by Bob Stealey

editor

Just back from vacation for two days, I'm away from my office once again, this time to attend the West Virginia Press Association's annual convention at beautiful Oglebay Park near Wheeling. I should be back at my desk Monday, the 21st.

Trusting that everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the national political conventions, maybe now we can get back to some serious television -- like the sitcoms. Having learned how much the Republicans were thrilled with Philly steak sandwiches in the City of Brotherly Love two weeks ago, this past week viewers of the "DNC" were treated to cameo appearances by "La-La Land's" past and present frequenters. These included Barbra Streisand, Harry Hamlin, "Hanoi Jane" Fonda and a host of others that I can't name because, frankly, I didn't see them.

Still, I must wonder just how effective the venue of Los Angeles, with its stars and starlets, helped the cause of Al Gore and the Democrats. I suppose it's always helpful to have celebrities present for either active or passive endorsements, no matter what you may be trying to sell to the masses.

Come to think of it, although Dick Clark once introduced many a tune on his very popular rock music show a few decades back in Philadelphia, I somehow don't believe the GOP needed "American Bandstand" or any bandwagon to jump aboard in 2000. Hopefully, a solid stand for what is decent and moral will be quite enough when November rolls around.

As I mentioned in an editorial not so many weeks ago, it would not have been necessary for the national political conventions to have become such extravaganzas, especially since the presidential tickets in each party were already known a week prior to the respective affairs.

Granted, the conventions must be held. There is much to decide at them, including the various planks of the platforms and the locations of the conventions in 2024. Besides, think of how the balloon manufacturers might have gone "bust" without the conventions.

Ah well, I don't mean to be a killjoy. And I have some good friends who have attended both major conventions this year, and hope they enjoyed themselves very much.

I simply have to contemplate how much money could have been more wisely spent on the millions of Americans truly in need.

So all of this sent my mind a-whirlin' for a while. What if the government itself would devise a special convention, not for the purpose of selecting any nominees -- (Remember, that was already done before both the major conventions anyway!) -- but for deciding ways to spend the taxpayers' money.

Heaven knows, Uncle Sam has never needed a convention for this previously, has he?

Just think of how many feasibility studies and allocation sessions could be held. And if you think the Democrats used the glitter of Tinseltown to stage their convention, I know the perfect setting for a government convention -- Orlando, Fla.

I'm sure Mickey would be glad to host it.

Exponent Telegram Editor Bob Stealey can be reached at 626-1438.