Ramble on…
Writing by treason on Monday, 23 of January , 2006 at 11:31 pm
1. Disturbing news
For years I’ve wondered why so few people share my birthday. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who was born on the same day, but several people - and dogs - close to me were born within days of that date. I’d see lists of “Famous People Who Share Your Birthday” and I’d always see Christopher Wren. Just Christopher Wren. Years passed and the list grew to include Mickey Mantle and Arlene Francis. Then Bela Lugosi. Arthur Rimbaud. Jerry Orbach. I understand Tom Petty and Viggo Mortensen are on the list, too. Well, I just heard that I share my birthday with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. I don’t know why, but for some reason that just rubbed me the wrong way. It got me thinking: What other psycho, murderous fanatics share that date?
I surfed for information (I urge everyone to see what happened on their birthdate in history or at least what was going on the year they were born) and I actually found a long list of names. Good God. Heinrich Himmler? I was skeptical. So I double checked a few and discovered that Michael Dunn (love him), Margaret Dumont, and John Dewey were, indeed, born on my birthday. However, Martin Landau, Herschel Bernardi, Connie Chung, and Himmler were not. But, alas, Snoop Dogg was.
2. PBS doesn’t suck totally
Every now and then there’s something interesting to watch so I can’t write off public television completely. I set aside some time for American Experience this week - I wanted to catch the story of John and Abigail Adams. It always struck me as odd that feminists held up Eleanor Roosevelt as their great heroine. What about Abigail Adams? I’ve always been partial to the Adamses, and Abigail is as fascinating a historical figure as her husband. What a pair. Just one reason the American Revolution is one of the most exciting and dramatic periods in world history. Hollywood could never concoct as great a story.
3. Bush unscripted - again
The President spoke at Kansas State University and although the Left will pick this one apart, those who support Bush are just reminded why they voted for him. Sure, he stumbled a few times and rambled a little, but he was comfortable, funny, spontaneous, and charming.
“You know, it’s amazing, when people say to me, well, he was just breaking the law — if I wanted to break the law, why was I briefing Congress?”
“And then there’s my man, Barney, a little Scottish terrier. I say this — and Laura will be furious at me — he’s the son I never had, you know?”
“I believe in what I’m doing. And I understand politics, and it can get rough. I read a lot of history, by the way, and Abraham Lincoln had it rough. I’m not comparing myself to Abraham Lincoln, nor should you think just because I mentioned his name in the context of my presidency — I would never do that. He was a great President. But, boy, they mistreated him. He did what he thought was right.”
“I don’t think you’re too busy for things that are important in your life, and you can figure out ways to make time in your life. And so I’m the kind of guy — I’m not running too well these days; I’m not running hardly at all. It’s kind of like my knees are like tires, you know, and they’re bald.”
“First of all, Laura pays attention to what’s going on. And so she offers her advice. And it’s sound advice…down-to-earth, no airs, common-sense point of view. And so I appreciate very much when she does give me her advice, which can be too frequent sometimes…It’s like the time — she tells the story about the time when I was running for Congress in 1978 in West Texas, and she criticized one of my speeches. And I ran into the garage door. But the best — I guess the best way to describe it is, one, I value her judgment, and I know it comes from her heart. And I appreciate the perspective she brings. Common sense is just a very important part of being a decision-maker. There is something reassuring to me when I get advice from somebody who’s got the best interests in mind, got my best interest in mind, as well as just this kind of down-to-earth read on the situation. And that’s how I view my advice from Laura…And so we’ve got a great relationship. You know, when I married her, she really didn’t like politics, didn’t care particularly for politicians either. And here she is the First Lady of the United States. And she is good. Boy, I tell you, she’s — when she speaks, she’s very credible because she’s a decent, credible person. And I love her a lot.”
Instead of criticizing, Democrats should take note. I believe the average American would enjoy watching a ballgame and munching a hot dog with Dubya. Going to the ballpark with Algore, John Kerry, or even Hillary would just not be as fun. As much as I dislike Bill Clinton, I could probably watch a game and have a few beers and dogs with the man.
I’m trying to come up with a 2008 Democrat candidate who’s as comfortable with him or herself as Bill and I can’t. Hopefully the party won’t be able to, either.
4. And speaking of presidents
Frankly, when I heard that Gerald Ford was in the hospital with pneumonia, I moaned. I’ve written here about how pneumonia (”You can cheat Death, but you can’t cheat Pneumonia,” 5/27/05), and I can’t help think that as strong as Ford is (athletic and fit like Reagan), this illness is going to help escort him to the other side. I dread that report.
5. And speaking of presidents again
I caught a little of Michael Medved’s interview with Leonard Steinhorn, author of The Greater Generation: In Defense of the Baby Boom Legacy. Don’t get me started.
6. And speaking of presidents AGAIN
I was having a few beers with a couple Democrat friends recently and I mentioned something about their party being so quick to criticize the power of the Executive, and how they might not be so quick to limit a president once Hillary’s elected.
“That’s not gonna happen.”
“Sure it will. Everything they’re saying now will be reversed once Hillary is president.”
“Hillary won’t be president.”
“Sure she will.”
“No way.”
“You’re telling me that Hillary won’t be elected in 2008?”
“Yup.”
“Why is that?”
“America isn’t ready for a female president. It’s just not going to happen.”
“I’m ready for a female president. A Maggie Thatcher or a Condi Rice.”
“That won’t happen, either. Americans won’t elect a black candidate.”
“Sure they will.”
“Nope. No way. Even if a woman or an African-American were elected, they’d be assassinated. They’d be killed in office. No question.”
This coming from a Democrat? Hmmmm. This theory only makes 2008 more intriguing. I had a vision this week: Condi, in red, debating Hillary.
“Senator, could you please explain to me and the rest of America, precisely what you meant by plantation?”
I’m sure Dick Morris had the same vision and salivated.
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