Tribute to Joe Scarborough

For all of you who are sick of the network TV morning follies, let me recommend one of the best shows on television: "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. It airs on weekdays from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., and if you want a serious yet very entertaining look at politics and popular culture, this is your program. Joe Scarborough is the host, Mika Brzezinski is his co-host, and Willie Geist adds his special flair to the mix.

Joe was first elected to Congress in 1994 with the Republican takeover, and he served his district there through 2001. Since he left Washington, he has used his experience there to establish himself as a premier television analyst of the American political landscape. "Scarborough Country" was his first show on MSNBC, and it aired at 9 p.m. on weekday evenings. This program ran from April 2003 until June of 2007, when "Morning Joe" took hold of the slot formerly held by the notorious Don Imus. I was incensed when Imus was unjustly stripped of his morning show and his reputation by a bunch of hypocrites, but I am addicted to "Morning Joe" now. It’s gotten really bad—I even dread weekends now because I am bored silly with other shows!

Joe hails from the "Redneck Riviera" in the Pensacola Beach corner of Florida, and he has more common sense, patriotism, and heart than all of the politicians combined in Washington. Joe plays no favorites—he criticizes everyone! Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives—when they fail to do their jobs or they betray the public trust, Joe will nail them.

There are no idiotic "stories" on where in the world is Joe Scarborough, no buffoon weatherman laughing uncontrollably and masquerading as a journalist, and no "fluff" segments on a cat who can predict the future. Just politics at its coolest. They have outstanding guests every single day, including Pat Buchanan, Mike Barnacle, David Gregory, Hillary Clinton, Tucker Carlson, and Harold Ford Jr., and although it would not be categorized as a hard-hitting show, the interviews are straightforward, probing, and fair. And with all of the criticism that MSNBC has received in recent months for its liberal slant and bias toward Obama, they had better do everything they can to keep Joe happy. As I have stated previously, if it weren’t for Joe Scarborough and Pat Buchanan, I would watch Fox News exclusively.

As much as I love watching "Morning Joe", I believe that America would be a lot better off if Joe were still in Congress or in an even higher position. With the utter lack of courage and leadership in Washington today, Joe would bring all of us together—because he is a uniter, not a divider. I know that his family obligations forced his retirement from Congress, and I understand. So for now, I will be content to enjoy every minute with him on morning television. God bless you, Joe, and Mika and Willie too!