On a clear day you can see for miles

Lordy. I’m sure you are all well aware of Rosie’s very public deViewing this weekend. And for those of you who still haven’t heard yet, is there enough room for me too under that big rock you apparently call home? A quick recap for the cave dwellers. Wednesday: An epic blowout between Rosie and Elisabeth is captured finger-wag by finger-wag through the magic of spilt screen and ratings-mad producers. Thursday: Rosie takes the day off to celebrate her partner Kelli’s birthday as media outlet across the country pee themselves with delight replaying the fight ad nauseum. Friday: ABC announces that Rosie has asked to be released from the final three weeks of her contract and is now no longer enjoying any View. Monday: A pre-taped episode airs where the gals celebrate Elisabeth’s birthday, complete with Rosie warmly offering her a week’s vacation at her Miami house. And so ends the Rosie era on “The View” -- with a bang, then a whimper and finally the definition of irony.

This whole crazy affair has made one point abundantly clear: Politics is personal. We as a nation have lost the ability to rationally, emotionlessly, sanely discuss our political views without things becoming uncomfortably personal. There is no discourse, only discord. We are so polarized that instead of building bridges, we fill the gaping chasm between our ideologies with sound and fury. And, well, we all know what that signifies. I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, if our president refuses to listen to opposing viewpoints, how can one we expect more from an electorate which put him in office twice? (Well, once, but that’s an old drum and I’ve grown tired of beating it.)

Despite my past grumbles, I will miss Rosie. We need more outspoken women with strong opinions on television. And say what you will about her conspiracy theories and celebrity smackdowns, but she has been a consistent and passionate voice for her beliefs. And unlike the calculated talking heads and role-playing pundits, I believe Rosie spoke from the heart. We can’t really ask for more from our public figures than that. Plus, love her or hate her, she made that show infinitely more interesting to watch. Well, we’ll always have the blog. I mean, really, celebrities don’t get much more unvarnished than this.