TW3

More than forty years ago there was a great import from Great Britain known affectionately by American television viewers as TW3. Not to be confused with Ahhnold’s Terminator series this political satire used words as ammunition and usually hit the target. This hilarious show was called “That Was The Week That Was.” The first letters of each word making up its acronym.
It was originated in England by a very droll David Frost who followed its emigration to the states as host and added a cast of characters more familiar to American viewers at the time. They included such personalities as Alan Alda, Steve Allen, Woody Allen and many many more. Sadly this intellectual fore runner of inane but funny shows such as “Laugh In” ran for only two years during the sixties.
Oh how I wish it could be brought back now. Naturally we would have to have a different cast but with all the fodder coming out of Washington the show could easily run on its own and for years to come.
“Good evening and welcome to our show. I’m your host, ‘Ken Ahora’ and this is my co-host, Al Takaka.
Our lead story tonight involves all of you evil-doer viewers out there. That’s right I can see you. Actually I can see you and so can your government.
This week President W stated that we are in grave danger once again."
"Why? Has Cheney found another rifle?"
"No, Al Congress has blocked W’s plans to extend immunity to the phone companies who are spying on you.”
“Wait a second Ken; are you saying that the President wants to spy on average every day American citizens?”
“It appears so Al.
Using his favorite tactic from the Karl Rove era, fear, the President has conveniently overlooked the FISA option to legally obtain warrants. That law allows him to do so as much as three days after actually implementing electronic surveillance as long as he can show the court exigent circumstances.”
“We know that already Ken. But the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act still exists so what’s changed?”
“That’s right Al but the part of the law that W added protects the phone companies from prosecution for doing this illegal spying. This has expired and they could now be open to law suits.”
“Oh, so nothing has changed about our nation’s security, just the possible loss of money for Bush’s friends.”
“That’s right, Al. And privately those friends of the President, and trust me they are a very select few these days with most of them being Saudis, wish to add to this telecommunications immunity portion of the bill and rename it the, “Video Overseeing Your Every Utter Relation In Some Manner” bill or ‘VOYEURISM.’”
“Works for me, Ken. I usually have to pay for that stuff on the internet.”
“Uh, okay Al, that’s nice. This week there was also news on the never-ending campaign trail.
The formerly nick-named Scarecrow has thrown his support to the Tin Man. Willard Mitt Romney is now backing Grandpa McCain in his bid for the top spot in DC. Mitt’s kids may now have to find jobs or enlist.
Fresh from fending off uncalled for allegations of pimping out her daughter, Hillary Clinton stumped with her very grown up and lovely daughter Chelsea while attempting to muzzle her husband. She continued to offer solutions to the vast problems caused by seven years of W and continued to watch her chances of doing so dwindle away as she hoped against hope, literally for the nomination.
Obama continued to woo both young and old alike with talks of hope and change. He offered no way to do this but then again why bother to get bogged down in facts when you have charisma.”
“And speaking of hope, Munchkin Mayor Mike Huckabee held on to his against all odds and logic.”
“Yeah, but he’s so cute.”
“One thing that’s not cute is the economy, stupid."
"Hey."
"Not you Al, it's a euphemism."
"Yeah, well you for mism this!"
"Right. Well we may be heading for a recession or actually be in one already. However we will not know for a few months according to the experts.”
“How can you be an expert if you don’t know what you are talking about until after it has happened? I thought the only people who got away with that were called meteorologists.”
“That’s depressing, Ken.”
“Yes it is depressing. And speaking of depression? What has changed here since the Great Depression of the 1930’s when we were promised a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage? Well now with Obama running we can at least hope for that car. Did you say you wanted a Pontiac, Al?”
"Can't afford the gas Ken. I'll take a hybrid please."
“Well that’s our show for now. May you survive another week and come back for another TW3. This is Ken Ahora,"
"And Al Takaka,"
"Reminding you, Don’t say anything on your phone that you wouldn’t want heard -
"BY EVERYONE!"
"Goodnight.”
"Goodnight."

The Wizards of Ours

I was thinking the other day that this election of ours is beginning to remind me of an old movie classic. And there are so many fun analogies from “Frankenstein” to “Gone with the Wind.” Sorry “Star Wars” fans but this election is not about Cheney, or at least I hope not.
I believe my ‘aha’ moment came when former President Bill Clinton made a reference about fairy tales and the critics went wild. That simple statement stirred up such emotion that within minutes of being uttered they were utterly being spun around in such a whirlwind that they appeared to be Earth shaking news.
Whirlwind, spinning around, earth-shaking…
Hmmm.
This election is like The Wizard of Oz!
Okay stop. Get back here. I am not crazy, well maybe a little but it’s not my fault. Let me explain.
Check out the real life cast of characters, and I do mean characters.
We have the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, The Cowardly Lion, and of course Dorothy. I know I will get in trouble on this one but allow me some latitude and I think you will agree and even add a few ideas of your own.
The Scarecrow is tall and lanky. He can move with ease and seems perfectly capable of keeping his balance even when it appears he must fall. He is handsome and loaded in a sort of stuffed shirt kind of way even though he tries to be very down to earth. He spends money like it was straw and he most definitely lacks a brain. In case you have spaced out I am speaking of Willard Romney. That’s right, Willard. Now you know why he uses Mitt. (Sorry Mr. Scott.)
The Tin Man is kind of rigid. He is likeable but was left standing out in the field too long and is rusty. It is quite apropos that oil can help him get better. (Get it? Oil can?) This being is in search of a heart, kind of what you would say to a man who wants to keep young men and women in harms way for up to one hundred years. You guessed it, I am speaking of none other than Bush smooching Senator McCain.
The Cowardly Lion is so very likeable and cuddly. He says mean things sometimes but in the end he is nice. He is afraid to get into a real fight and is seeking courage. This king of the African jungle wouldn’t hurt a fly and his friends are all trying to help him get the courage to stand up to all those in his way. With their help he will shortly be able to say, “Put ‘em up, put ‘em up!” Senator Obama, the Wizard will see you now.
And is this next one really that much of a stretch?
After nearly losing her best friend to that evil woman (actually her friend bit the woman, not the other way around) and being forced to leave her lovely white farm house she spends the entire story trying to get back. She has many obstacles along her way and some supporters who stick by her throughout her journey. Naturally those on the trek to the Promised Land with Dorothy are expecting something in return. But to the end her mantra is simply, “There’s no place like home.” Just as Senator Clinton wants you to send her home, to the White House.
One more similarity of note is the man behind the curtain pulling levers and deciding the fate of all.
Curtain?
Levers?
Anybody care to vote on who that might be?
We still have the Wicked Witches to dole out and a bunch of behind the scenes little people on our yellow brick road journey but I'll leave those to your imagination.
And by the way lest you think this analogy is picking a winner L. Frank Baum's classic did end with all four main characters back home.
But I do have one wish for our Oz and that is a happy ending, because Lord knows we have been in a horror movie far too long.