<What the hell is up with that? Every living ex-president except Reagan was there. The whole Congress was there. How did this religious ceremony turn into the Bill and Al show?

At work and missed it, Tom, but I'll probably get it later -- or not.

A single feed because electrical power in Lower Manhattan is at a premium? ...But no -- I take it you’re referring to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.? If so, the little cracker sure gets around, don’t he?

At the moment, President Bush is indisposed, therefore leaving the media with nothing to do but follow the ex-presidents around for some glimmer of what is today referred to as "news", but just a few years ago was referred to as "make-news" and “sensationalized news” (or tabloid reporting). They seem want Americans to note the differences between the two, Bush and Clinton, and to realize how concerned Clinton is, compared with the notably absent president. In reality, I have no doubt he is concerned, but really no more than anybody else in this land.

And of course Bush is absent, damn it. The man's got a job to perform, and it ain't gonna be an easy one. The media, though, cares little to nothing of this. It’s a ratings play, so the networks all jump on the “feed”-wagon at the National Cathedral.

Problem:
This leaves them all vulnerable to the whims of a single director, one with a bug up his butt about politics in general. We don’t know what his problem is with the former administration, but it’s apparent it exists.

There you have it. You see, they all learned young about the power they wield over this nation's ideals. Remember how the media traumatized America with their slanted “what the Army is hiding from you” reports from Vietnam, and the same later from Grenada and Panama, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort. We need the information, but reporters are, sadly, our only avenue from which to obtain it -- aside from doing the legwork personally, and who could ever afford that?

The media will continue to piss you off, because you know better, but you'll be even more pissed with your own neighbors who buy into all this tripe, hook, line and sinker. You're living through a very special time right now, Tom. Remember it well, because in another 30 years, the history books will copy it all from the media -- and get a lot of it very wrong.

Dan