Pundit Pap for Sunday, December 14th 1997

Pundit Pap
For Sunday, December 14th 1997
by Mac MacArthur

MONDAY DECEMBER 15TH 1997 -- New York (APJP) -- What a relief not to even peek at Cokie and Sam's pap yesterday. My mood was better all day. This weekend, the pundits focused on Bill Lan Lee, spent a lot of time jock-sniffing Latrell Sprewell and his fisticuffs-strangulation of too-macho Warriors coach P.J. Carlissimo, and revisited Iraq, with John McLaughlin the only soul peering tentatively at Iran as a potential 'vehicle' for US policy in the region. The shows were good, but failed miserably at highlighting what were this weeks biggest stories -- The Cisneros indictment and the "dig-'em-up" mob of bloodthirsty flag-wavers who forced Larry Lawrence's widow to steal away her husband's body from Arlington National Cemetery in the wee hours of the morning for fear they'd break through the gates -- replete with torches and shovels. And judging from the hundreds of hate mail death threats we got merely for suggesting Lawrence might be deserving, I concur with her conclusions. Sorry Sheila, but the earth's a different place and the term "New World Order" doesn't just "sound" like WW II Hitlerian propaganda.

Let's see what happened yesterday as Tony Snow, John McLaughlin, Bob Schieffer and Tim Russert led America through the muck.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Tony Snow

Snow packs them in again.

Tony Snow, fresh from e-mailing American Politics about how much he loved our web site - but not our politics, looked "smashing" as he hosted Super-Sheep Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) who tried every which way to hustle out of his threat to punish the White House if the President dare appoint Bill Lan Lee chief of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division this week. Of course, Hatch has already been told that's going to happen and the President's remarks last week that GOP senators trying to block the nomination were kin to a pack of mosquitoes who he'll handle with a down-home swat.

Hatch said that if Clinton gives Lee a recess appointment he's insulting the Judiciary Committee. What happened to his dire threats of retribution?

As usual, Hatch got it wrong. It's "a finger in the eye" said Orrin, of the Republican racist-controlled Judiciary Committee of which Hatch is the Chair-Mosquito, plain and simple. The President doesn't give a rats heinie what Hatch or his lynch-mob colleagues think, and he will appoint Lee despite Orrin's warning that there will be "repercussions" if he does so. Hah! What's Hatch gonna do, continue to fail to confirm federal judges and prosecutors so his natural constituency will be all over him for the huge backlog of criminal indictments now piling up all over the nation?

Hatch was such a wimp, one almost felt sorry for him as he skidded away from his death-threat posture of the last month and meek-as-a-lamb suggested to Snow that he might accept an "acting" appointment of Lee which -- if the White House followed the letter of the law -- would allow Lee only a few months as chief of the civil rights division before Hatch could have another crack at him.

Juan Williams socked it to Hatch, goading him by saying, "...now it seems that you are backing down - you are giving the president options. . ."

Mara Liasson piped up with some misinformation: "If he gets an "acting" appointment he can stay for three years," she told Hatch.

"No," retorted the 'Utah Utilizer', "it's 120 days . . of course "they" might not enforce that... but I'd hope they would."

Hope on.

So Liasson might have had something, and Hatch used the Williams question to eat crow and say, "Well we don't have any control over that. But, he said, we'll be less upset with an "acting" appointment rather than a "recess" appointment which would put Lee in the driver's seat for the full three years - no questions allowed.

Both Hatch and Liasson misstated the truth. The "acting" appointment could give Lee a semi-permanent chair at Justice but it will also give the Senate a more shots at Lee. The White House need only re-up the acting appointment every 120 days to keep it in force. The Senate would only have to bring the Lee nomination to a vote at any time during those periods. If Lee's appointment gets before the full Senate he will win confirmation anyway.

It's a slam dunk.

Kaboom! You could hear Hatch's reputation back home explode.

Here's a typical follow-up statement by megalomaniacal ovine Hatch "I don't control everything, remember how difficult it has been on the judiciary committee. I have a right... I have to say - we've stopped a whole raft of 'them' behind the scenes."

But only moments before, he told the panel how many of 'them' he and his band of Klansmen had approved - Which is it Orrin?

Even curmudgeon Brit Hume got into the act: "People say you've blocked so many appointments that it doesn't make a difference whether they appoint Bill Lan Lee or not."

