MAJOR NEWS SOURCE

With fewer and fewer people read the newspapers, the network morning shows – Today, Good Morning America, and The Early Show – are increasingly important. Two hours long with identical formats, they have become major news sources for large numbers of people who are half-listening as they dress, eat, and get ready for work.

The lead story on all three shows this morning was the unfortunate comment made by Rev. Jesse Jackson on FOX News. Off the air and unaware that his microphone was “hot”, he whispered that he disapproved of Obama’s comments about dead-beat dads in the black community, and then said, “I’d like to cut his ¬____ off.” The word was bleeped but you can easily fill in the blank.

FOX News, of course, a beacon of ethics for the entire news community, couldn’t air the tape fast enough. Nevertheless, this is a non-story. Jackson’s opinions, suggestions or comments are irrelevant, as is he. Yet the three morning shows replayed the tape, assessed the damage (or aid) to Obama, interviewed political consultants . . . it was non-stop.

The second story – once again, on all three shows – was the exoneration, through DNA, of John and Patsy Ramsey in the murder of their young child, Jonbenet. Talk about a cold case! This murder happened twelve years ago; Patsy Ramsey has been dead herself for two years. Could there possibly be something less important for the average American to catch up on before work?

On the other hand, the real story of the day – passage of the new FISA bill – got a ten second blurb in the “news” segment. This bill, which Sen. Russ Feingold called an assault on the Constitution, was mentioned in passing, received no discussion or analysis, and was quickly forgotten.

The Golf Channel is looking better and better.

MILITARY SERVICE

While I deeply respect the men and women who volunteer for the military, risking their lives in war so that the rest of us can live ours in peace, it does not necessarily mean they would make good presidents. Retired Gen. Wesley Clarke recently started a firestorm when he commented that he didn’t feel Sen. McCain’s military service qualified him, per se, to be president. I’d like to agree. In fact, I do agree.

It should be pointed out that Dwight David Eisenhower was the supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe, an executive position to say the least, long before he was elected. He made a pretty good president. On the other hand, Audie Murphy, who was the most highly decorated soldier of WWII, wasn’t even a good actor. I seriously doubt that he would have been a good president. Patriotism and valor simply do not automatically translate into political competence.

I am grateful to Sen. McCain for the service and sacrifices he made for his country. If someone wanted to give him a prize for that I wouldn’t be opposed. I just don’t think the prize should be the Oval Office.