GOODBYE TO 2011

Notes of Concern…

                               …Jackson Blair

GOODBYE 2011

Since I began writing this column some of you have asked me for updates. You found some things of interest and wondered if I might revisit those topics.

If you recall my humorous column about visiting Thailand you will remember that there was unrest in Bangkok, my taxi had to be searched for bombs before I could enter the hotel complex, and the heat was horrendous.

More recently the unrest seems to have given way to horrible flooding with waters coming right into the city. I have a friend who has since moved to Thailand and it has been sad to read some of his comments. The heat remains horrendous.

This summer I ran a column about finding a kitten in a barn on Prince Edward Island. It ran with pictures. We actually had offers for all three kittens that were found in a barn wall. I am pleased to report the one I rescued is now living happily with some of our friends on the island. My marriage improved significantly when I gave away the cat!

I wrote a column about a pre-op visit I made to a hospital in the area. You may recall their refusal to call me “Jack” and insistence that I be called “Charles”. Well, I had occasion for another pre-op visit and I am pleased to report that the entire procedure was much more professional and they did, without much prompting, allow me to be called by my name! There was only one confusing situation in the most recent visit. It related to the rather touchy subject of a urine sample. When I found myself in a small bathroom with instructions written on a wall I was dumbfounded that they wanted me to “pee in midstream.”  Where do you suppose they thought I would find a stream in which to pee? Not to mention the legal difficulties that could ensue if I were to drop trousers and comply in public like that. And why, after finding a stream, couldn’t I just pee from the bank. Insisting I walk out into the stream was pushing the envelope a bit. I sure hope they revise those directions before I need to visit again. This “return to nature movement” is getting a little out of hand.

Over the weeks I had some fun teasing my colleague columnist Jerry Carton, he of the extreme liberal persuasion. I should point out in this last column of 2011 that I am continually amazed at his wealth of knowledge and his command of detail. Of course, I continue to think he misuses all that knowledge and misinterprets all the detail, but what the heck-he is a very nice fellow.

Unfortunately, Jerry is from Maryland and I am from Pennsylvania. We now both live in Massachusetts. I have been able to transfer some loyalty from the Steelers to the Patriots. My friend, Jerry, however is still glued to the Maryland pigskin novices.

In my column on “Fat Cats” a number of you agreed with my cat Toby in his thinking Wall Street honchos should be called “Fat Dogs.” In fact, a Fan Club of sorts has been forming for Toby. In light of his newfound fame my wife has agreed to let him off his diet for the holiday season. He now greatly resembles the famous Cheshire cat.

I have not been very successful in being subtle about my disappointment in the administration of Barack Obama. So I have decided in this last column of the year preceding the actual presidential election to say some nice things about the fellow. I do this in the certain knowledge that my subtlety will be even less obvious in 2012 (keep in mind that Jerry Carton will be keeping me honest).

So hear goes: the President is a very fine golfer and works quite hard (and often) at his game. He must be a great “date” because he and Michelle go to NYC often to see plays and dine out. And aren’t his two little girls cute?

That is about all I can muster. I hope Obama fans will find this a generous effort on my part.

I do have some resolutions for 2012:

1.   Try to be nice to people who haven’t a clue about government or politics.

2.   Make bets on Massachusetts’s sport teams.

3.   Do not rescue any more cats.

4.   Avoid pre-op visits until a hidden and secure stream is found in proximity to the hospital and keep an eye out for the morality police.

5.   Be nicer to my wife so she does not put me on Toby’s diet

On this New Year’s Eve I will toast all my readers with the hope you enjoy a healthy and prosperous 2012. Many thanks for reading what I write and occasionally sharing with me your own views. I look forward to the comments.

Jack Blair

jacksonblair@gmail.com

MY LETTER TO SAINT NICK

My Letter to St. Nick

Dear Santa:

I hate to start out with a complaint but your refusal to acknowledge my letter last year asking for a number of things that could improve the lives of my fellow citizens and myself really put me in a funk for an entire twelve months.

Now that unhappy year has passed and I feel confident you will acknowledge this year’s letter with its reasonable requests. Moreover, I feel certain you will be sliding down my chimney with a bag full of what I have asked.

This Christmas I am hoping you will bring me:

1.   Really experienced candidates for the presidency.

2.   A great turnout in the primary states and in the subsequent general election.

3.   Good debates where all the important issues get discussed and in which there are no “cheap shots” or “throw-aways” or outright untruths.

