So the Leader is coming tomorrow, and it threatens to be one of those massive non-events.

It’s big news, obviously, any time the president comes to town. But what’s he going to say? I mean, what is he possibly going to say?

Besides invoking 9/11 and “teh terrorists” about 5,000 times apiece.

There are protests planned both this evening on Penn Square and tomorrow, the day of the event, across from the Jay Group on Indian Springs Drive in West Hempfield Township. The demonstrations are ostensibly to focus on the Leader’s “spending priorities,” primarily his promised veto of the SCHIP legislation. But you know and I know the war in Iraq is likely to be the dominant topic - as well it should be.

And in the end he’ll come, mouth the usual platitudes that ceased to mean anything three years ago, have his picture splashed all over the local TV networks and the front page of the newspaper, and all of it, I’m sure, will reassure the faithful. But it will mean nothing; or rather, only those desperate to find meaning will locate it in a visit from this, the lamest of the lame ducks, flying to friendly turf as his polls remain mired in Carter terroritory, where they belong - anywhere but here.