These are special times: being in the presence of an inspiring leader so close to plucking the largest fruit in the political orchard: the presidency. I know friends who participated in the anti-Vietnam movement felt similar. Many think there will be even more magic once the nation is united after he wins. Oh, if only that were true. Such moments are rare and brief at best. The closest we ever came in my lifetime was the first year or so when JFK was president and, take it from me, it doesn't even approach the intensity Barack supporters feel now; or what they will feel not too long after he wins.

    What is to be is never as good as what we imagine.

    I've never felt this "magic" that Barack seems to bring to others. I don't regret it, but I do understand it. It's a lot like love, or being on stage, or what Conservatives felt when Barry ran and then when Buckley gathered broken Goldwater supporters together under the warm embrace of The National Review. Movements, no matter what political orbit they take, do have that in common. I'm sure Hitler, Roosevelt and Churchill supporters also felt this way in the early years: before it all helped to create a "perfect storm:" WWII.

    Yes: what is to be is never as good as what we imagine.

    This is not just a political phenomenon...

    Acting has a magical element to it where, unlike some past campaign, or lost love, one can almost relive gone moments. I know Mohawk Valley Community College called many of us fellow "drama 'queens'" back a few years ago to honor the anniversary of the Drama Department by doing a reader's theater production. In a similar fashion, in the musical: Sunset Boulevard, Norma gets called back to the film stage after her career melted away and relived that career for a brief moment...

"I don't know why I'm frightened
I know my way around here
The cardboard trees, the painted seas, the sound here...
Yes, a world to rediscover
But I 'm not in any hurry
And I need a moment"

"The whispered conversations in overcrowded hallways
The atmosphere as thrilling here as always
Feel the early morning madness
Feel the magic in the making
Why, everything's as if we never said goodbye"

-As If We Never Said Goodbye, from Sunset Boulevard

    We tried to make our own reliving of who we had been into an annual event. And much like the "anniversary over; let's move on" response to our requests, Norma found out they had just wanted to use her antique car for the production. Providing one huge neon light warning for all those special moments whether you be in love, actor or activist: everything ends. Post election day things will change no matter who lives in the White House. People will split and become disenchanted. Barack's star will shine less brightly and what seemed pure will seem soiled from time to time. This is how life is: political, religious, romance...

    David Wilcox has a great monologue he does before one of his songs. He says that love is like being on a carousel. I imagine it could apply to any special moment occupied by more than one person. Together you reach the top. You can see so far; everything is clear and... just then... during that most magical of moments... your partner climbs out into mid-air: leaving you dangling there asking; "How can you do that? Why would you do that?"

    How? Not sure.

    Why? Because it's some crazed law that Mother Nature, God, Satan or, my personal favorite: gremlins, have weaved into the very fabric of the Universe.

"Preserve your memories: they're all that's left you."

-Paul Simon "Friends"

"Just across the sea on this world so round
the sun's shining hot right now.
And even though the winter still surrounds this town
I can still feel that sun somehow.
When I know that my sun will shine just as sure as this world can spin,
I can hold on fine, cause it almost time, for that sun to come 'round again."

David Wilcox, from his song: It's Almost Time

    Don't despair, the carousel will turn again. No two rides are the same but...

    ...maybe that's the point. They wouldn't be special; so treasured, if they were.

                                                              -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.

    If so, then put a gas escaping needle in it, Ed, before you explode and splatter all over us like Rush so often does.

    Dorothy was far less clueless when she landed in Oz than some talkers when it comes to FOX and other Right-leaning media sources. If only I could advise them as they drive to the studio. Oh, I know, I hate back seat drivers too but... yeah, I'm going to insist on doing it anyway.

    Preemptive warning: I am not an "Ed-head." When I first heard Ed I thought it was Limbaugh trying to get richer by pretending to be a Left talker too. Their style is very similar, right down to the annoying ego; only as much as I dislike Rush, Ed is no Rush. Rush is obnoxious, full of himself, a liar, out to "do your thinking for you..." but he is quite talented to an extent that Ed isn't. Now it is the kind of talent Goebbels would be proud of, but talent it is. Plus, he has a great spoof writer that comes somewhat close to Smothers Brothers quality. How close? Not even close enough for even a Laugh In Fickle Finger of Fate Award, but at least the attempt is there.

    Ed could take lessons, but then there's that blimpish Limbaugh-like ego that probably prevents such.

     So I'll bet you're surprised that I am about to defend Ed... cringe. Invited to appear as a guest they immediately did what they always do with any guest they disagree with: ask a barrage of questions but not give him enough time to answer, while ridiculing him after every four or five words he somehow managed to blurt out. Such programs: no matter who runs them, are not "talk shows" in any sense. They are public lynchings.

     If I hosted a talk show I would have my policy right up front: before any calls, or words escape my lips. You call my show, or I could go on your show; but I talk... you talk... then I talk. The rest follows that pattern. If we happen to interrupt each other we apologize and stop: then let the interrupted talent finish. If you feel I'm going on too long then politely say, "Ken, I need to get on with this." If you think I won't stop, hang up and call another show. If I feel the same about your call, if I feel I need to, I will warn you and if I must: I also will hang up.

      Come on my show and you would know right up front that this is a no talk over; no filibuster, show, Buster. Being polite and respectful to each other would be the rule: though not necessarily whomever else; or whatever group, either of us are slamming.

    I know: it would probably wouldn't last even if anyone ever did hire me to do a talk show. Seems; as long as it vindicates their own opinion, everyone wants the lions to eat the guests, I guess. Ironic how they complain only when it doesn't make their favorite pundits or pols look good, isn't it?

     Ed Schultz has a similar rule, though not as strictly enforced as I would enforce mine... or as strict in general. So when he went on Fox and Friends, without making sure the audience and the hosts know right up front he has to be respected, not interrupted and talked over constantly, it was no surprise that's exactly what they did. Then, when he stood up and walked out, they just laughed about it.

     That can be fixed too. You stand up but don't walk out, watching the lights on the camera: don't say anything until they shut up. Just keep standing and look into whatever camera has the light on; arms folded. Wait for them to ask why you are standing, then talk straight into the camera explaining why you are about to walk out unless they stop acting like unruly chimpanzees. Explain it again and again no matter how much they interrupt or jeer. Basically: freeze their "eat the guest" format until they start acting like responsible adults.

     Bad TV? Horrible radio? Yes, would be; and that's the point. You do whatever will takes to make them suffer from a loss of viewers/listeners until they act human, not simian.

     Sidebar time!

     I can see it in my head now: a U-Tube with Fox and Friends jumping all over a guest: interrupting him or her, and splice in scenes of chimps going nuts while sitting on a similar set.

     But Ed walking out? Yes, I understand. Under certain circumstances I might do it too. My main critique of Ed is he was naive, hadn't planned for the obvious result and gave up too easily. But I willingly admit: after I tried my plan;and if it failed, maybe I would have walked off too.

     Or maybe I'd just bring a bunch of bananas and start peeling them while they blathered. Then toss both peels and bananas at them declaring over and over the discussion will continue when they act more human and less like raving, rabid, insane monkeys.

     Everyone knows what monkeys do in their cage at a zoo that makes Mom and Dad cover their little boy's eyes and move on to the next cage. That's all this style of "talk" is. They sneer and smear our TV screens and radio waves nationwide with this slime, and it's about time people like Ed turn it right back on them: revealing them for who they really are.

     Monkeys with less morals than a jackass.

     Only the jackass is probably smarter.