The columnist recalls a former newspaper colleague, who wore a t-shirt emblazoned, “Never trust an editor or a politician!”  Sage advice. However, while in the trenches of two newspapers, I was guided by some copy editors, whom I respected and trusted, including: the late Ed Presberg; Renee Stovsky; Peter Fauer; Ellen Gardner; the  late Marty  Goldman; erstwhile editor Sally Bixby Defty and the beloved editor, Richard Weil. There was also a great deal of respect and trust for broadcast critic-turned commentary editor Eric Mink. One day, I cornered late managing editor David Lipman to heap praise on a Mink-penned column.  Lipman turned to me and said, “You’re right, but, he’s too moralistic.”  Can we say that about some politicians?  Some have three hats: one they wear; one they toss into the ring and one they talk through.  There was the mayor – all for improvements.  The first thing he did was to have a nice paved road put in. It ran the whole length of his property.  I knew a politician, who left public life the hard way – he didn’t write a book.  Some can’t stand on their records until they get their feet out of their mouths. People who don’t know America is the Land of Promise, should be here during an election campaign. There are some politicians, who approach every question with an open mouth.  Some public officials here are often those who’ve risen from obscurity to something worse. The columnist knows one, who won’t admit that honesty is the best policy. First, he wants to try the other way. When I hear that a politician is a self-made person, I’m thrilled that the candidate
took the responsibility off the rest of us. And, in politics a gift with which the giver says “thanks,” the receiver says “don’t mention it.”