And they're right Hume.

Snow rubbed salt in the Senator's wings reminding him of the President's Mosquito reference and Hatch, numb, said, "I think he knows that there are lots of ways we can get his attention. We try to help 'them' when they are right and sometimes we've been wrong to help 'them.' I have a different attitude than those that think the president can't do anything wrong. But, the fact is that Clinton was elected twice and he deserves fair consideration. (adding as an afterthought) And we gave that to Bill Lan Lee."

Sounds like "Cake" to me. How bout you Tony?

Snow rubbed Hatch's nose in it again asking whether he was afraid that Bill Lee was going to do something illegal. Hatch mumbled some gibberish about Lee going far beyond what the law and the supreme court say, but Williams jumped in finally and said that Hatch wanted to block Lee because of his opposition to and his undercutting of California's shameless Proposition 209 which basically told minorities what they knew all along about the "liberal West Coast " -- it ain't liberal.

Then Snow took a break and came back with a Latrell Sprewell panel. What that has to do with American public policy is beyond me, but Ailes strains to keep the jock-sniffing viewers entertained during FNS by segueing to sports reports as often as he can get away with it. hoping to keep their attention 'til kickoff time.

Snow posited that it seemed the behavior of pro athletes came to a new low when Sprewell "did" his coach.

The panel, made up of Mercury Morris, Georgetown coach John Thompson, Jim Brown and Oh No! Tulsa Congressman Steve Largent - once himself a jock, droned on about the incident, with Largent - the only white guy - passing judgment against Sprewell while the others, although "shocked" by Sprewell's conduct came up with a lot of potential excuses for him. I guess Largent was the "political visa" tying the segment into politics and policy. Good try Tony, but no cigar. Although, to give you grace, other pundits fell into the same trap this Sunday.

Who says Johnny Cochran is dumb?

Leading the Black Pack, was Mercury Morris who tried to say, but not well, that Sprewell was a product of the inner city black culture which has generally and correctly assumed that the majority of whites couldn't give a damn about them, and the name of the game was making as much money as possible while keeping that fact in mind. Sprewell, if he does believe this, is right. Just ask Limbaugh. But Morris was too careful to make the point incisively.

I think P.J. Carlissimo is a an A-hole, and if you read the reports of this guy's conduct with his players - especially Sprewell - you'd wonder why Latrell didn't go for it and beat his head into the boards rather than merely shake him up. I also think Johnny Cochran will prove it, and force Carlissimo to take a much needed permanent vacation from professional sports. Sprewell may have been wrong in a technical sense, but then so were slaves who tried to escape the South between 1690 and 1865. They broke the law too.

Snow, no dummy when it comes to setting almost anything he can in a racial context, asked a segment-ending question designed to broadcast the rift between Blacks and Whites over the Sprewell incident and life in general.

"Was the Sprewell one-year suspension fair?," he asked. (with a wink to Newt)

The three Black panelists said (1) no; (2) I can't answer, and; (3) I don't know what happened so I can't answer.

Largent, the Lone White Ranger, said (Teacher, teacher, teacher ...) "I think it was."

Snow was pleased?

At the break, Snow & Co. thought it cute to air clips of tragic Henry Cisneros, now under indictment for lying to the government about his ex-lover cum whore girlfriend's shaking him down for more than $250,000 in extortion money while he was Secretary of Housing. The clip was accompanied by the song, "I broke the law and the law won."

Cute. But a tacky testament to the fact that Snow is a boy-hooker himself -- for a Republican Party pimp.

At least he admits it.

After the break Snow, wrapped in an American flag did his "Can You Believe It Segment" which probably made most vets puke. He went into a spiel about how there are 27 million veterans entitled to a military burial but that taps and gun salutes are a thing of the past. Even some generals don't get the full treatment he lamented. Huh?

Tony then milked the Sprewell story again, this time asking his panel what they thought of Johnny Cochran's retention as Sprewell's counsel.

"Let's continue the Sprewell conversation," he said and then aired a clip of Johnny Cochran on the "Spinterpreter" which said "The PJ's head is still intact. You must honor Sprewell's contract.

"Does Cochran's appointment help or hurt?," asked Snow?

