Donald Trump Redefines "Intelligence"

Donald Trump was excited following the debate on ABC's "The View" between Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O'Donnell. In fact, Trump is convinced that Rosie is leaving early in humiliation because she was "beat up" by Hasselbeck.

On Fox News, Donald was looking punchy himself and it reminded me of a "post fight interview," in which a previous contender discussed how each round went. Trump filled the part perfectly, having had many rounds with Rosie himself. He tackled the subject like a middle school student "talking smack" about O'Donnell being everything from a "loser," to "fat," to "stupid," etc., etc., etc. My children are no longer allowed to watch Trump because he is a bad example.

When asked if he was impressed about Hasselbeck's performance, he was as or more harsh towards Elisabeth than Rosie, telling Fox News "Elisabeth is not a very smart person, she’s one of the dumber people in television. To see that she supports the war, and she’s solidly behind the war, give me a break.” At first, Trump said O'Donnell won because of her position on the war, but later he said she had to of lost or she wouldn't have quit like she did. This is quality television!

Donald Trump is now the protector and definer of intelligence. If you are against the war, you are stupid. I can't even begin to say how "stupid" that sounds. In my experience, intelligent people are not threatened by views that are different than theirs to the point of resulting in name calling. Intelligent people like passionate debate and counter it with sound argument, not insult.

It is hard to believe that a few years ago this guy was being mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate. Now the only people who would ever discuss such are the David Letterman's and Jay Leno's. But even comedy has to have a certain amount of plausibility, which is why we don't hear them joking about it any longer. That's good news, because a Trump presidency would be far more scary than humorous.

You Always Wondered What the Green Room Looked Like

Every serious talk show mentions the Green Room. That wonderful place where celebrities lounge and relax while waiting for the opportunity to show off to their audience. Over the years I have mentioned ours, but never revealed them until now.

You have heard such a room mentioned on the Today Show, discussed on Leno, and joked about on the David Letterman Show. Now, exclusively for listeners of the Houston Business Show, we are bringing our Green room to you (see the picture to the right).

You are seeing the very place our guests enjoy only the finest refreshments and visit before the show, where our experts plan their time on the air, and where great radio is developed. Note the comfortable chairs (there are actually a couple there, stacked), the well stocked vending machines (there's a soda machine next to the one pictured). With a coffee maker producing brew that will put hair in your chest, who needs Starbucks? Yes it is fabulous and although Hollywood won't show you their secret Green Rooms, I thought you would like to see what I'm referring to on most every show. Now you can see why our guests are anxious to get in the studio!

Barack Obama Comes Down to Earth

The media darling, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), has recently been on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which has become a regular ritual of those pursuing the White House (in the old days it was Face the Nation). He is being treated like a rock star and seems to be enjoying it, but the microscope that eventually follows all Presidential candidates now seems to be pursuing him.

In 1995 at the ripe old age of 34 (yes, that's right, 34), Obama wrote a memoir (Dreams from My Father) in which he admitted to drug use, including cocaine. Immediately journalists have begun to question whether this was just the tip of the iceberg. He denies any other activity that could be embarrassing, but since he was under the influence he can't really remember. Okay, the second half of that last line was a joke, and not true. The kind of joke you will likely hear on late night TV and will tarnish his star power and bring him -- either quickly or slowly -- back to earth.

This will only be the beginning. In spite of how charismatic he is, Obama is extremely liberal and will likely find it difficult to defend policy positions that are outside the mainstream on many Americans. Than there are accusations of being connected with Antoin Rezco, who has been accused of influence peddling and faces such charges as I write (although there is no evidence of wrong doing by the Senator, the relationship is there).

This isn't meant to say that Obama won't be a significant player in the 2008 Presidential campaign, but that he has largely enjoyed a free ride. That free ride is quickly coming to an end with each passing day. Welcome back to earth, Senator.