There’s a temptation to use this column to comment on current events instead of localized topics and themes based on past events and personalities. So, with this in mind, I’m going to suggest exactly how the sometimes overly opinionated media folks can provide valuable advice and counsel for our nation’s leaders.

Now, just who are these overly opinionated media folks? Some are on the radio, some write columns and articles for newspapers and magazines, and others pontificate with their opinions on the cable television news channels.

These self-proclaimed media stars aren’t at all shy with their opinions on any topic. I have yet to hear one of these characters say, &uot;I don’t know the answer right now, but I’ll do some research and have the correct answer as soon as possible.&uot; Instead, they’re all too confident and opinionated with their talking and writing. In other words, they’re always right and never make misteaks. (That’s a deliberate error, folks.)

Yet, as we watch, listen and read what these folks are constantly presenting, one gets the feeling they’re wasting their time. And we’re wasting our time by watching, listening and reading their constant offerings. Instead, all this talent should be used for the best interests of our nation.

What I’m proposing is a separate organization to be called the Council of Correspondents. This organization would consist of maybe a hundred of the media folks from radio, television and publications. They would represent the full spectrum from extreme liberal to extreme conservative and serve as unpaid volunteer advisors to our nation’s Congress and political leaders. One could say this council would become a fourth cog of government and be equal to the executive, judicial and legislative branches which now exist.

Please note that I used the terms of liberal and conservative in the last paragraph. I refuse to regard people of being left or right when it involves politics, except when it comes to handwriting. Anything else in this regard is just wrong and not right at all.

In case the concept of the Council of Correspondents doesn’t quite fit, I do have two other suggested names to be considered for these alleged stars of radio, television and print. How about the Panel of Pundits? And as a third title, I’m suggesting the Assembly of Media Advisors.

Before anyone gets too excited about this unusual suggestions, lets realistically examine several important factors.

First, the media stars for the council, panel or assembly would have to serve without pay. That factor alone should cut the participants down to next to nothing.

Second, if these opinionated loudmouths had to be elected to serve by the nation’s voters, then that alone would kill off the whole proposition. All too many of these characters have never held an elective office of any type. Also, their prospects of ever being honestly elected to serve in any type of public service are mighty miserable.

Third, any gathering of such a diverse group of conceited characters would be a raucous disaster. They would be trying to outshout each other. In no way could such a gathering of know-it-alls ever arrive at a consensus on anything.

Fourth, despite what one of the cable television news networks calls &uot;fair and balanced,&uot; there’s no guarantee this advisory group could avoid becoming unfair and unbalanced.

Fifth, let’s just hope such an advisory group doesn’t get involved with military planning. All too many of these media stars have never served in the nation’s armed forces. Those that have served are retired officers who have thought patterns based on one or two wars ago. Also, there’s already too much civilian control and involvement with the armed forces.

Sixth, our nation would be much better off if my suggestion for the council, panel or assembly of media stars is completely ignored.

Tribune feature writer Ed Shannon’s column appears Fridays in the Tribune.