Words and language are odd things: They can make us howl in laughter, or, change the arrangements, they can cast us into a pit of despair. Then, time went by, and we all more or less made it out of third grade psychologically intact -- but it was close for some, right?
If you kept both those extremes conceptually close, you're probably well-armed for everything else that followed. However, as we are all spiraling in on dementia, sooner or later, maybe some memory-joggers of those old survival skills will prove useful.
If you are at all fascinated by language, for example, you have to love it when someone gifts you with enough descriptive ammo to build a phrase like, "Romney's a flip-flopper, a stripper, and a flipper." All we're missing is The Gipper. Or not, as it turns out.
That such adjectives are launched by Ronald St. Reagan's former budget director, David Stockman, makes each word that much more powerful. And sweeter.
With luck, we can look forward to a former Massachusetts gubernatorial aide defecting, anxious to babble about Romney's one-term leadership outing, explaining that woeful, low-ball Willard-approval rating with as much concise research as Stockman explains Bain... and the Mittster himself.
The story link's below, along with some others. They're worth your time.
* * * * *
There are always constant, nagging choices to be made in life, like: How much caring and personal investment should one really provide the nation's current events and local news before one spontaneously melts down into all the body's various, disparate chemical elements?
A basic, protective human guideline is hereby offered -- the old adage, "Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think." You probably remember this one, but I find such Timely Reminders are quite handy in the heady, foaming, wild-eyed, hydrophobia glare of an election year involving Republicans.
George Carlin improved on the adage when he said, "When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."
He continued his advice for remaining sane, "Become a spectator." In short, have no emotional stake in the outcome. Become emotionally detached.
This is pretty good advice, it seems, if your usual piloting mode is to ride the airframe right into the ground, riding the reins, hollering all the way, even as you auger in. But, if your sense of self-piloting is more to take stock of the air-vehicle and analyze losing scenarios before they come to pass, preferring to punch out and eject in crisis...
Of course, that protective tuning out, right there, provides the spaced-out culture we have today, where the Ernest News Hour is filled with puppies and kittens playing, and close-up shots involving Nature not yet fully traumatized by corporate man.
Care too much, crash and burn; care too little, and have much more fun. It's an American mantra, right up there with, "JustHangOnUntilYouWinTheLottery...."
It's damned easy to see why America is a three-ring circus: distractions are valuable to the all-too-canny carny gang and pickpockets working the crowd, along with their constant, winking-eyed political machinations and corporate sleights-of-hand.
Besides, even all us easy marks in the population get a coffee break at least once a week. As part of Romney's 47%, we're feeling quite entitled to that.
So: Flip your own coin and pick a world, or commute between the two. (As there is no money to provide a full-scale tune-out, Carlin-style, I commute. Probably you, too.)
In keeping with good advice, though, here goes: The word gubernatorial was never so aptly and amusingly applied, as in the case of this particular goober, an ex- named Romney. And, direct from third grade? Ex marks the spot!
* * * * *
Onward: This Kolobian demigod wannabe Romney says he's religious? Well, now: more interesting Romney revelations are finding light of day, to which I can only say : "Let there be light."
(It was my only line in a 4th grade, Catholic school Christmas pageant. I never acted on stage again -- what role can an actor try, after one plays God, for heaven's sake?
And, thank you to all well-wishers -- the recovery continues! A big shout out to Catholics Anonymous, Chapter 347,263! More than three decades without a prayer -- in more ways than one! Smiley-face.)
* * * * *
Willard's Dad's long-time adviser is getting into the sprawling debates regarding the attributes and values of George Romney's spawn: "... Mitt would say and do anything to close a deal, or an election." He adds, "George would never have been seen with the likes of Sheldon Adelson or Donald Trump."
What's that other adage? Gamblers of a feather always put it all on one spin. They put it all on a lie? Something.
* * * * *
I'm thinking Carlin's advice, about having no emotional investment in outcomes, is really great advice if you can afford to take it -- monetarily speaking. As always, though: Life is a crap sandwich -- the more bread you have, the less crap you have to eat.
Employees at Sensata Technologies are pretty tired of that dietary menu. They work for Bain, but not much longer. They've been made to train their own replacements, then silently watch their one hundred seventy jobs move from Illinois to China.
Wave bye-bye, everyone. Want More Previews of Coming Attractions with Mitt, America?
* * * * *
OK, just a couple more, as long as we're being gluttons for punishment. Or amusement. One coin, two sides.
How about a 15-minute pit stop in which Paul Ryan and wife all but busted into a soup kitchen in order to don aprons for a quick photo op, appearing to wash dishes that were not dirty?
If that one doesn't set your governor (or ex-governor) a little too high, how about a little something extra in the pay envelope this week -- like a threat from your multi-billionaire bosses, the Kochs, with directions on who to vote for, if you know what's good for you?
* * * * *
Bonus: Congrats for making it this far in the free-fall coin-flip of serious-or-not decision-making today.
As Bill Maher recently said on his show, taking Focus on the Family to task for their overheated predictions of voting Obama in the last round, "Is there no penalty in America any more for just being wrong?"
Yes, Bill, there sure is -- and it's the same endlessly painful, life-endangering, nearly-crippling penalty Americans give to all blatant, bald-faced, sociopathic liars: Endless attention and spectacular rewards.
Welcome to the freak show. Gee, it's nice to have front-row seats, doncha think?
The bane of Romney: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/14/david-stockman-mitt-romney-and-the-bain-drain.html
Carlin's advice on remaining sane -- BEWARE the unsafe workplace language of The Carlin, even at age 70: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f0GStBCeUU&feature=related
Peekaboo Romney History: http://www.alternet.org/election-2012/5-disturbing-stories-about-mitt-romney-expose-his-private-worldview
George Romney's aide blasts The Mitt: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/romney-is-attacked-by-his-fathers-longtime-aide/
Sensata demonstrators: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iVoUm89vpGf0rypiI0KibwZv0d2Q?docId=CNG.848c3386fc1ed207b2f60c5b03ac54c3.271
Ryan family photo op: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iVoUm89vpGf0rypiI0KibwZv0d2Q?docId=CNG.848c3386fc1ed207b2f60c5b03ac54c3.271
Direct from the horse's asses' mouths: http://www.alternet.org/election-2012/koch-employees-vote-romney-or-bad-things-will-happen-maybe-your-job
Maher - brief story: http://www.alternet.org/bill-maher-right-wing-christians-if-you-do-gods-work-why-are-you-always-wrong
Maher - the story and a video clip - ALSO NOT SAFE for workplace speakers: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-if-focus-on-the-family-is-really-doing-gods-work-why-are-they-always-wrong/