4.   An end to wars, hostile actions, nation building, self serving decisions in international relations, and the abandonment of former friends and supporters around the world.

5.   An improvement in the housing picture for all Americans.

6.   A huge increase in the employment numbers and a subsequent decrease in unemployment.

7.   A return to a simpler time where neighbors helped one another and the downtrodden at home and abroad.

8.   Greater confidence in government as a result of greater participation in the electoral process by all citizens.

9.   A new sense of teamwork in Washington and willingness to compromise in the interests of all people.

So you see Santa, my list is not overly long nor does it contain things that would benefit only me.

Please hitch Rudolph up to your sleigh.

In the interest of fair play, I am sending you a new team of reindeer.

It is always good to have choices.

Just whistle and shout, and call them by name.

Now! Obama, now! Romney, now! Gingrich and Paul,

On! Santorum, on! Perry, on! Bachman and Huntsman;

To the top of the polls! To the top of the Convention!

Now dash ahead! Dash ahead! Dash ahead all!

It is my hope Santa that one of your team will be adequate to bring me the small requests I have made.

Yours sincerely,

Jackie Blair

P.S.

In addition to the usual cookies and milk, I am mixing you a strong martini with bleu cheese stuffed olive. With the new team of reindeer I have sent you, it will be necessary that you be fortified for the ride.

SILLINESS: The Governors Romney

Notes of Concern…

                               …Jackson Blair

SILLINESS

Before Mitt Romney there was George Romney.

George Romney, a successful CEO of a major American automobile company, entered American politics and rose to become Governor of Michigan. Governor Romney had a beautiful wife, gregarious children and was a prominent Mormon. He was a handsome, articulate and successful man. He also was a candidate for the GOP nomination for President in 1964 and in 1968.

After George Romney there was Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney, a successful CEO of a financial company, entered American politics and rose to become Governor of Massachusetts. Governor Romney has a beautiful wife, gregarious children and is a prominent Mormon. He is a handsome, articulate and successful man. He is also a candidate for the GOP nomination for President in 2012.

During George Romney’s campaign for the GOP nomination he agreed to do a television interview in Detroit. In the course of that interview he was asked about the major issue of his day, the Vietnam War. Governor Romney responded that he had gone to Vietnam and while he was there he “had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get when they go over to Vietnam.”

Presidential historian Teddy White wrote that Governor George Romney saw that as simply a “throw away” comment. He did not think of it as a seismic event in his campaign for president.

His Republican opponents picked up this simple “throw away” comment, as did the national press, and they clubbed him with it. The comment brought an end to his viability as a candidate and essentially collapsed his carefully orchestrated, long-planned, and well-staffed campaign. It deprived Americans of a tested and qualified candidate for the presidency.

Governor Mitt Romney has planned carefully for his well-orchestrated presidential campaign. He put together an outstanding campaign staff. His staff has built an admirable strategy and Governor Romney has sailed through this debate season, often above the fray, and for many months seemed the likely nominee of the GOP.

In his most recent debate outing Governor Romney got “off message” when confronted by an inaccurate statement about his stance on an issue. The total inaccuracy of a comment made by rival Governor Rick Perry of Texas brought about a “throw away” challenge from Governor Romney. He did something many of us have done. He said “want to bet!” He embellished that a bit by asking if Perry wanted to bet $10,000.

His Republican opponents picked up this simple “throw away” comment, as did the national press, and they clubbed him with it. The comment could bring an end to his viability as a candidate and essentially collapse his carefully orchestrated, long-planned, and well-staffed campaign. It could deprive Americans of a tested and qualified candidate for the presidency.

Fifty years have passed since Governor George Romney made a casual comment that brought an entire presidential campaign crashing down around him.

His son, undoubtedly aware of his father’s misstep and surely determined not to make a similar mistake, fell victim to our national silliness about campaigns.

Why would voters permit something so insignificant to overshadow a lifetime of good work, a dedication to public service, millions of newspaper columns dealing with the serious and sensitive issues of the day?

We show ourselves to be shallow.

We encourage politicians and press to go for the “news byte” approach to educating us. We prefer to be entertained rather than educated. And perhaps worst of all is the glee many enjoy at the slightest slip or embarrassment of any candidate who is not our own favorite.

I hope before this political season ends we will see that the silliness that brought down a credible and talented candidate for president almost 50 years ago is no longer the way we Americans select someone to lead our country.

Selecting a president is a serious event with enormous consequences.

Surely, in 2011, we can see that this is so.

For further information:  jacksonblair@gmail.com