Of course the dummies all said it hurt. But they aren't thinking - as usual. Cochran is no slouch. After all , he got the Juice off didn't he? And I'll bet you that the Warriors and the NBA won't know what hit them when Johnny's through with them. PJ himself will rue the day. Cochran will convince the nation that Carlissimo deserved to be shot at dawn before this party's over.

But the kiss-butt panel said the opposite not even paying lip-service to Cochran's skill at twisting the truth let alone the slam-dunk on Carlissimo's rep.

Williams started off by remarking that "this is the race card being played." What a joke. Hey Juan, are you selling out or what? The race card, really. Next we'll be calling you the Ward Connerly of Fox.

Liasson said it was "overkill." Well, Mara, I guess you don't think $35 million in contracts and endorsements is worth "killing" for.

Surprisingly only Hume steered clear of a stupid remark on this one. He merely said that Cochran would "probably be very good at being a sports agent."

They finally got around to focusing on Cisneros with Liasson pointing out that Cisneros is the second cabinet officer to be indicted and that a third, Bruce Babbitt, may be up at bat as well. "I think it was a tragedy ...he's gonna have to fight it in court, " Liasson whined.

Snow, toeing the party line, said "Here's another case where an independent counsel says his investigation was impeded." That was Hume's cue to rant on about Janet Reno and how she doesn't "admit" it and continues to thwart.

Playing the old shell game, Hume added, "I have a problem with the independent counsel statute too, but this has damaged Reno and the Department of Justice.

Sure Hume. LOOK AT THE POOLS STUPID - she's more popular than ever.

Snow added this ridiculous question which said nothing, but did dump on Reno: "The Attorney General refused to give details - did she pull a fast one?

Juan Williams, to his credit, said "No," and went on to add that "Reno just let Dan Burton unload on her. Reno sat there and told him that unless there is compelling, plain evidence she would not appoint an independent counsel. I (Williams) don't want someone prying into my life... it's wrong.

Liasson chirped, "The Republicans didn't get the dissension they hoped for between Freeh and Reno." - a clue to Hume to jump in with this gibberish:

"I think that misses the point, the reason for the IC is to keep Reno and the DOJ out of the fray. Congressional majorities aren't to be sniffed at. What she did was to conduct a deep investigation, which the law seems to prohibit her from.

WHAT!? Hey Brit, go back to school. The law doesn't prevent the Attorney General from conducting investigations - even if the same investigation is being undertaken by an IC. What the heck are your talking about? And the Republican majority is a myth. The GOP is split in two and can't get a single thing done. That's why they're focusing on Presidential shenanigans. Half of them wish Gingrich, Lott, Thompson, Burton and Barr would disappear.

Hume added, "Neither alternative is good. You don't want a Captain Ahab investigating forever and spending millions, but on the other hand ..."

Could he be talking about twin bozos Malibu Ken Starr and Don Smaltz?

The panel went into a discussion of Congressman Lantos' admonition to Donald Smaltz, the "independent" counsel who spent nearly $5 million investigating Mike Espy only to get an indictment on unrelated charges against a staff member. Lantos said that Smaltz characterization of himself as a past president of the Young Democrats was as misleading as Nazi propaganda, to which Smaltz -- who at least acts like a Nazi hunting down Americans even if he isn't one -- took great umbrage.

Everyone agreed if was overkill, except me. I thought Lantos didn't go far enough and should have exposed Smaltz for the liar and spendthrift he is.

Then Snow led the group in a Presidential Dog-naming contest. Yes, the POTUS has a new pup.

Liasson- "Mulligan" or "Shredder" in case the dog eats Clinton's "homework."

Hume - "Reno"

Williams - "Par" because Clinton will never achieve it or "Friend" so he'd "finally have one in Washington." Nice Juan. I guess that counts you out.

They all added their little giggles like Hume's, "Is he smart enough to know which documents to chew up?" to Williams' "I can't imagine Clinton walking the dog."

Just a little bit more serious discussion ensued on global warming. Mara reminded everyone that "there is no treaty yet" which should have ended the talk, but Snow popped in with "Its Gore that wanted this - Will it help or hurt Gore?"

Williams said the real problem for Gore was Gephardt, with which I agree. But I also think Gephardt will be "put out to pasture" very soon.

Hume said that "it's no mistake that Gore's book on the environment has been "forgotten" at the White House.

That's pap.

