We seem to have one of the local news shows on during or just before dinner at our house; mostly just to catch the weather...even though as we all know there are about 10,000 other ways to get your local forecast.
Anyway, while I was waiting for the weather to come on, I caught a segment about 'push mowers.' The nut of the story was that with the rise in gas prices, homeowners are looking for an environmentally friendly alternative. Now that premise is a bit hard to swallow. I mean, how much do you think you're going to save by not putting gas in a lawn mower?
But what really got me going was the term 'push mower.' To this reporter, that simply meant a push reel mower like the ones our grandfathers might have used. The reporter completely forgot or simply didn't know that there are push gas mowers, and more importantly, corded and cordless electric push mowers that are green and are a lot more practical on any lawn larger than a postage stamp, especially if you have some weeds instead of fine fescue.
The inherent laziness of just going to a local hardware store and being led around by the owner is not what I'd call good journalism. Now, we're not talking about hard news here, but all I ask for is a bit of research before you turn the camera on.
Full disclosure: Axiom represents The Toro Company, makers of both gas and cordless mowers.
