like it's not Obama's approach you don't like as much as it is the audience's response and in that case I'd agree with you. I get very bristled at idol worship in this country whether it's for Michael Jordan, George Clooney, Barack Obama, Dick Cheney, Rush Limbaugh, you name it.

Having respect for someone's accomplishments and abilities is a whole different ballpark from swooning and fainting at the sight of them.

The few times in my life where I stumbled across someone famous out and about in the world, I of course had that little moment where you get a bit of a wow factor but that's normal just for the realization of coincidence that you're in the same place as someone else who's familiar to you. But that fades very quickly and I find myself thinking - This poor guy or gal has no desire at all for me to come up and fawn about them. They're just out enjoying their lunch or shopping.

Then my own ego kicks in and I realize that no matter what that person does for a living and what talents they have, I have my own talents that probably eclipse them in other areas. If I came across Obama I'd know that although he'd beat me in a test of knowledge about the law and government, I'd kick his ass in racquetball, sing him under the table, blow his mind with my computer programming abilities, and build a house with my hands while he was still getting the building permits.

The people at the town halls ought to be there for one reason, not to get their little 15 minutes of fame but to truly communicate their own concerns about the issues and learn a bit in the process. However, our society stresses this idolatry in every aspect of our lives these days.

So, I wouldn't blame Obama for going to the people. That should be refreshing. My guess is he's not going just for the ego boost. I'd blame the people for acting like idiots.

Art