The yokels have spoken and allowed this sideshow barker entrance to the main tent. HEY RUBE!!!!

 

Rick Perry and Sean Hannity patrolling the border

A conversation

Rick: Hang back, pilgrim. I got this.

Sean: No, no … it’s my turn. I get to be The Duke.

Rick: Not on my watch. I’m The Duke here-a-bouts.

Sean: No fair. Hey mom … Rick won’t let me be John Wayne!

"Baseball is the only real game." - Babe Ruth

              July 4^th, 2012

Dear Lucy,

Today is my birthday. I am 69 years old. Since you are new to this world, I wanted you to know a few things that occurred before you graced my life with your presence.

In 1975 I met a Lucy who brought me great joy and my life became brighter than I could ever have hoped. Her given name was Lucretia, but everyone called her Lucy. The meaning of the name is ‘bringer of light’ and that is exactly what she did. She was your grandmother.

In 1976 my life became even brighter with the arrival of our baby Cynara. She is, of course, your mother. I could hardly believe how happy I was.

Five years later, in 1981, Lucy and I had a son. He is your Uncle Anton. I felt like the luckiest man alive.

In July 5^th, 1985, darkness arrived when your grandmother died. Your mother was 9 years old and your Uncle Anton was only 4. We were all terribly hurt, but we stayed together and loved each other even more because that is what families do in times of misfortune and heartbreak.

When your mother Cynara met your mother Stacy, the light began to grow stronger. When you were born on May 16^th, 2012, the world again became a bright place filled with promise. Thank you for restoring the light for all of us. I hope one day you will appreciate how much you are loved by so many.

Tebow Controversy Ludicrous


Tim Tebow wants to exhibit his faith to the world. Okay. Although I think this is a desperate and somewhat amusing gesture to propagate his principles on a global stage, I say go for it. Many baseball players have been making the sign of the cross before an at bat ever since I can remember. They point skyward while crossing the plate after a homerun. If we endeavor to curtail these displays in all sports we’ll have quite an undertaking going forward. Soccer? I don’t think we’ll have much success in that arena. At any rate we don’t want to don the cloak of suppression.

Speaking of suppression, I’ll make a deal with the religious right. Although I don’t share his values, I will not contest Tim Tebow’s right to self-expression. Conversely, don’t strive to deny gay couples the right to love whom they wish and to raise their families in a legally sanctioned marriage. Yes, I am invoking the old ‘Goose / Gander’ metaphor. While growing up, exposure to the religious proclivities of Major League players crossing themselves left only a surface impression. We would all imitate these players while stepping up to the plate, but the influence ended there. I didn’t embrace Jesus as ‘my lord and savior’ any more than I could hit like a major leaguer, so the argument that marriage equality can encourage ‘abhorrent’ behavior is specious at best. Leave people to lead their lives as they deem best and ‘look to your own house.’ 

                              Some Things Never Change

“You understand what I mean by “they.” You know who they are. They are not essentially Republicans, but they have seized the Republican party as a vehicle for their ambitions. They are the partisans of privilege – the champions of monopoly – the opponents of liberty, the adversaries of the small businessman, and the small farmer. They have been here a long time. They used to run the earth and run the world of men, but now – just now – they’re losing out. They are making one of their last stands in this election. Must I name them? You know who they are. They have a long, long, weary, bloody history.”

Orson Welles  1944

Gesundheit!

I offer this blessing to Mother Earth, who is retching, belching, and about to heave all the garbage we have forced down her gullet in the name of corporate expansion. Polar bears are drowning. Haiti and Japan are not isolated incidents. Katrina and Irene are individual designations we have given to the larger phenomenon known as climate change. Scientists have been warning us for years, but their voices have been deafened by tea sipping partygoers and their ministers of Gods’ own word that all is due to our progressive evolution regarding abortion, same sex marriage, and secular determination. This is the logic that we are supposed to digest before we go to the polls and elect our representatives. If the sheep outnumber the astute, then the planet will be rendered terminal.

I once thought we were better than this, but I may have underestimated the powers of the United Corporations of America. And these conglomerates have not miscalculated the stupidity of the general public. Just tell them what God wants of them and wiggle the shiny inducements of conspicuous consumption, American idols, and celebrity scandals in front of their faces and they will be pleasantly satiated. Charley Sheen, in spite of his destructive compulsions, has become the national common denominator. LOSING!