If you're looking for my column of faith and the bible, please "tune" into this same digital "network" next Monday or Tuesday. I had to rush out this edition of Inspection because I feel the topic is important.

   Why I'm typing this I'm not sure. My guess? No one will pay attention. No one will read: grab and run with my advice I give at the end of this edition of Inspection. The cannibalization of the Democratic Party from within will probably continue by both sides feasting on each other, while McCain... and a somewhat reunited Republican Party, will sharpen their teeth. It's almost as if all the followers of Hillary and Barack have invaded the body politic: as represented by their chosen candidates, and are ready, willing and quite able to burst forth like the creature in Alien. The only thing that saves my sanity is I'm sure that folks like Jon Stewart will do their best to dress up these vicious creatures in a top hat and cane and help them dance off stage singing...
 

"Hello, my baby
Hello, my honey
Hello, my ragtime gal..."

   In 2004 Jon said, "Please don't make my job easy." We sure seem determined to do that again in 08. Sad to say this Democratic Party faction need to devour itself is a hell of a lot older than that Mel Brooks movie, or even all the Sci Fi it spoofed.

    During my last Inspection I mentioned that I would vote for whoever gets the nomination. But if the party continues down its present path it will be a wasted vote.

   You may ask...

"Why 'wasted?'

    First, I'm going to set a few ground rules here. This is not going to be some sandbox like, "He did it first/She did it first..." or "worse," or "more," type of column. At this point I really don't care and pursuing that will absolutely animate that little, hungry creature even more than it already is. Frankly, I'm beinging to wonder if he's wearing The Mask. I also don't perceive this, despite my own obvious, personal, political skew as only a Democratic Party issue. I would no more wish this kind of racial, sexual, bashing on Republicans than Democrats. If we were arguing about who was more "Roosevelt-ish," or "more Liberal," or more anything that's more political philosophy or policy oriented... no problem. That's what we should be doing.

    But who is a racist, or uses code words, or who doesn't shake somebody's hand, or who is a sexist...

    Well, if I actually cared at this point I would buy some rats, remove their posteriors... and give them to you. But, personally, I don't give a rat's... about that. In fact I didn't think it was a discussion we needed to get in to begin with and even less now.

   Why? Because we're into political end game now. The Republican machine is quickly rolling unto a conclusion: and I'll bet you know who the main target will be once that's fini'. Anyone who has ever watched any war movie, or battle in space, knows what happens if different factions don't stop fighting each other while their being attacked by the enemy too.

   Let's use a better, less partisan, analogy. I loath boxing. But, politically I enjoy a clean, and an honest, fight. No below the belt. Politically, these days, that's impossible. But when two people won't stop assailing each other, and below the belt is part of the fray (No matter who is, or isn't doing it.) are then also joined by a third party determined to take them both out... that's a definite end game. I wouldn't wish it on either party.

    Some might claim that there are elements within the Republican party who hate McCain so much, if he will be the nominee, that this will counter any angst between Clinton and O'Bama supporters. Need I remind you that, no matter how divided they may seem sometimes, the lockstep effect is incredible on that side of the fence? My prediction: they will swallow whatever disgusting medicine they have to when it comes to keeping the White House. Plus, politically, it's just a bad bet to make. It's like betting there will be no resistance when we land in Normandy because Hitler's not sure where we are landing: or sending too few troops into Iraq because we think it's going to be a "cakewalk."

    My solution?

    You're not going to like it.

    You're going to hate it.

    For me it's worse than a meal of pig's liver and Brussels sprout; and those are my least favorite inedibles. (I refuse to type, "Edibles.")

    Both candidates agree, publicly, to this...

    Whomever wins the nomination, the other becomes the VP.  Hard to choke down, isn't it? But here is what that deal would do...

1. It would immediately stop whatever under-handed tactics and race-baiting, or sexist, comments that come out of either camp. I would never claim "all," but it would certainly dry up this vast sea of poisonous, polluted, swill we are choking down and drowning in.

2. It would turn the candidate's, and most supporter's, attention back to who is most likely to be the best head of the ticket, issues and how each will change the path the Republicans have taken us down.

   Now after swallowing that icky medicine, we will get better and healthy again. Otherwise? Expect the majority of either rather large, and important, coalition to either stomp away in disgust or support the "winner" tepidly.

    That's the best way to turn any winner into a loser I can imagine.

                       -30-

Inspection is a column that has been written by Ken Carman for over thirty years. Inspection is dedicated to looking at odd angles, under all the rocks and into the unseen cracks and crevasses that constitute the issues and philosophical constructs of our day: places few think, or even dare, to venture.