The Barometer Online

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Ha! Who are we kidding? We have become a nation which not only judges a book by its cover, but when the cover is appealing and good-looking, we don't even bother opening it to read the first word. Ever since the JFK-Nixon televised debate, the American voter has become more and more obsessed with style, appearance and "relatability" over substance, experience, intelligence or policy.

It seems like everybody and their pet hedgehog has seen "The Dark Knight," which probably isn't too far from the truth. Having grossed close to one billion dollars thus far, things are looking good for the Batman. Elsewhere in Movieland (located north of Ego Park and east of Addiction World), Pixar's "Wall-E" has been moving steadily closer to the five hundred million dollar mark, where it will receive the traditional basket of congratulatory jelly beans.

You have probably seen those funny, ironic Cingular/AT&T cell phone commercials where a dropped phone call results in the individual losing the object or opportunity of their desire. If only his phone had more reception bars, he could've scored tickets to the Final Four, instead of shooting hoops with the "townies" at the local bar.