Yet the macho posturing is not just posturing; it also says something about both the candidates and America's state of mind.Both Messrs Kerry and Bush are products of a preppie establishment that once put a premium on the manly virtues of athleticism and civic leadership.
So why can't your moods tell you something about your body posture?
Posturing about the fallout of Y2K is the latest strategy.
First, there are the hand movements that emphasize the words the posture of the hand as it beats the air will tell you something about the mood of the person.
For all his military posturing, Mr Chávez, writes Mr Carroll, "carried a plastic sword".Someone with more repressive instincts might have done something about the country's terrifying murder rate.
The purpose of the protests is to keep the problem in the public limelight and, it is hoped, force elected officials to do something about it rather than just kick the can down the road and take political postures.
Something about Porridge?
Something about leaded gas.
Something about Louis XIII.
Something about a "Godgame".