Then Snow, who I knew what get this in, focused on the fact that Gore had told the zoo (press on a trip) that the book LOVE STORY was partly modeled on his and Tipper's romance. Mara Liasson, all of a sudden a campaign consultant said that "Every story Gore tells will be picked apart - he has to learn." Hume said it was amusing to think of Gore as Ryan O'Neil. And Williams added that the idea that Gore's staff was playing the story up was ridiculous.

Erich Segal says the book was modeled on Gore and actor Tommy Lee Jones - combined. Guess will have to call Al Tommy Lee Gore from now on, huh Rush?

Snow's Holiday Comments were hilarious as he donned his Sunday mantia and got religion.

"In recent years courts have become increasingly hostile to Christians and Jews." Ha ha ha ha.

"But Muslims, et al.... is okay and its okay to display crucifixes in beakers of urine." Yeah Tony, let's get those Muslims!

"They think they speak with God's voice." Well...

Tony, first of all the courts have always been tough on religious symbols displayed by government entities on public property. That's because it's illegal. Taboo. Wrong.

Second, crosses in urine, however grotesque to me, are "artworks" -- not religious symbols.

Third, I suppose one could make the argument that since our laws are based on the Lord's commandments that judges do, in a way, speak with God's voice.

But the real point is, my respected friend, that the courts haven't -- at all -- been hostile to Christians and Jews. Actually its just the opposite. Prayer, the display of the ten commandments and a raft of other religious symbols have been creeping into American 'public rooms' more and more often with judicial approval. Most Judges are Christians and Jews. What's really happened is that professional hucksters like Ralph Reed and Tele-Con Man Pat Robertson along with Newt and the Boys, have been picking the pockets and twisting the minds of American morons for so long, that they actually believe their pap - and-- I'm sorry to say -- yours today. By the way, it was cute to put in the Jews. But let me tell you -- as a Catholic married to a Jew -- they and I don't think the courts have been too rough on Christians either. In the past, some courts have been very rough on Jews however. Don't you agree?

Anyway Tony, what do expect in Jersey City - chopped liver?

THE MCLAUGHLIN GROUP

John McLaughlin

John McLaughlin is getting more and more pedantic each week. Yesterday he began THE GROUP with a discussion, way over the heads of most American viewers, that Washington has not taking notice that Iran is "back," and that the Arabs, including our "allies" are in Iran right now signaling their view that Iran did not mastermind the truck bombing of our military in Saudi. McLaughlin thinks its our treatment of Israel that's at fault.

Fred Barnes thought that John had made a molehill congress into a mountain. "It has nothing to do with the way we treat Israel," he said.

Clift thought that the US wants to "rechart our relationship with Iran." and Pat Buchanan said it was a triumph for Iran because many of the same Arab leaders now in Tehran didn't even bother to attend "our" summit in Qatar. "Their goal remains the same, to drive us out of the Gulf.," said Buchanan.

Michael Barone, the political chief for, of all masters of intellect, THE READERS DIGEST, (ha, ha, ha) agreed with Fred. But added that the Iranian president (Khatemi) is undercut by the Ayatollah Khomeini -- and he's right.

Of course, what else does he have to do but read the traffic from USIS. When you run the political section of the Readers Digest, well -- you don't have a lot to fill your day.

Buchanan, still after Israel said "We are failing totally because we are becoming increasingly more isolated...because we come down with both feet on Iraq, but not on Israel"

Pity the poor boy. Hey Pat, has is dawned on you that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and is surrounded by people that want every Jew dead right now? That's why we are patient with them, you moron.

McLaughlin, ill at ease with Buchanan's anti-Semitism, said , "Forget it Pat," and moved along.

Well done John! I think.

Barnes offered that the US had the most power in the Middle East when Reagan was president. I'd take issue with that. How bout now? Or when Bush launched Desert Storm. Don't you think we had more power then?

Buchanan sniped once again: "The Arabs are increasingly hostile to America because of Israel."

McLaughlin looked for the US to exercise "a little more diplomacy" with Iran, looking at Tony Blair's recent reception of Gerry Adams in the garden where the IRA had bombed Downing Street not long ago.

Clift finally got in one word of wisdom , "It's way to early to start slobbering over the regime in Iran -- Proceed cautiously."

