THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN

What fun.  The rest of the Senators are coming back to D.C. this week.  Some of them came early to put up the posters and whip up the audience.

You'll remember that the House, on a nearly partisan vote, impeached the president?  Well, now it is the Senate's turn in the spotlight and already the circus rings are forming.

And, oh, the parades!  All weekend long saturating the media.  Elephants leading, of course, with donkeys bringing up the rear.  Strung out in the middle, danced the jugglers -- the Moderates, each trying to outdo the others.

Monkeys all over the place hiding from Larry Flynt and DOLEing out presidential candidates. [see 'gappers 1997-044  A DOLEful WAY OF BRIDGING THE GENDERGAP]

WHIP in hand, the Major Tom-o, struts with all the aplomb of a peacock.  He leads the 13 House Managers who are singing, "Do It Our Way, Partisans," to the Senators.

Using his whip like a baton, he directs everyone's attention towards the many signs carried by a well-feathered flock of House interns.

One sign reads: "Secret information reveals Clinton raped
a woman 25 years ago."

Another reads: "Clinton has an illegitimate son."

The last sign is the biggest.  It reads: "But it's not about SEX."

All the time, the Senatorial high wire acts swing on high over head, pretending casual disinterest in the commotion below them.

Even as the parade continues, the circus rings start to form, disintegrate and then reform again as Senators over and over again execute the Whirling Dervish Dance Of The Politico.

As they dodge the irreligious rychus ire on the right without offending 73% of voters, these Senators are a sight to behold.

Some, hemmed in by elections coming up in less than two years, create space for themselves by clawing at the carcasses of the 13 House Managers.

"Don't tell us what to do," they howl. "We are the Senate and we'll do what we please."

Others demand that the will of the voters be carried out.  "Censure and move on," they cry.

"Well, maybe.  After we have had a trial," booms out a bevy of mugwumps, nervously.

In and out, in and out, the members of this great deliberative body move.  All trying to look Senatorial.  All trying to look assertive.  All regretting their youthful indiscretions.

All trying not to look scared.  After all it is a circus, but -- where are the clowns?

"There ought to be clowns.

"Quick!  Send in the clowns.

"DON'T BOTHER, THEY'RE HERE."

Twanda@ConnRiver.net

1999-002

Note bene: Judiciary Committee mail box either got filled or pulled because of the number of people posting to it.  We suggest that you email your own Senators and/or the 13 Republicans on the Judicial Committee separately.  Check these links to find addresses.

Copyright 1999 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@ConnRiver.net.

G e n d e r G a p p e r s   ^{T M}