The morning TV news and the local papers contain items about Nancy Pelosi signing the impeachment order for President Trump, a major political event although the emphasis seems to be on the number of pens, she used to sign that order.

The pen count given as seventeen in one paper and over two dozen in another is surely irrelevant but perhaps shows what the priorities can be, political favours rather than political actions. The inaccuracy of the pen count could be just poor reporting rather than any deliberate attempt to mislead the public. My count for her signature is twelve pens assuming she does dot the i.

The concept that the pens have an actual value and are on display in politicians offices is also confusing and highlights a waste of what I assume are tax payer dollars given that a single dot on the i will leave a fair amount of ink left in the pen. I am not sure how much will be left in the marker pens that President Trump uses as his signature is much larger and darker. If anyone wonders why there is cynicism about politics, especially amongst the younger generations, I think I can put a fine point on it or a thicker point if using a marker pen.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne, Australia