". . . some key [events] exacerbated the national debate, fraying trust, and national cohesion just a little more each time . . . The two-party system that had governed America . . . begin to fall apart . . . interest in politics took the place of all other forms of news-related entertainment . . . politicians were the celebrities . . . [Politics/ideology] was becoming such a habit, the reactions so automatic, that [journalists] taking sides on every news story became inevitable." .. sound familiar? this is from for Love & Liberty by Robin Young and it's about 1857 America at the start of the administration of James Buchanan.
Maybe civil war in Greece. I just posted this about a 77 yr. old guy who shot himself in main square in Athens:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2868223/posts