McLaughlin, after the break went to "No Go Kyoto" and went on to criticize the White House, on behalf of sponsor General Electric Corp, because Clinton hasn't been tough enough on developing nations who have to make no cuts in greenhouse gas emissions for at least the first year of the proposed treaty.

Somebody said the treaty was an economic redistribution of wealth from the US to Mexico, China etc. Sure.

Buchanan, the only smart one here, said , "this thing is dead." And he's right. Unless the third world has to abide by similar cuts, the Senate will never affirm the treaty, and without US cooperation, the entire global warming package will crumble.

McLaughlin, unfortunately then moved to Latrell Sprewell.

Buchanan. Surprise! Thought Sprewell got what he deserved. "The NBA has to stick by it," said Buchanan.

Clift made some racist remark about Cochran saying he wasn't playing the race card.

McLaughlin, thankfully cut it off there moving right over to Larry Lawrence and his burial at Arlington Cemetery.

There was talk by McLaughlin no record of Lawrence serving on a merchant marine ship or on the "Bushnell." He also cited something deliberately unclear about Lawrence filing a false tax return and owing $76 million in back taxes. Can money buy anything?, he asked.

Barone said it was a lapse, but...

Buchanan, parroting the militiamen and holier-than-thou veterans, said, "He was a charlatan, "DIG HIM UP!"

Clift seemed to think it was Nixon who traded ambassadorships first for money, but that was a complete falsehood. One only has to look at Roosevelt's appointment of someone like Harriman as Ambassador to Russia to see just how far the tradition of rewarding powerful backers with ambassadorships -- no matter how ill-equipped -- is.

To McLaughlin's question about whether the matter is dead or will live on to haunt Clinton, the panel said:

Clift: Dead

Barone: Dead but some will remember. Ooh!

Buchanan: Dead - that was a surprise.

McLaughlin: This will live on.

Well, yes, if you keep it going John.

PREDICTIONS:

Barnes: Congress will not approve money for the IMF bail out for Korea.

Clift: Geraldine Ferraro will run for Senate in New York.

Buchanan: South Korea will explode after the congressional rejection of bailout money.

Barone: The Republicans will seek and indictment of DNC Chair and Colorado Governor Roy Romer for obstruction of Justice.

My predictions: Barnes and Buchanan are wrong. The Korea bailout will be approved after careful consideration of the impact of that country's meltdown if we don't help. Gerry Ferraro will run, and win. The Republicans will seek lots of indictments, But only a couple will come to fruition. Those will be on former DNC Chairman Don Fowler and perhaps Mr. Sullivan -- his chief fund raiser henchman. But Haley Barbour will also go under the judicial knife as well as a few "non-profit Republicans" like Grover Norquist and his pals at Triad.

BYE BYE!

MEET THE PRESS

Tim Russert

Tim Russert started the hour interviewing Ambassador Richard Butler from Iraq where he was about to meet with Iraqi Minister Aziz about opening up all the sites for inspection for chemical and biological weapons which Butler will then destroy. I guess it makes sense to him and the UN Security Council to think Saddam will hand over any weapons if he has them. But, to me, "the hiding" is a fait accompli, and even if Butler is allowed into Saddam's private toilet, he won't be finding much.

If Saddam has these weapons, they're probably already stored away at Baghdad's "Mailboxes 'R Us" never to be seen again -- at least for now.

But the masquerade continues.

Butler did make a slip saying that when he can give Saddam a clean report card, then the oil embargo will go. Yet, he spent a lot of breath saying that this is not his decision.

He's right, It's the UN's.

Butler, name dropping, said he had just finished blinis and vodka with the Russian Ambassador who told him that Russia was 100% behind the US/UN position. But then hastily corrected himself saying there were "nuances" or disagreement between the French/Russian team and the rest of the Security Council.

So who's kidding who?

Of course Tim didn't ask, being the gentleman he is.

But he did say it appears that Saddam in many ways has won if he refuses to grant Butler and his men access.

Butler's answer: "Well, that's a theoretical point, we can make progress."

'Nuff said.

Next was Ted Kennedy, who rarely grants an interview and is Russert's umpteenth coup this season as NBC celebrates the 50th anniversary of Meet The Press by publishing a book about the show -- which no one in his right mind will buy.

Kennedy told Russert he was behind using military action if Saddam does not toe the line. He said that Bill Lan Lee was well qualified to lead the civil rights division and thought it was unfortunate that the Republicans who are "anti civil rights, anti women, anti-minority, anti enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act" etc, are trying to block his appointment.

