The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana

Politics irritates me silly. People grousing back and forth, calling each other names, accusing each other of imaginary offenses, acting all smug and superior to each other.

If I wanted to be exposed to that, I'd have stayed married.

But seriously, folks ...

The latest dustup is between Sen. John McCain, the presumptuous (no, I didn't stutter) Republican presidential nominee, and the parents of one Paris Hilton, a young, beautiful woman with way too much money and about as much moral discernment and basic intellectual skills as God gave a rabid chipmunk.

McCain used Paris' empty reputation in the press (as someone who, as they say, is famous for being famous) to slam his opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, who cut a path through Europe recently.

He accused Obama of being a "celebrity."

Well, gee, celebrities are famous people who are, more often than not, liked. It'd be a shame if people around the world actually liked our president.

But even more, what does this have to do with Obama's potential as chief executive? Not speaking as a Democrat or Republican, let me just say that I personally find such tripe offensive and stupid.

Don't just spend millions of dollars to slam your opponent. Tell us what you'd do if you were president. Talk to us. Don't try to deceive us. Or think we're morons.

Besides, it's about as dignified as a schoolyard fight.

Truth is, no one knows how anyone will rate in the White House. Jimmy Carter looked good on paper, but he couldn't rally support among his own advisers. Ronald Reagan was a B-movie actor, for crying out loud, and turned out to be quite effective.

Harry Truman? Former haberdasher.
Dwight Eisenhower? Decorated war hero.

Who is remembered with more admiration for his effectiveness in office?

So, please, can the sarcasm and sniping. It's crass and unconvincing.