members and even total strangers who have suffered from power outages, burst household plumbing and the assorted miseries that accompany all of that.

They have raised money, transported food, delivered potable water, provided shelter or just offered a word of comfort and encouragement. I know that because the media have told their stories.

It’s been difficult at times to smile during this trying experience. Yet I have managed to shed a tear or two of joy at what I have been told is happening in Texas and across the land during this severe winter event.

Oh, and then there’s this: This tragedy struck many of us while the nation and the world battle the killer pandemic and that story, too, has produced more reason to smile. Yes, people are still getting sick and still are dying, but the vaccines have arrived and are getting injected into our bodies. The infection rate, at least for the time being, appears to be spiraling downward. 

The media are telling us that story as well.