They Need Something To Do

Now, however, our pundits don’t seem to know what to do with themselves. I haven’t been sure what to do with myself, either, but I’ve been finding my way back into the books I want to read and the great literary and historical programs on public television, along with the occasional dip into “Without a Trace” or (my favorite, when it’s on) “The Closer.”

Still, I look in on CNN and MSNBC and FOX now and then to see how my old buddies there are doing. They seem to me to be floundering — still looking for election news or something. I remember Chris Matthews saying Nov. 3 with a shake of his head and a wry smile, “I’m gonna miss this campaign.” Indeed.

What’s filling in the gaps — or gaping holes, I should say — is gossipy-type chatter about who’s doing what to whom. Information is being leaked about various choices for Obama’s cabinet, and they want to know why it’s being leaked. “Nothing leaked during the campaign. Why are things leaking now? Are they doing this on purpose?”

They worry too because some of the names being leaked are names of people who served in the Clinton administration. “I thought he was promising change,” they say querulously. And “Kennedy didn’t put Truman’s people on his cabinet — he brought in a whole new generation.” (Actually, looking back, Kennedy could probably have used a few experienced Truman aides.)

And these pundits are positively pacing the floor over Hilary Clinton. “Has she officially been asked to be Secretary of State? Even if it wasn’t official, why hasn’t she responded? And why are we getting all of these leaks? — from both camps! Maybe she doesn’t want the job. Or maybe Obama doesn’t really want her to take it.” And so on.

I haven’t seen this much hand-wringing since I was in my teens. My girlfriends and I used to worry over boys this way — “Did he ask you to the dance yet? What will you do if he doesn’t?” Et cetera, et cetera, all day and into the night. My grandmother was right to say, “I believe y’all don’t have enough to do!” And she was quick to give us something to do, too. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and idle brains are his headquarters.

I’d like to see the pundits turn their hands and brains to the work ahead. Why can’t they do a little research and start informing us about health care options, alternative energy sources, and most of all, the economy? We could use background information, profiles of major players — constructive stuff. If they’re not part of the solution, these guys are going to be part of the problem.

Susan Harper is director of the Commerce Public Library. She lives in Commerce.