It's more than unfortunate Teddy. It's an American tragedy.

Kennedy reminded Russert that threats to take actions against the Administration by Hatch is a two way street. "They're holding up judicial appointments while their point man Justice Rehnquist is talking about the damage that's doing," said Kennedy.

He said that the Kyoto global warming treaty would probably not pass in the Senate as it stands, but should eventually.

On Medicare and social security warnings made last week by Alan Greenspan, Kennedy said he would do anything to preserve Social Security but did not say whether that would be a tax hike, a tax hike on wealthier wage earners, or an older retirement age.

But Kennedy said something VERY important yesterday and its a harbinger of what the President is planning for next year's health care initiative which will be a redesigned re-play of his earlier-failed health care reform package which bombed largely because the congress couldn't accept the First Lady's "leadership" on the issue.

As Kennedy pointed out, there will be more than 50 million Americans left uncovered under health care insurance in less than a decade. (2006) What Kennedy telegraphed, for the first time that I know of publicly, was that the White House, perhaps with Kennedy taking the lead, will push for Medicare and Medicaid relief that will place the burden of insuring these 50 million people square on the backs of businesses that, so far, have ignored their responsibility to offer such packages to their employees -- or all their employees regardless of status. Kennedy did say that the formula for premium payments might be shared by the employees of small businesses to a greater extent than employees of larger businesses, but this is the plan -- at least his plan.

We think it's really the President's plan. And although it's well known in Gucci Gulch, where business lobbyists are busy gearing up for the big fight against it, that, this time, it will tough to defeat. The timing is great. Republicans will have to snub the poor and thumb their noses at 50 million people with 100 million friends in order to defeat this sensible proposal.

They're not gonna do it -- not in a presidential year.

Check mate for Kennedy and Clinton no matter what the US Chamber and the American Manufacturer's Association have up their sleeves. And excuses about not being able to pass the cost to consumers will fall on deaf ears. Why?, because that's a lie. Under a fair proposal that impacts EVERY business, no competitor will be able to undercut the other based on health care premium costs. Kennedy also made sure that giant HMO's got this message -- He won't stand for clerks making decisions about medical treatment just to keep their bottom lines fatter. Medical Doctors will make those decisions in the future.

Bravo to Kennedy.

To Lisa Myers inane question about the power of big business to kill any health care reform package, Kennedy said "They're the same people who said this about child labor laws, minimum wage and every time we try to do something for the less fortunate."

To Myers's snipes on Kennedy's idea to raise the minimum wage to $6.65 an hour as "an all out assault" on small business, Kennedy said, "If we just looked at CPI we would already be at $7.33 an hour ( - About $290.00 a week - ) and those Americans who earn minimum wage are single mothers, nursing home workers, building cleaners and the like who are part of our system. If you work hard you are entitled to a livable wage. Even with the increase to $6.65, these people will still be below the poverty line."

Myers went after the mandatory health care provision asking, as if it was impossible, "You would mandate it?"

Kennedy answered, "Yes." No ands, ifs or buts, throwing down the gauntlet before the President's State of the Union which promises to guard his legacy and restrike at Republican greed and abuse of the working men and women in this country.

I was discussing this very thing with a well-known political editor this morning. I offered that Clinton was principled and although he made concessions to get re-elected last time, he would now dig in on issues like welfare reform and health care this term. The press should watch carefully as the President walks the thin line between preserving Al Gore for a 2000 nomination and the way history will treat Bill Clinton.

Our theory? If the president goes all out to fight business on these issues -- and they choose to fight -- Gore will then have the open opportunity to sort of split with Clinton and adopt a "further right" position which will preserve whatever support he expects from business and labor. Clinton does not have to worry about being re-elected. It's his ball now. So if Gore needs to create a semantic differential between he and Clinton, he can do so, probably with Clinton's blessing.

Gore can win either way.

How far left the President goes is a matter of conjecture. But you can take this to the bank. Beginning next year, the President will show his liberal stuff and no one has the power to stop him. Not even Trent Lott. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Kennedy refused to get pinned down on school vouchers instead switching the topic to the demise of Pell Grants and the fact that Republicans have shifted the college tuition cross onto the backs of students by way of their loans-only policy and that most can't take advantage of tax credits offered up because they don't earn enough money to do so.

