In the classic TV sitcom Cheers, know-it-all barfly Cliff Clavin often filled gaps in conversation with unsolicited information — absurd, totally unbelievable, easily disproven information — but delivered with complete confidence. A particular favorite example of mine had Cliff offering his long-suffering buddies, Norm and Frasier, this little nugget:
"Yeah, it's a genetic quirk in the Clavin family that we all have two extra teeth. Ya see, that's the only way that we can prove that we are the rightful heirs to the Russian throne."
There's a perfect comedic pause and then Frasier says, "Hello in there, Cliff." Another pause. "Tell me — what color is the sky in your world?"
Fellow Americans, we have always had Cliff Clavins in our country. Lots of them. I imagine that most countries do. But we seem to have made the unfortunate mistake these past few years of actually listening to them.
Seriously. We gotta stop doing that.
John Auchter is a freelance political cartoonist. His views are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Michigan Radio, its management, or its license holder, the University of Michigan.
