October Surprise

Osama lobs a PR stink bomb into the three-ring circus of the Presidential election and the network media, caught by surprise, goes berserk with a frennzy bordering on the Grand Guignol --endless analysis and dire predictions; the usual line-up of worn out talking heads; Fox News alerts. The two candidates struggle to formulate a "reaction" to the dire developments. Partisan foot soldiers take to the airways to manipulate the spin that will ultimately reach the eyes and ears (forget the minds) of the anxious electorate. Bush remains resolute and steadfast, and reminds us that we are at war with the evildoers. Kerry, in his annoyingly stultifying way, points to Bush's failures.

Advantage Osama. The three-ring circus, now in its fourth year, consuming a near half-biilion dollars from the political parties, thousands of hours of air time from the networks, millions of words from the print media, and the collective energy of a minority of eligible voters, is eclipsed by the elusive shiek. His central theme, "stay out of our lives", will be ignored and swept aside by the arrogance and hubris of the American id.

Bin Laden figured us out a long time ago. That we still haven't figured out him should trouble any American with a conscience.