The Man and Woman Behind the Man

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/08/us/politics/speaker-mike-johnson-facial-expressions.html?searchResultPosition=1

("A New Speaker's Many Faces Show Everything but Approval")

I wish we were not literally faced with yin and yang seated behind the President giving their best impressions of the rise or fall of the universe. 

I understand what tradition demands of the assembled, the Supremes in the front row, stone faced and stuck to their seats by super glue. The parties separated by policy, left and right positioned left and right in this venue (or maybe right and left depending on your view of the universe).

The speech getting a rise from those who approve, standing as one with the most remarkable remarks. Or getting a rise from those who disapprove, with their hoots and hollers, their pins and especially that stupid red hat on top of the head of that especially stupid white woman.

But can't we consider not having to endure the part of the spectacle where we are forced to analyze the eyes, nose, mouth, hands, Hell everything short of the stomach lining of those sitting behind (and, by the way, above) the President? Can't we, for one night a year, cede the stage fully to him, without having to watch how his words are being received by the yeasayers and naysayers?

I mean Mike Johnson has a pleasant enough visage, a kind of Howdy Doody all grown up. But we can see his punim plenty the rest of the year. And dear Kamala, you of far greater worth than your detractors would proffer, we need not watch your Jack in the box exercises throughout the night to know when we believe a home run has been struck.

Tradition has now been replaced in other ways in this venue, respect for the office and decorum now replaced by derision and that especially stupid woman in that especially stupid red hat. So why not go a bridge further (as long as it is not a bridge to nowhere) and shine the spotlight only on the person who should demand and command our full and undivided attention.

For at least this evening, the eyes and nose behind the President should not effects the ayes and nos of those giving the thumbs up or down to what is being said.