I groaned when I heard that TV blowhard Bill OReilly has beentapped to address the annual convention of the IndependentInsurance Agents and Brokers of America next April in Washington,D.C. While I don't object to political clowns in principle, I drawthe line at those who try to pass themselves off as “journalists,”and wonder why a more liberal pundit can't be recruited once inawhile to appear at an insurance meeting.


Bullies like O'Reilly just don't have a sense of humor. Liberalslike Al Franken, Bill Maher and Jon Stewart all manage to be funnywhile taking obnoxious jabs at the opposing political party. Why doright wing commentators, in contrast, take themselves so damnedseriously?

I'm not a big fan of celebrity speakers to begin with at thesegatherings. They draw huge fees, yet rarely if ever have anythingvery original, let alone relevant, to say.

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