“IT’S THE MESSAGE THAT COUNTS”
by OPOVV, ©2016
(Jul. 21, 2016) — “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another exciting episode of ‘Pulse of the Nation.’ What we do is stand under this awning across from the railroad station and waylay people walking by and ask them what’s on their mind. Ah, here comes a fish now.
“Excuse me, please, Chief New Leaf standing in for Roving. Got time to answer a question for our viewers?”
“I heard you as I was crossing the street. So I’m a fish, am I? We’re nothing but fish to you?”
“A figure of speech, that’s all. A metaphor.”
“What kind of fish do you think we are, by the way, as a ‘metaphor?’”
“Well, now, that depends, doesn’t it? If you’re a Hillary supporter then you’re obviously a bottom-feeder, something along the lines of, well, I’d tell a lawyer joke but this is a family program, so I won’t, but I will say that it would be something that people would send back if ordered at a restaurant.”
“You know, I was missing the sarcasm of Mr. Roving, but now I see that he knew what he was doing when he chose you to take his place. Okay, you sold me: what’s the question?”
“Did you see Senator Ted Cruz auger in last night?”
“Did I? Wasn’t it wonderful, seeing a historic moment in real time? It was like seeing the Hindenburg go down in flames at Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937, if you were there in person. Something to tell the grandkids about: Granddad saw it live on television in the year 2016. Great moment in our lives, and here’s my train.”
“Great answer. Who’s next in line? Hello, and where are you off to today?”
“My bank. Wife and the dog watch you every night. Like your sarcasm, by the way.”
“Good for you; smart dog. Here’s a question for you: they say money is amoral, meaning money is neither good nor bad. So they say Hilary has raised more money than Trump: any thoughts?”
“You know, when I got up this morning I just had a feeling this would be my day. Great question, and I thank you for asking it. There is no correlation between money and morals, just as there is no correlation between money raised and message.”
“A wee bit more specific, if you would, please?”
“Of course. Let’s say Hillary raises $100 million to Trump’s $10 million; does that mean in any way that Hillary’s message is 10 times better or more correct than Trump’s message? No, of course not, because whatever Hillary raises has nothing to do with the message.
“Let’s say the message is, ‘I want the sun to rise tomorrow morning; please donate.’ Hillary receives millions while Trump doesn’t get one red cent. So what? You see, any money donated has no bearing whatsoever on ‘THE MESSAGE,’ whatever it may be. So this reporting that Hillary is ahead on donations doesn’t add up to a hill of beans. Have I been clear?”
“Crystal.”
“And that’s my train. Goodbye.”
“And thank you. Well, I see that our time is up so on behalf of the crew, I’ll be wishing you all a good night: Goodnight.
“Good show. I liked that banker’s answer: it’s the message that counts, not how much money was raised. Burger time. Chips again for me, and a sweet pickle and a shake: my treat.”