"OK you veterans, line up for your medals!"

"You old guys and girls who were involved in the blackout of 1965, step forward!" It was a tough campaign and they promised us it would never happen again in our lifetimes. promises - promises. We told stories about how the dark overcame the light for many years and then came 1977.

"Veterans of 1977, step forward." 1977 was the year of the second blackout and also the year the King died (Elvis, I mean). New Yorkers went nuts. Men in short pants with flashlights came pouring out of their apartments to direct traffic. Looters did their thing and soon it was over. It was a thing of the past. The politicians promised us it would never happen again, again. Promises - promises.

"Veterans of the 2003 campaign, please step forward to receive your medals." No lights, no television, no traffic lights and no cellphones! Now that one was and is a bloody campaign. You definitely deserve your medal. While the mayor and the governor fought viciously to blame the other, you guys sat in your darkened homes with candles burning down to nubs and stared at the ceiling. Great work guys!

Soon the promises will come flying again.

This will be the blackout to end all blackouts.

Never again will food spoil in your refrigerators.

Never again will people be trapped in elevators.

Never again will cellphones fail

Science cannot be wrong four times in a row!

No more blackouts in our time!

And now for the highest medal in the land!

"Old-timers who have survived all three campaigns, 1965, 1977 and 2003, please limp forward. You guys deserve a standing ovation. Oh, the stories you must be able to tell. What bravery! What courage!"

Please accept this medal, which has an attached flashlight (and three AA Duralon batteries) and wear it proudly."

We have again been promised that blackouts have gone the way of the trolley-car and the horse and buggy.

This is the beginning of a new, light-filled era.

Amen!