[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday July 14, 2004 at 10:55pm]
Say the Secret Word
Those my age no doubt remember the TV quiz program, "You Bet Your Life" starring Groucho Marx. Groucho engaged in a few minutes of light banter with each pair of contestants, and if either happened to say a secret word, a trumpet sounded and a duck dropped down with a $100 prize for them.
I recently realized that I have my own secret word that immediately interrupts my train of thought when scanning the news and opinions of the day. That word is Halliburton, Vice President Dick Cheney's former employer. No matter how many years pass since he left the company and divested himself of his holdings therein, many a pundit still thinks Mr. Cheney is nonetheless still profiting from and guided by whatever business Halliburton now conducts anywhere on Earth.
As soon as I see or hear this word, I stop reading or listening. I dismiss the entire piece as suspect and incompetent. If there is a valid point to be made, someone else will come along to make it, and without the H-word. Even articles defending Mr. Cheney are questionable as he needs no defense among grown-ups.
I recently realized that I have my own secret word that immediately interrupts my train of thought when scanning the news and opinions of the day. That word is Halliburton, Vice President Dick Cheney's former employer. No matter how many years pass since he left the company and divested himself of his holdings therein, many a pundit still thinks Mr. Cheney is nonetheless still profiting from and guided by whatever business Halliburton now conducts anywhere on Earth.
As soon as I see or hear this word, I stop reading or listening. I dismiss the entire piece as suspect and incompetent. If there is a valid point to be made, someone else will come along to make it, and without the H-word. Even articles defending Mr. Cheney are questionable as he needs no defense among grown-ups.