Kennedy would come back at the end of MTP to share some clips of his brothers and his mother with Russert.

But after the break, my two favorite people - The Carvilles, James and Mary Matalin, dusted it up in an entertaining ten minutes where Carville called independent prosecutor Don Smaltz a liar and Dan Burton and Ken Starr "goofballs."

My sentiments exactly.

Matalin said "James was pathologically obsessed" and wished he would keep some level of debate. She was weak. I think Carville is slowly bringing her around!

Of Smaltz Carville said, "he may not be a Nazi, but he a liar . . a nickel and dime guy."

"What we see is a country fed up with this garbage. Everywhere I go they thank me," said Carville.

"Yeah, sure where do you think he goes. 65 witnesses have fled or plead the 5th," answered Mary.

"Sure, that's Republican law -- how is pleading the 5th obstruction of justice?," Carville asked.

Of Fred Thompson, Carville said, "Fred, did you forge Haley Barbour's name? Fred is a partisan US Senator that ran a partisan investigation, and in this nation there will be an outcry about that. No way. The country is sick of this and the production of exactly NOTHING."

On Gephardt's critical speech of Clinton at Harvard University, Carville said this:

"I was told by the White House to smile, I was upset about the stupidity of that speech. Gephardt was supposed to be on Meet the Press today but he had to cancel because he didn't want to explain what he said. Kennedy was on. There is a difference between smart and dumb. What he said was silly. I criticized Rahm Emanuel too. I thought he was too easy on Gephardt."

Classic Carville -- and classic truth.

Carville also suggested a 24 hour "Hate Clinton" channel for the GOP and their constituents. "Look, I'm for whatever the President tells me. I'm for anything the President says. All he has to do is pick up the phone and say "James, I'd like you to help Al Gore any way you can."

As to the best Republican to put up against Gore, Carville answered, yocking, "Pat Robertson."

But Matalin didn't make any bones about her wish for the GOP nomination. "George Bush Jr. - He's gonna be the nominee and the next president of the United States."

Mary, we hope he's the nominee. When we get finished with him, and his checkered past, he won't be able to run for dog catcher.

Russert brought Kennedy back to show him the clips and give him THE BOOK.

And that was it for Meet the Press this week.

FACE THE NATION

Bob Schieffer

For some odd reason Bob Schieffer decided to waste nearly his full half hour on Steven Spielberg's new blockbuster "tearjerker'" film "Amistad"

By the time Schieffer hosted Mike Medved yesterday the movie had grossed big time according to muckraker Matt Drudge who also reported that Medved told FTN that Spielberg's hero slave character "Cinque" -- after being released -- returned to Sierra Leone and became a slave trader himself - something Spielberg left out of his movie.

Medved is angry about a "film study guide and learning kit" that were distributed to thousands of high school teachers and administrators and designed to help "integrate" the lessons of the film into high school lesson plans. DreamWorks pretends to make a contribution to the educational process, but instead distorts a crucial episode in our history, using schools to shamelessly promote a commercial R-rated film," Medved said.

In the 1830's, aboard a Spanish slave ship christened "La Amistad," 53 African slaves revolted. The leader of the revolt, Cinque, and the Africans killed most of the crew, ordered two survivors to sail them back to Africa. The ship ended up on a Long Island beach and the Africans were jailed and tried for murder. Ex-president John Quincy Adams plead their case before the Supreme Court and the Africans were acquitted and went home.

But history says different. Cinque went back to Africa alright, but set himself up in the slave trade. Debbie Allen, the producer of Amistad says he did go back to Africa, but found everyone in his village gone.

Yeah, so what? It serves teachers right for teaching fantasy as fact.

Schieffer also asked Senator Kerrey about the global warming treaty. Kerrey rambled about our reliance on foreign oil and the opposition GOP Senator said that Gore had said the South Dakota floods were from global warming and that the opposite was true.

Kerrey said reports that the Democrats are trying to destroy the economy thought the Kyoto treaty was preposterous. "The Democrats are responsible for the strong economy today. We're not about to destroy it."

And that was it for Sunday, December 14th 1997 on pundit television.

PS: At the time this magazine "went to bed" 1PM EST, the President announced his appointment of Bill Lan Lee as chief of the DOJ.

Next move Hatch?