Blahg

21 October 2011

Following on the heels of my expressions of pure disappointment in today's politicians, a thought struck me in the wee hours this morning:

It's sweet, poetic justice that the guy who pulled Moammar Ghadafi out of the sewer was sporting a New York Yankees cap.

That's not to say he was a die-hard fan of the Bronx Bombers, or that he ever in his life attended a Yankees game. There are suggestions that he got the baseball cap via a clothing donations campaign. In any case, it was in no way a garment of indigenous origination.

Nonetheless, the symbolism is so tasty as to be orgasmic. Much like the thought that the last person Osama Bin Laden saw in his last moments on planet Earth was... an American.

Now. Let's get our hands on Abdel Baset al-Megrahi.

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15 October 2011

I don't delve too deeply into politics on this site, but given the advances made by the Tea Party and now all the muckety-muck over the Occupy Wall St. gatherings, it's time to speak up a little more often.

A couple weeks ago there was some controversy - at least depending on your corner of the ring - regarding Pres. Obama's comments about the country having gone soft.

I think he's right.

But I also think the softness drifts from the top down. Most certainly career politicians - and that would include the Commander in Chief - are the softest of the soft.

Within the past several weeks I've read two incredible books, both written by Candice Millard, about two different U.S. presidents. Given my full docket, the fact that I blazed through them both is a testament to their compelling and well-crafted content.

One is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, about Teddy's dangerous - and shockingly misguided - journey through the Amazon. I've always been fond of Roosevelt, after whom the Teddy Bear was named. But I had no idea we also have so much in common. We both seek out personal challenges to keep moving forward and thrive on adventure when down in the dumps.

Roosevelt pulled himself together after suffering from asthma during his childhood. He effectively worked himself out of his physical ailments. He was a man of extremely strong character.

The other book is Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President. Another fascinating - and overlooked - episode in American history. The book ties together the scientific advances of Alexander Graham Bell with the efforts to save Pres. Garfield's life following the assassination attempt made by a 19th century wacko. Like Roosevelt, both Bell and Garfield were of strong character.

It was also interesting to read about how Garfield so reluctantly accepted his presidential nomination, knowing full well it would take him away from the lifestyle he loved so much. A life of personal pursuits and education; 19th century self-improvement at its best. As for Bell, he wanted to work with the deaf and felt waylaid by the success of the telephone.

Adding to the intrigue is a look at the horrifying medical practices at the time. More importantly, though, was the grace with which Garfield endured his mortal wound and the bottomless well of strength he demonstrated in the face of adversity. Strength with a cheerful demeanor.

All three men - Roosevelt, Garfield, and Bell - worked tirelessly in pursuit of their passions while also recognizing and stepping up to the demands placed before them.

While reading both of these gems, it struck me how far off track politicians have gone. I would estimate that exactly zero politicians today carry the fortitude of Roosevelt and Garfield. In comparison, today's politicians are nothing more than well-healed egotists who have lost sight of the sweat and blood that was put into making the United States a free country.

I'll leave it at that and recommend readers of this blahg go on to read Millard's books. Read, learn, then live. For me, part of the excitement behind these two fine books was that they were discovered, in part, as the result of having received a free Kindle during my travels on the U2 360° tour (at times, the travels were much more akin to a Teddy Roosevelt-style test of physical exertion than a Rick Steves pleasure trip). The Kindle has ignited an unprecedented period of literary enlightenment, one that includes biographies of Benjamin Franklin, the Churchills, Aaron Aaronsohn, T.E. Lawrence, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Worthy of reading about, one and all.

But, for now, there's more work to be done this fine Saturday afternoon...

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13 August 2011

Amidst a financial crisis that has gripped the entire planet and numerous other issues buffeting the nation, some of America's "leaders" are on vacation in Martha's Vineyard. Others are back home, hopefully being berated by an angry populace. The most brazen of them are in Hawaii, spending a lush weekend in the sun ahead of a meeting late in the week.

I say we should take advantage of this, America!

While they're away, lets change all the locks in Washington!

Maybe at this point they can't possibly make things any worse after the mess their infinite wisdom (or, more certainly, lack thereof) has created. But that's a bet I don't want to make.

The current crew is better suited for a circus. Surely Barnum & Bailey would take them on the road for some laughs, or at least to serve as targets for some water dunking competitions and tomatoes flung from the stands. And surely there are serious people out there who want to lead this country.

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