to him. Tonight's concert and fireworks show is being broadcast to military posts in Afghanistan and elsewhere. "We cast Glenn Beck specifically because he's been very supportive of the troops and as we're broadcasting our show to the troops and [because] he's specifically hosting the segment where we are speaking to the troops, he was selected," said Brad Pelo, the Stadium of Fire's senior executive producer.

Pelo says organizers are sensitive to charges of partisanship. After Hannity hosted the event for two straight years, event officials switched to a multiple-host format because "we recognize that perception creates reality in the mind of the public." duties with actress Regina Taylor and comedian Fred Willard when the festivities begin at 8 p.

m. Still, Utah County Democratic Party chairman Richard Davis says the Stadium of Fire could easily dispense of any partisan flavor simply by bringing in hosts who have no political strings attached. Basically, Davis said, "we wanted to blunt the idea that a particular ideology had a monopoly on patriotism, on the celebration of American values," he said.

On that much, Stadium of Fire producer Pelo says he agrees. "It should be a day to unite us as a community," he said. "It should be a day to celebrate what we have in common, which is our heritage.

" If so, Davis, a political science professor at BYU, says that the sentiment will have to wait until next year. He remains unconvinced there were no political motives attached to this year's M.C.

"Glenn Beck has been invited. There is no way to change that," he said. Return to Top to him.