My first two columns concerned the subject of journalism, or that which often passes for journalism these days: Sensationalism, Fluff and Smut. Here’s more on that same topic.

The world economy has fallen into a state of chaos. As a consequence of this, the national economy is having its bumpiest ride of this half of the century.

Other volatile domestic and foreign situations abound. Embassies are bombed and missiles are launched. Ethnic “cleansing” continues unabated in different parts of the world.

Houses of worship are systematically burned to the ground because of the race of their congregations.

The depletion of the ozone layer continues and, where its effects are most noticeable, sheep are going blind from grazing under a sun once thought to be benevolent.

How’s this for a headline: “Sun No Longer Benevolent Due to Depletion of Ozone Layer — CFCs and Burning of Fossil Fuels Largely to Blame!”

For months now, headlines have centered on the extra-marital affair of the nation’s leading politician.

I’ll say it again: Pulp fiction sells papers, but it’s not News.

It’s when journalists dignify such political tactics with front-page headlines that they effectively legitimize them.

With the force of the national media behind them, partisan attacks can change policies, leaders and the fate of the country.

Political “character bashing” is enjoying its heyday in the late 1990s. In his cold, red, white and blue grave, Senator Joseph McCarthy must be grinning from ear to mildewed ear.

From the time of Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1992, his enemies have smelled blood. “Slick Willy” is a prime candidate for the “muckraker” political tactician.

Regardless of what you can say about the accomplishments of his administration (which even his detractors view as significant), here is a fellow whose personal problems are embarrassingly prominent.

Today, Clinton’s presidency stands teetering on the brink of extinction.

Who would have dreamed that the sexual peccadilloes of this man would have parlayed into a scandal of these proportions?

Prior to the events leading up to the current mess, did accounts of philandering politicians constitute news?

The effects of the unprecedented success of this brand of politics remain to be seen. Already we have politicians on the right being forced to preempt announcements of their own infidelities.

We learn that prominent Republican Dan Burton fathered a child with a state employee.

We discover that Idaho Republican Helen Chenoweth committed adulterous acts — ironic, considering that she was elected to office once it was disclosed that her opponent was an adulterer.

Our decision-makers may be spending more time covering their butts (or inquiring into the butts of others) than they do in making decisions concerning national policy.

Are we informed by this? Is it news that many politicians commit personal indiscretions, from nepotism to embezzlement to adultery to accepting “favors” — even bribes?

Is it news that some politicians spend a portion of their imperfect lives as alcoholics or spouse-abusers or just plain jerks? Was anyone in this country oblivious to this knowledge?

And yet, we are supposed to be shocked. Ken Starr’s report comes out and tells us that Clinton received oral sex from Ms. Lewinsky while on the telephone with a U.S. congressman.

Like there isn’t a decent chance the congressman on the other end of the line wasn’t getting his own blow job! (Far from unheard of … especially these days.)

Americans are not naive. Most of us realize that politicians, movie stars, professional athletes and other types of celebrities exist as a separate class of citizen in our society.

Many of the rules simply do not apply to these people. They are what author Tom Wolfe refers to as “Masters of the Universe.”

In their world, it is their due to have extra-marital affairs and enjoy front row seats at the world championships of every sport going.

For these folks, parking tickets are a thing of the past.

So please, don’t give me that stuff about “abuse of power.”

Such abuses are commonplace and often winked at.

Indiscretions of various sizes are committed. We should concern ourselves only when these indiscretions affect our standing in the world or involve great human injustice.

Unless we plan to revolutionize the world and destroy all remnants of a class system, we should forget about the peccadilloes.

We like tabloid journalism, but let’s keep it in the tabloids. It’s out of control.

It is titillating to read about presidential sex, BUT FOR GOD’S SAKE, PEOPLE, THE SHEEP ARE GOING BLIND!

Why don’t journalists run information under that headline for weeks at a time until people are informed and concerned enough to change that situation?

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James O’Donnell is a graduate student in painting, drawing and printmaking from Mesa, Ariz.