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Feb 23, 2004 Am I imagining things, or do politicians never (and I mean NEVER) answer questions directly. I must admit, I am somewhat of a political junkie. There is nothing like a presidential election to bring out the freaks, lunatics and psychos. If you like the wave of reality television shows consuming the airways divert your remote from CBS, ABC, and NBC and check out Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. You think the gang on Survivor is cut throat and vicious, check out Ann Coulter, Terry McAuliffe, or Bill Press. If you aren’t watching those cable news channels you are missing a three ring circus, complete with geeks, jugglers, and a wide variety of clowns. The most entertaining events are when a hard core Conservative and a far left Liberal are duking it out on the Hannity and Colmes or the Chris Matthews show. It elevates the word “bias” to a new level. It always amazes me how a simple question that requires a yes or no answer can be interrupted in vastly different ways. Book Charlie Rangle and J. D. Hayworth on the show and watch the fur fly. After viewing an hour of political ideologs fire darts at each other I question how our country prospers and survives. Of course, who you believe and cheer for depends on where your roots lie. I am making a concerted effort to hide my political persuasion in this piece in an attempt to convey neutrality. As I listen to the various talking heads espouse their beliefs I sometimes scream at the screen, “ask him about his last vote on tax cuts,” or “pin her down on the immigration issue.” I envision myself grilling the guests and asking the questions that never seem to be asked at the appropriate time. If I were the host of my own political news show these are some of the questions I would ask every guest sitting across from me. “How much yearly income makes you a ‘rich’ person?” And as they attempted to give a speech or answer a question I didn’t ask, I would cut them off in mid sentence and demand: “no, a one word answer. Give me an amount in dollars or I will throw your lying butt of my show! How much yearly income qualifies a person as rich?” Obviously my show wouldn’t last the week. I would never be able to book political guests if they believed they actually had to answer my questions directly. My next question would be—“do you consider your self an objective person who gives honest answers at all times?” They would undoubtedly answer “yes” at that question; however it would be great to have some of these blowhards on record for future reference. At the risk of divulging my political leanings, here is my list of the phoniest political celebrities in recent times. They are placed in order of most offensive. 1. Al Gore (nobody, left or right could possible argue with his selection!) 2. Jesse Jackson 3. Hillary Clinton 4. Chuck Schumer 5. Dianne Feinstein 6. Barbara Boxer 7. Chris Dodd 8. Terry McAuliffe 9. Howard “the Duck” Dean 10. Al Sharpton ------------ About the author: Pete Whalon lives in Redondo Beach, California. He is in the process of self-publishing his first non-fiction book called; The Saigon Zoo: Vietnam's Other War; Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n Roll" a humorous (yes humorous) account of his 22 months serving in Vietnam in 1969-70-71. It should be for sale by June 1 of this year. Email Pete Whalon: kinoman7@aol.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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