Patriotism and Other Ponderous Concepts

The quote: "We need anything politically important rationed out like Pez: small, sweet and coming out of a funny plastic head." —Dennis Miller

A sad commentary on the state of the American public's attention span. In our collective defense, however, I must put forward the observation that it is onerous to keep one's attention focussed on the disconnected mental wanderings of certain individuals when those wanderings dribble out of their mouths in odd catch phrases and platitudes. Give me a politician who can step to the podium and convey an intelligent message with captivating prose and I'll listen for hours.

Of course, every politician who steps to the podium promising the hope of intelligent thought conveyed via elegant prose, and who then disappoints should be subject to an atomic wedgie. An effective deterent for pre-election running off at the mouth.


The quote: "Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone an apothegm, at which many will start: 'Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.' But let it be considered that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretend patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest." —Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), quoted in Boswell's Life of Johnson

Let everything be considered in its context. What kind of patriotism are we practicing when we attempt to bring democracy to another country? Perhaps in other leaders' hands it might be successful, but can Bush and Cheney actually be motivated by generosity? Clue: Not in a million years. The best hope in the quagmire that is Iraq is the military leadership doing the real work despite the posing going on here at home.

To the public demanding the military be pulled out because the whole exercise seems to be a failure: Reconsider your opinion of a failure, people. Just because your opinions are as changeable as your clothing, doesn't mean the convictions of a confused and frightened populace living in an entirely different culture are as changeable. This is their country, government and economy we are talking about. It is a bit difficult to convince good men and women to run for office in our own relatively peaceful country because of the stresses and scrutiny they will endure. How difficult is it to convince good people in Iraq to step to the fore when assassination is pretty much a guarantee, not to mention they'll be taking the reins of a country in civil war, with border nations threatening them (i.e. Turkey for the moment), and a foreign power currently in residence? That is a hard sell. Without that leadership in place and an impetus on the part of the populace to respect it, don't expect success any time soon.

Nations aren't built along a timeline, and they certainly aren't built along a timeline laid down by a foreign government. It was a bit naive to think it could be. I can understand why we want deadlines, but did we actually think these deadlines would be met? Commentary is beginning that we are looking at a prolonged effort like Korea. Korea is a rather neat package by comparison because there is a physical border involved. I'm exasperated at the lack of forethought that anyone has/is put/putting into the situation.

I believe I should step off my soapbox now. Thanks for letting me put my $.02 out there.


The quote: "I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." —John Adams (1735-1826)

In a utopian society, his scheme might have worked. However, John Adams never had to face the reality of a "crumbling infrastructure". Today our sons and daughters must study all of the above, plus they must have a working knowledge of electronics, programming, and at least two foreign languages (not including texting shorthand).

Thanks for stopping by!

What a Mess

Just seems to be the appropriate sentiment/critique/statement of the moment.


The quote: "When the thistle blooms and the chirping cicada sits on trees and pours down shrill song from frenziedly quivering wings in the trilsome summer, then goats are fatter than ever and wine is at its best; women's lust know no bounds and men are all dried up, because the dog star parches their heads and knees and the heat sears their skin. Then, ah then, I wish you a shady ledge and your choice wine, bread baked in the dusk and mid-August's goat milk and meat from a free-roving heifer that has never calved—and from firstling kids. Drink sparkling wine, sitting in the shade with your appetite sated, and face Zephyr's breeze as it blows from mountain peaks. Pur three measures of water fetched from a clear spring, one that flows unchecked, and a fourth one of wine." —Hesiod (~7th Century)

This spread is a complete mess. I found the quote a long time ago, and wrote it into the book before I'd even decided what I was going to do. Creates quite a satisfying mess.


The quote: "Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps, for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they should be." —William Hazlitt (1778-1830)

For the past week or so, The Onion has had troops in the street handing out the paper. The little onion is not their onion, but my onion—the onion in my head. Nice to know it's in there in case things get too bland.

It's been a very long day. Thanks for stopping by.

Two Days In a Row!

You're going to get spoiled if I keep posting this frequently. I'm sure we don't really have to worry.



The quote: "Fortune can, for her pleasure, fools advance, and toss them on the wheels of chance." —Juvenal (55-127 AD)

It's crazy busy at the office these days, and I feel a little like the fool spinning wildly on the wheels of chance. The work I'm engaged in at the moment depends largely on the responses of others (many others), and I am utterly at their mercy. There will be an end to the chaos, and it will be a happy ending. The middle certainly is a mess, however.

Still getting showings, just no offers on the house yet. It's certainly a buyer's market at the moment...sigh. I had to disappear from the house between 7:30 and 8:30 on Tuesday, so I went to the forest preserve and had a late dinner picnic and did a little sketching (the one you see on this spread, and the candle on the previous spread). I returned to my house around 8:35 only to find the realtor's car in my driveway and the realtor and his client just getting out of the car to go inside. Ah, the joy of selling a home....