Abracadabra

I was watching CNN yesterday for a little comic relief. Honestly, watching Wolf Blitzer or one of his half assed cronies trying to question someone is an exercise in futility. If you don't know what solipsism is, just watch for a while and you'll get it.

In between Wolf's pretend aggression, when questioning some U.S. politician's 'real views' on world issues, and a re-count of the bodies laid low on the streets of America, there was a very interesting interview during which a 'leading' U.S. doctor talked about the benefits of walking. He has spent his life and millions of dollars in trying to quantify the years added to your life for each minute you walk. He went on to say that, 'stunningly', diet is a factor in one's health. The bottom line is 'eat well, and exercise'. I have to admit that to a country who silmultaneously controls most of the free world and consumes more Big Mac's than anyone else, it must be hard to decide what's fit for the news. I imagine a big meter, one side reading 'they get it' and the other reading 'they don't', which the producers watch by the minute, having learned that once it tips too far in one direction the ratings drop dangerously close to "Fresh Prince" re-run levels.

Like I said, I was in search of comic relief. And I have to admit that it makes me feel superior, which is a cheap shot. It's like watching Jeopardy! with the cat. He might know the answer but he can't talk. Ha ha. I always win.

I then flipped over to the House of Commons 'Question Period' to see how the Liberals were going to avoid a Christmas election and defend against corruption charges, when I suffered a blow to my national ego. When parliament first voted to open the question period to the public, via television broadcast, it was hailed as an important step in drawing the public into the political process. Now, I can see the merits of governing in secret. The process means nothing, accomplishes nothing and is really embarrassing to watch. A whole room full of schoolyard victims verbally bitch slapping each other, threatening to tell their moms for each inane comment and off topic re-direct. It's funnier than the Trailer Park Boys. It's funnier than Anderson Cooper.

Like any good magician will tell you, misdirection is the key to fooling anyone. And I got caught. Imagine, watching the news for up-to-date information on important issues. Fool me once...