Arianna Huffington and Harry Shearer

Good morning, Arianna. Like you, I'm grieving today for the Lakers. Once again, we learn what a difference one man can make, in this case, Magic Johnson, in imposing will, intelligence, and determination on a group of colleagues. Interesting that he was forced out of the NBA by Karl Malone, who now anchors the team that ousts the Lakers each year from the playoffs. The simplest of conspiracy theories currently available, and thus not sufficiently compelling for the true aficionado. Incidentally, for everyone who watches current movies and bemoans the lack of narrative originality in American letters, I highly recommend conspiracy theories. I spent the year following the Oklahoma City bombing listening to the shortwave radio station that appeals to militia members, and night after night, hour after hour, stories of Baroque complexity (and complicity) would waft through the ether. Brilliant storytelling. It better be, to keep guys in Montana from noticing that they're living in the middle of nowhere.

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You and I both live in California, where a stealth political campaign is currently in progress. Did you see the quote from Jeff Wald, news director of Channel 5 in L.A., who said he was surprised by the good ratings he got for the (only) gubernatorial debate? (Other L.A. news directors wouldn't comment, one saying "We're too busy. It's sweeps.") Here's a conspiracy theory for you: why should TV stations give free news time to candidates, when not doing so can force them to spend still more money on TV commercials? I know, it's a question, but with a theory wrapped up inside it.

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