Republican? Democrat? NO - I'm an AMERICAN!

Last night, Prez O gave us his State of the Union address. As with all of these addresses, there is a near-constant barrage of unwarranted and unnecessary applause, followed by some people standing and others starting to before saying "to hell with it". It always reminds me of a group of uncoordinated people at a sporting event trying to do The Wave, but failing miserably. I'm pretty confident that if you took all that posturing out, we could get through a State of the Union in about 18 minutes, and still have time to catch the 2nd half of Law & Order SVU. I think they should have a Law & Order SUV, where Elliot and Liv are busting people for texting while driving their Nissan Muranos, but maybe that's just me. Anyway, back to politics. American politics no longer exist. No, you read that correctly. American politics no longer exist. They have been replaced by Republican politics, Democratic politics, Corporate politics and all of them are about as filthy and un-American as any of us ever imagined they could be. Bring back Boss Tweed! (for you younger viewers who think that's a cartoon character, just Google it up like you do everything else). I'm not going to take sides in the debacle that is our existing political system, but I will say it's fallen, and it can't get up. I'm 58 years old, and have never been EMBARRASSED to be an American before, but I've just about reached that point. Whether you like Prez O or not, he hit one thing on the head last night. Every day has become election day in Washington. Alert the Media! Disrespect the other guy's opinion, whether what you're saying is true or not! And for Heaven's sake don't worry about We The People! You've formed your own perfect union, excluding everything and everybody outside the Beltway of D.C. It's absolutely pathetic to see nothing moving forward. Right now, when America needs its Representatives the most, they have become the House Of Horrors and the SayNot Senate. Here's a thought. Why don't we all go to the polls in November, and kick all of them out? EVERY LAST ONE that's up for re-election, regardless of party or affiliation. You're probably thinking, "We can't do that, because that would leave us with a bunch of new people who don't know what they're doing." Possibly true. But which is worse? Someone with high ideals and a creative mind but no experience, or someone who knows exactly what they're doing, and refuses to do it anyway!? Inaction is not a position. Inaction is not politics. Inaction is a desecration of the values and goals the Founding Fathers of the United States set forth for all future generations. Having new people in office literally cannot be worse than re-electing the same jaded cronies, who glad-hand each other over cigars in the back room while America suffers. Here's what these pseudo-Representatives fail to see. Right now, when their kids study History in school, they read about Jefferson. Washington. Lincoln. Governor Robert Moran Jr. and Frances Perkins (Who the heck are those last 2?). My point exactly. Sometimes in our history it's about being the Leader of the free world. Other times, it's about being leaders of free will. It's about being a part of something greater than you and your back-room cigar. It's about the American people and BEING an American yourself. While you might not recognize the names Robert Moran Jr. and Frances Perkins, they helped draft and enact the Social Security Act of 1935. At the time, it was a huge controversy, just like health care is today. Some historians even claim it created a year-long "Roosevelt Recession" in 1937-38. But you know what? Time has answered all critics. Time has proven that the people who crossed party lines to do the right thing were rewarded. Maybe not in fame. Maybe not in extra dollars in their pocket, or bigger and fatter cigars. But they were rewarded by having a thankful American public, then and forever moving forward. We as a culture value older people, and this law made sure they each will have a foundation to live on, after they retire from the workforce. The wrangling and finger-pointing and mock-and-block that is Washington D.C. today is a far cry from the brave people who stepped up in previous generations. Many in the House and Senate are from my generation now. The 60's generation. I'm embarrassed. "C'mon people now, smile on your Brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now." Sort of rings hollow now, doesn't it? Power corrupts. Money corrupts even more if that's possible. So what do you say? Can't we throw 'em all out in November? If it were possible, I'd like to throw 'em all out this week. Start fresh on Monday. IT COULDN'T BE ANY WORSE. Lucky for them I've got neither power nor money, or I'd flash it like Thor's hammer to knock some sense into these Tales-From-The-Crypt-looking windbags.

Afghan Super Bowl?

Afghanistan's national game is called Buzkashi. Afghans are attempting a marketing transformation of their "sport", inspired by pro football's and basketball's growth in the United States, according to a USA Today article. The main hindrance to their marketing strategy is the game itself - buzkashi is often little more than violent anarchy. Here's how it goes down:

A team of 12 men on horseback tries to carry a goat carcass the length of a field, around a goal and back, through an opposing team defense. The "defense" basically includes almost any tactic short of murder. Spectators are often trampled by riders disregarding boundaries, and horses have dropped dead on the field from abuse or fatigue. The head of the Buzkashi Federation said he aims to present the game for consideration to the International Olympic Committee. Wait a minute. Doesn't this game sound familiar? I'm pretty sure Manchester United is the current champion....

Recently, lawyers for the world-famous Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City threatened litigation against Lincoln County, Mississippi. Seems the Town Council in Lincoln County had changed the name of their Multi-Purpose Facility to "Lincoln Center" and the New York attorneys would have none of it! Court affidavits say they feared "confusion on the part of the general public" between the 2 facilities. The Mult-Purpose venue, located in the town of Brookhaven (population 9,800), is used mostly for livestock shows and family reunions.

Dang - I coulda sworn that theater marquis said famed musician Yo Yo Ma, but all we done got was Yo Mama!