FOX News' Politics had a nice headliner:

"Obama's Reputation for Exemplary Oratory Open to Debate. While some admire President Obama's speaking skills, others mock them, saying he's only comfortable with teleprompters."

I find myself pining for days gone by (well before my time) when presidents - well, leaders of any kind - were able to voice their thoughts without...well...any help whatsoever.

"From the 2004 Democratic convention speech that launched him onto the national stage to his acceptance of his party's nomination four years later, Barack Obama's public speaking skills have been considered one of his strongest assets.

But while the president's ability is admired -- and at least one Web site promises to teach it to you -- Obama also is mocked by critics who say he's only comfortable with teleprompters.

One web site has compiled clips of him stumbling verbally without them. [OK, so the video montage is a little extreme - I really don't think Obama smokes crack.] For example: "And if they just gave him treatment early, and, uh, they got some treatment," he misspoke at a campaign stop. "And a breathalyzer..uh a inhalator.""

You've got to love this: Bush was repeatedly lambasted for his Texan ignoramus and now we see that Obama has carried the torch of "bad impromptu speak" in honor of W.

Sure...if one isn't allowed a few misspeaks now and then, then talking of...um...speaking really shouldn't be allowed. I mean...uh...we live in an age where families need the support of technology to manage their...to get by...and to have hhoope for their American dreams.

OK, really... I have three fool-proof techniques for Obama and for anyone else struggling to communicate with other people WITHOUT anyone or anything helping them along. I mean come on, a teleprompter at a town-hall meeting? I suppose he uses one when he's saying goodnight to his children as well.

1) Know something about what you are talking about.

2) Don't make something up (words...for example) to cover for a comment you made about something you didn't know anything about.

3) If you rely on a teleprompter or a scriptwriter so that you don't say something naturally evil, stupid, or moronic and therefore embarrassing, don't just practice reading the teleprompter more and don't fire your scriptwriter, try a little character study, examination of conscience, and research first...then try public speaking again.