Eugene David<br>...The One-Minute Pundit

Now the P. T. Barnum of beauty pageants -- facing the imminent execution of his property on cable -- has vowed to make it more "traditional", something I suggested some time ago, and for which I was not paid millions to suggest; but he'll be lucky if he gets a third of the audience from last time. The public is not fooled; they know this cretin helped pile all manner of gimmicks on the contest, until it became just another TV show. And who wants to watch that?

P. S. This explains a lot:

Art McMaster brings more than 20 years of international financial and executive management experience to his position. He joined the Miss America Organization in 1999 as Controller. In this capacity he successfully implemented information technology and new accounting systems; and led the efforts that increased profitability of Competition Magazine. Additionally he reorganized and reduced costs associated with The Miss America Pageant Ticket Office and started a new online digital photography store. Mr. McMaster was promoted to the position of Vice President of Finance in 2000 and then company Vice President in 2002 responsible for operational and business administration.

Prior to joining the Miss America Organization, Mr. McMaster served as Senior Planner and Assistant to Vice President for Saudi Arabian Oil Company in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 1999. In this position he managed a staff of 12 professionals responsible for financial reporting and analysis of a support services business segment with 3,200 employees, 7,000 contract personnel and $7 billion in assets. Previous to that Mr. McMaster served as Controller for the engineering firm of Day and Zimmerman, Philadelphia, from 1988 to 1991, and served as Field Administration Manager for Raytheon Engineers, Philadelphia, from 1985 to 1988. In both capacities he was involved in corporate strategic planning, the development of hundred million dollar budgets and the creation of financial management and reporting systems.

Mr. McMaster earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University, Missouri, and has completed the Executive Financial Management Program at the University of Michigan. Active in his community Mr. McMaster serves as a Eucharistic Minister with the Holy Family Parish and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. McMaster resides in Sewell, New Jersey, with his wife Theresa and his three daughters Natalie, Stephanie and Katie, along with his two grandchildren, Charles and Nicholas.

TRANSLATION: The Pointy Haired Boss produces a beauty pageant.