Random Thoughts: October 2012

It is funny to me that whenever I see a political debate I always am reminded of the movie ''Being There'' with Peter Sellers. Perhaps, you remember the movie from 1979. It is the story of a mentally slow man, who has been sheltered all of his life . At middle-age, his benefactor dies, and, he is forced to be thrown out of his house that he has never been out of, for the first time. He tended his garden at the house and watched TV all day. That was his life. He is a simpleton, sweet-hearted and honest to the core. When he is thrown out into the cruel, cold world, he, through a series of accidents, becomes an important man. He becomes an intimate advisor to the President and many powerful people. The film is a wonderful comedy, a classic. See it. It is the film ''Forrest Gump'' ripped off, by the way. And, it is a dead-on satire of the media and the insane ways we pick our leaders and how their simple words are mistaken for great wisdom. One of the conclusions of the movie is a scene where he is seriously discussed as a Presidential nominee. A simpleton who is picked by powerful people to run the United States. Sound familiar to anyone???...... I guess I have decided who I am going to vote for. And, like millions of people out there I am disgusted that I have to pick one of these candidates. The lesser of two evils. Ever since I started to vote years ago I am always faced with this choice at the ballot booth. Whether it is local or national I always pray a little bit before I cast my ballot. My prayer? That this person will not turn out to live up to my worst fears. That , finally, we have someone who will make a difference. I do not expect honesty and integrity--- after all this is politics, which is the cesspool of all cesspools of corruption. But, my optimism sometimes shines through and I hope this person can be another Lincoln, FDR, or, Bobby Kennedy. Someone big who cares about the little people. We have had them and they have made a difference. Then, in many cases, we have killed them because they are different and do not follow the slime-trail of all the rest of them. I understand completely the mindset of people who do not vote. The frustration and apathy. The are tired of being shafted and corrupted. They realize very little can be done by the powerbrokers towards them. They sit out the race. I respect their passion and their stand. However, I always take the view that if you do not vote [ and, some don't because they are too lazy, or, do not want jury duty ] then you have no right to comment on the world and how it is run. You did not try to change for the better. Fine, it is your right. Just shut up for the next four years then. That is your penance. Mine will be trying to justify to myself why I voted for the person I did. I have two choices in Obama and Romney. I have decided I am picking one of them. But, it is a vote I will not be able to defend or feel proud of..... We must always remember to thank comedian Gilbert Gottfried for the ''Too Soon?'' words that are now part of the vernacular. The genesis of this phrase can be traced to a Friars Club Roast for Hugh Hefner. It is a few weeks after 9/11, and the emotions are still very raw. We did not feel like laughing too much, especially at dicey humor. We were all trying to get along with each other in a more loving way [ we all knew that wouldn't last ]. So, Gottfried get up there and brought the world of comedy to a pre- 9/11 state. The joke I do not remember correctly. To paraphrase, it concerned his inability to find a plane that would take him non-stop anywhere. Except for New York, where it would make two unscheduled stops in buildings. I believe that was the crux of his set-up. Immediately, cries went up in the audience-- remember these were fellow comedians--- who screamed, ''NO!''', ''STOP!'', and, our new phrase, ''TOO SOON!!''' This little response, from an unknown audience member, became an instant saying among the people. Now, if someone told a joke or comment that was too close to a death or tragedy, then the term ''Too Soon'' would be the response of some people. Those of you who know me know I occasionally cross over into naughty humor. Some see it as inappropriate, and, some see the point. The point is, while it may be too extreme to hear some dark humor, it also can be seen as a release. You are laughing at death. And, as we all know, death has the last laugh on us. I always heard an explanation about sick humor that can be traced to Woody Allen. The saying is, '' Tragedy + Time = Humor''. The fun part really is pissing off people who are offended!!! That is even better than getting a laugh!!! I will just say I have never bought that bit of behavior that you cannot make fun of a dead person, especially if I did not like them. If I did not like them alive, then, it is hypocritical for me to suddenly feel warm about them since they are dead. Cruel? Maybe, but, I am being true to my feelings towards that person.... Fall is my favorite time of the year. The heat of summer is gone and a nice, cool temperature will be the norm for a few months. The colors are pretty, and, there is the wonderful aroma of fires being enjoyed. Football goes full-throttle and even the most casual sports person will be swept up in the frenzy of another Bears season. We all know that another brutal winter is on the horizon, with shoveling and bitter cold. Ugh!!! That is why fall is so special to me. We had the white-hot heat of a summer, when things race by in a fast clip. And, winter is over our shoulder, when things crawl to a snails pace. But, fall is a calm period. To take stock and enjoy life. There is a warm and pleasurable feeling of a sweatshirt or pullover around you. You hunt for pumpkins and you rake the leaves and you greet the trick-or-treaters. You buy the turkey for Thanksgiving in a few weeks and you fret that Christmas will be here soon and you are still paying off the bills from last Christmas. Yes, there is a calmness to fall. A time to take a breath and enjoy being alive.... Unless you are Donna Summer. Then you will always be cold and stiff..... Too Soon?????