It's a puzzler.

Killing Saddam Hussein made things worse.

Killing Muamar Gadaffi made things worse.

Removing Hosni Mubarak made things worse.

Now they want to bomb Bashar al-Assad.

I wonder what will happen?

A Filibuster Full of Bluster

Filibusters are amazing things.

"I'm just going to keep talking until I get my way!"

"Well, okay, but if you sit down you lose your turn!"

It's almost incomprehensible to me that this is how powerful, educated men and women conduct their business.

It sounds more like a kindergarten, or Pee Wee's Playhouse.

 

Get the whole world to sing along…

[embed]https://youtu.be/Xeo3bLs15A4[/embed]

Kenny Roger’s fan club voted this as the song they most wanted to hear on his Farewell Tour.

Full lyrics HERE.

Chocolate

[embed]https://youtu.be/tSmqYSVVpTM[/embed]

I miss comedy duos.

I like gentle humor with a touch of absurdity, comedy that doesn’t put anybody down or make anybody angry.

"Pics or it didn't happen."

This is one of those times I feel woefully out of step with American culture.

To me, snapping cell phone pictures of the hearse outside the church, then taking more pictures of the casket inside the church, is disrespectful and tacky.

Obviously, there are a lot of people who feel differently.

Photos via CBS News.

New-Fangled Whatchamacallits

From CBS News:

(President Barack) Obama noted that while he now has a smartphone, he can’t use some of the basic functions -- like texting, taking photos or listening to music.

Let's hope he is exaggerating for comedic effect.

Me, Too

I Am
by Mike Frawley

I am a soldier of the world
choosing no sides I lay no blame
carrying nothing but this smile
armed with peace I take my aim

I am a child of the universe
far brighter than any star or sun
I share a sacred bond with you
for we are not two we are one

I am a friend to all who suffer
sight for those lost in blindness
even if they burn with hatred
my only action will be kindness

I am a student of great truths
will walk with love arm in arm
helping any who welcome her
to all others I will do no harm

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose…

• "If the politicians had just gotten out of the way and let the military do its job, we would have won that war!"  That's what I grew up hearing people say about the Viet Nam war.


• "If the politicians would get out of the way and let the military do its job, we would have won this war by now!"  That's what Republican critics of Franklin Roosevelt said in 1943. (from Alben Barkley's autobiography, That reminds me…)


• "If the politicians would get out of the way and let the military do its job, we would have won this war by now!"   That's what critics of the Roman Senate said about the handling of the Second Punic War, 216 B.C. (Livy, The War with Hannibal)

Don't Sweat

Sherman's Lagoon is on the web HERE.

It's Okay

One Big Happy is on the web HERE.

Long Time Passing

From the essay “North American Butterflies: Are Once-Common Species in Trouble?” by Scott Hoffman Black in the current issue of Wings, the official publication of The Xerces Society:

I grew up during the heyday of the American muscle car and have teenage memories of rocketing down Nebraska country roads in my 1971 Mustang Mach 1. Back then even a short drive resulted in hundreds of dead bugs splattered across the grille, so I was always washing my car to keep it clean and shiny. When I returned to the Midwest last year with my wife and two kids-- now driving the a much more sensible and fuel-efficient rental car-- I was struck by the paucity of bugs. These days you can drive the entire four hundred miles across the broad state of Nebraska and your car will be practically spotless when you get to the other side.

I live in East Texas, but the metric still applies: there are a lot fewer bug splatters than there were thirty years ago.

Can you help me?

[embed]https://youtu.be/DWLHSRnVqug[/embed]

This is quite different than the original (YouTube Link).  Her interpretation casts the song in whole new light.

Full lyrics HERE.

Man, God, Cats

I know the Hindu hierarchy puts man at the top, but I’ve never really bought into that. I think it’s sort of a species-based narcissism, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to find more enlightened beings than myself inhabiting animal bodies just for the fun of it or to take a break:

God: Oh, man, you were so close to achieving moksha this time when you got hit by that truck! Are you ready to incarnate and try again?

Man: I don’t know, Lord. I’m really tired. Would it be okay if I just slept in the sun the next time out, and maybe have a waiter bring me some snacks from time to time?

God: Of course! Enjoy your time as a cat!

This'll probably lift your spirits:

[embed]https://youtu.be/kfZXTNoAL7g[/embed]

Full lyrics HERE.

The Soundtrack to a Bad Day

[embed]https://youtu.be/O4irXQhgMqg[/embed]

Full lyrics HERE.

The backstory- it was inspired (believe it or not) by James Joyce's Ulysses- is on Wikipedia HERE.