Life interrupted by random thought

Sledding at the East Pole.

Just some things that came up in the past few days:

Serious one first. Seems a fellow in Texas crossed a small town and then proceeded to rape a 77-year old woman. Now, think of those erectile dysfunction ads that say “Check with your doctor first before any sexual activity.” The guy died in the process, 52 years old, just rolled over, had a heart attack and died. Can you imagine the 911 call? I know it is a bit of bad taste about what was really a despicable crime, but, come on.

OK moving on. Bull coffee. Yesterday because of a medical need to fast, I was allowed only clear liquids and realized at one point during the day that I was actually drinking bull coffee, which was largely the invention of my own imagination. Not only that, I told the story to a couple of people and they actually knew what I was talking about. One of the lines I use often with people is to tell them to pay attention because the quizzes are going to be tough. These two passed one of those quizzes.

The reference? In a story I wrote several years ago an old man was attempting to discourage a young boy from drinking coffee. As an alternative he offered “something a little too strong for an old man, but something a strong young one could probably handle.” Then he made a cup of bullion and gave the kid his first cup of bull coffee. It figured later in the story. One of the people who knew what it was asked, “You actually drink that?”

And, on the political front: Over the past few months it has been quite entertaining to watch extreme Republicans shoot themselves in the foot, though succeeding to some extent in getting their programs in place. The attacks on unions, teachers, police and firefighters among others; one governor calling his constituents employees and another selling off schools to private industry; while another takes a state helicopter to watch his son’s Little League game; all while in Congress they try to kill Medicare. This all in an atmosphere of crippling the bulk of the population while passing the savings on to the rich. I have a term for it but it is clumsy, If there is anti-matter, anti-Christ, why can’t there be an anti-Robin Hood, steal from the poor to give to the rich. These people are trying to get rid of every advance the country has made since the days of Franklin Roosevelt. Now they are lining up to run for president giving the rest of us one good laugh after another. Still they are worrisome. I brought up the idea that they will get buried in the election next year but a friend hesitated and pointed out the amount of press they receive, the publicity. I said they are just loud and draw the most attention and there are a lot of people who aren’t saying much who will have an effect, but I am not convinced that’s true.

Then I thought of this: In the month of May, Jon Stewart’s Daily Show ratings were higher than all of Fox News.