Nobody asked me, but... Column By Ray Barrington As always, with apologies to Jimmy Cannon, nobody asked me, but... It was not a good weekend around this columnist's household. Not only did the Packers do their best imitation of a dead goldfish Monday, but my wise wife - the Georgia girl - saw both the Braves and the University of Georgia do the same. And the Georgia loss was also against Tennessee. Is it possible to drive there next year without going through that state? The funniest thing to come out of Monday night was a report from the police that two guys were arrested for getting in a fight in the parking lot. They were defending their respective presidential candidates. Who says there was no defense being played at Lambeau Field? Maybe that's what the Packers should do. Put nothing but liberals on the defensive line and tell them President Bush is playing quarterback. Or vice versa. Last week, we drove through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Hands down, the most idiotic drivers remain in Illinois. I don't know about you, but as a confirmed slob, I sleep better at night knowing Martha Stewart can't get at me for the next five months. If Michael Moore were smart, he'd immediately offer the rights for a showing of "Fahrenheit 9/11" to the Sinclair Broadcasting stations that are showing an anti-John Kerry film just before the election and calling it "news." If they show it, they can continue to claim some sort of credibility. If not, they are showing bias. One of the problems of only a few citizens getting involved in government is showing. The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority will have to deal with the St. Vincent Hospital parking ramp issue. However, at least three members of that board will have to abstain because they were on a task force looking at the issue or have other ties to the situation. It shouldn't be just the same people doing the work on every board, civic-minded though they are. Participating in government isn't always running for office. Finally, I'll close with excerpts from a letter I wrote a Houston high school teacher whose class is writing newspapers across the country to try to get insights on who will win the presidential election. Just remember, I am NOT an expert: --- Wisconsin has traditionally been a manufacturing state, and that aspect of the economy has faltered over the past four years. That would seem to tilt the state to Sen. Kerry. However, there is a strong streak here that supports President Bush and the war. Wisconsin is also a state with a high percentage of Catholics and non-Catholic pro-life supporters, and they prefer Bush's stance on abortion. Wisconsin has also been a target state for the "swift boat" ads attacking Kerry, and that may help tilt the state toward Bush. Statewide, Kerry's strength is in the three largest cities: Milwaukee (union workers), Madison (University of Wisconsin) and Green Bay (combination of both). The less urban parts of the state are mostly Republican. Democrats have won the last four presidential votes, have the governor's office and both U.S. Senate seats, but Wisconsin's eight-member Congressional delegation is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans and the GOP controls both seats of the Legislature. In short, it's a toss up. Bush is leading by less than the margin of error, and this election could come down to whatever parts of the state have the best weather on Election Day. If I had to pick, I'd say Bush, but by no more than a percentage point. Barrington is news editor for The News-Chronicle. His column appears here Fridays. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected] or call 432-2941.