TV Eyes the Government

Some facets of American life have intrigued the nation's population, tickled its collective imagination just enough to cast a cloak of intrigue.

Among this list are the CIA, the White House, the FBI, the military establishment and perhaps the most mysterious, the Supreme Court of the United States.

Well pholks, now almost any night of the week the American television viewing public has the opportunity to "look inside" and discover just what goes on inside these hallowed agencies and establishments.

I can't help but wonder what this latest television fad is doing to our society.

Nearly every political administration in our history has generated some kind of scandalous activities. Although I admit to not being a very good student of early American history, I know there have been titillating goings on in the White House well before Bill and Monica were found out. Heck, it's old news now that good ‘ol J. Edgar Hoover enjoyed "just being a girl" every once in a while. Just because he liked to "feel good all under" didn't stop him from being one of the most powerful "guys" in Washington.

John Kennedy, Spiro Agnew, Ted Kennedy, Billy Carter, Bill Clinton. Dick Nixon, even Ike had their closets opened. And that's just the one's I personally remember.

"The West Wing" just happens to be one of the top shows on the networks and has won acclaim from all corners. Now we have a new series called "First Monday" depicting the Supreme Court and staring veteran leading man James Garner as the Chief Justice. The series "The Agency" is about the CIA. And of course JAG gives us an insight into the military justice system.

These shows are popular and the trend seems to be growing.

I must say that a couple of these programs are among my favorites and a couple of others have missed my attention. Even though I admit to enjoying some of these "dramas" I just can't seem to keep from wondering how the real "subjects" of this kind of programming are taking all this attention.

Do George and Laura and members of the White House and administration staff watch "The West Wing"and if they do what do they think about it?

And I have a hard time visualizing any one of our esteemed Supreme Court Justices sitting in front of their private television sets watching a group of actors and actresses portray them and the way they conduct their ultra-prestigious duties. Do they talk back to the tv set, arguing the points of law the actors are spouting? Is Chief Justice Renquist flattered or embarrassed by the way his tv counterpart, Garner,, is portrayed?

How do the real "spooks" as certain CIA operatives are commonly referred to, react to how they depicted on the boob tube. Do the CIA guys and gals ever smile or laugh. Do they consider covert ways to "take out" certain actors or script writers whom they consider to put them in a bad light?

I wish I could stop thinking along these lines when I sit back and try to relax when the programs are on the tube but I can't seem to kick that habit.

The only alternative I've been able to come up with is to get some network guys interested in a new genre of programming which could really work into something. My idea is to create programs featuring the real pholks like the President and Chief Justice, the Secretary of State, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the directors of the CIA and FBI at home or in their offices watching the current programs which are based on their supposed jobs.

Maybe such programs would help pass the winter hours until spring comes and I can get to my more active mode. It's just a thought, but one which I think has potential.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste..especially in the winter.

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