The culture wars. Not the kind Bill O’Reilly talks about. But the kind baby-faced producers and editors think up. Like what President Obama should do. Not about the economy. Or the budget. Or the BP oil clean up. Or the Afghan mission. Or immigration reform.
Naahhh. None of the above. I’m talking water cooler conversations. Important stuff. Really critical give and take among the three remaining families in America who don’t eat dinner in front of the TV set.
Specifically, whether the Obamas should vacation in the Gulf coast. Why the Clintons snubbed the president for not inviting him to Chelsea’s wedding. The audacity of Michelle Obama exposing perfectly-honed biceps at her age. The president drinking a beer at a Wizards game prompting a woman calling in a radio talk show in Texas she wanted her president sober when he pushed the red button. And on and on and on.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, one of the savviest politicians in America and close Obama ally, said on a morning show Tuesday that it was beneath the dignity of the president to appear on “The View.”
I swear, people hold the president on a pedestal even Jesus Christ would fall from. He’s damned if he does. Damned if he doesn’t.
Obama did appear on “The View” for its Thursday show. Take that, you crackers. No he wasn’t invited to Chelsea’s wedding nor should he have been, he said.
“I think Hillary and Bill, properly, want to keep this thing for Chelsea and her soon-to-be husband.” Good answer in this arena of mush.
Said the future father of two brides: “Sorry, ya’ll probably will not be getting invited to Sasha’s wedding or Malia’s wedding, either.”
Thank God that’s put to rest. So will the idiotic dog and pony show when the Obamas vacation briefly in August in the Gulf coast.
What gets my sensibilities out of kilter is that these juvenile editors and producers that call so many shots framing our mass media discussions focus so much on fluff and so little on substance.
I enjoy a mild diversion as much as the next guy. But, can’t we have the grown-ups be in charge of these discussions, oh, say, once a month?
Cross posted on The Remmers Report
Comments are welcome. Link to my blogsite or go to my email address at [email protected] . Remmers’ varied career spans 26 years in the newspaper business. Read a more thorough resume on The Remmers Report.
Jerry Remmers worked 26 years in the newspaper business. His last 23 years was with the Evening Tribune in San Diego where assignments included reporter, assistant city editor, county and politics editor.