Pop news and pop culture are what they are. By definition they are reflections of popularity. The very descriptor - 'pop' - is a shorthand for the word 'popular'. Of the people. They reflect what's on people's minds.

In fact, I dare say that virtually everyone here knows most of the details - let alone the larger story - about what's going on right now in the Jonbenet Ramsey story. Most of you will feign some level of contempt for those who openly admit it, but you **know** you've taken some delicious pleasure in wallowing in the very same story or types of stories.

I'm not putting anyone down with that statement. So consider this: If you, as an informed political junkie and avid consumer of news that most Americans find boring or too difficult to understand fully, can find time to know what's going on in pop culture, imagine how much it is absorbed by those for whom it **is** the 'news'.

These stories are, in fact, a reflection of our national psyche. To the extent people agree with Nancy Grace's flared and flaming nostrils, so is our psyche breathing fire against miscreants. Consider not the facts so much as for what they might be seen as metaphor.

What about sports? So much metaphor there. What of the opinion of NASCAR drivers? Or Hollywood luminaries? Why was Mel Gibson such a story?

Michael Jackson may have hurt our side. How, you ask? Consider this. Michael's mannerisms, all that 'gentle' speech pattern, all his odd proclivities, make him much more like the caricature of the typical hippie lefty than the tough guy rightie. I know its a stretch ... but consider it. And maybe learn from it. There's absolutely NO direct correlation. There's aboslutely NO political issue at stake. But gauge the public perception and reaction and take a few notes.

Have a look at teevee. How far from some future-movie "Death Match' where contestents, literally, fight to the death, is "Survivor"? Yes, the real teevee show its mind candy and essentially harmless. But what does it say about us a nation and a culture that we cheer for someone to 'thrown off the island'?

I contend that pop culture is enormously valuable in gauging the state of our culture and therefor our electorate.

I further contend that we have a coarse and belicose society right now. Even further, the people who win at politics right now will be the ones who not only are willing to fight, but who are willing to pick fights. To 'bring it to the enemy'.

And right now ...... that woud be the Republicans.

To be sure, this is a short term phenomenon. It is already starting to pay smaller dividends. And our side is increasingly willing to pick that fight. Their side is is increasingly on the losing side.

But look to tomorrow, too. What will be the next popular cultural theme? Peace? More war? Blood in the streets? Cooperation on a grand scale?

I think the effective political consultants know this sort of thing instinctively if not as scholars.

Some discussion along these lines could well pay off in the future. How clear is your crystal ball?