A Cornucopia of Current Thoughts.......

We offer these thoughts in no particular order of importance. If we did, our first item would very probably be at the end, not at the beginning.

An hour ago it was revealed that Larry Birkhead is, in fact, the biological father of the late Anna Nicole Smith's daugher, Dannielyn. Now that this momentous announcement has been delivered we can all breathe a sigh of relief. But what is it that we are relieved about? Aside from Ms. Smith's immediate family, friends, and enemies, do any of the rest of us really give a damn? We think not........... And, perhaps now this story can be put to rest (along with Ms. Smth). And for those who actually do think this story is important we can only suggest, get a life!

In a story only marginally more significant we now learn that radio talk-show host Don Imus will absent the airwaves for two weeks of network imposed "suspension". Imus, whose show ranks only 14th in the panopoly of airborne talking heads, has been accused (and essentially convicted) of being a racist due to remarks he made about Rutgers University's female basketball team. Apparently, he called them "nappy headed hos". Needless to say, they took umbrage. More importantly, so did the Reverend Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, his Rainbow Coalition, and millions of other African-Americans, white Americans, and heaven knows who else. What is ironic, however, is that Imus's insensitive remarks probably were not intended as racist. And, although not disposed to prurience, it is clear that Don Imus did not set out, the other day, to ignite a nation-wide firestorm. It is difficult (if not downright impossible), in these trying times, for anyone--even a high profile talk show host--to be constantly politically correct.And Imus is surely not the exception. But the greatest likelihood is not that he is guilty of racism (at least not in the red neck tradition of the KKK, and certainly not in the ever more subtle ways in which the phenomenon is manifested today). Indeed, what he is guilty of is a momentary lapse of good judgment. And for that it is likely that he will be villified for many months (perhaps years) to come.

But, this story does remind us that racism, in many forms and manifestations, remains alive and well in America. And until we become truly color blind; until we appreciate our fellow beings as people with more similarities than differences, the spectre of racism (even if only imagined) will continue to raise its ugly head.

Thanks to the loyalty, and friendship, of George W. Bush, Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales remains employed. We think it only a matter of time, however, until Alberto finds himself back in Texas, seeking work with a private law firm. While the president continues to support his AG, Democrats, and more than a handful of Republicans, are calling for Gonzales' scalp. And, as one who understands Vegas odds, we would project a 60-1 chance that Bush will be selecting a new Attorney General before the country celebrates its next birthday.

Presidential politics are more omnipresent now than ever before. And the number of announced candidates is mind boggling. From Hillary Clinton, to Barack Obama, to half a dozen other Democrats, and at least as many Republicans, it seems that almost anyone with a political name has jumped in to the fray. Indeed, if it is true that anyone who wants to be president of the United States is probably crazy, the number of aspirants for '08 give credence to the notion. But,some experts seem to think the whole thing will be over on Super Tuesday. We disagree. We believe (because Super Tuesday may prove only how confused this whole process is) that the decisions as to who will represent the two parties will not be finalized (or even fully considered) until the party conventions. And when the banners finally come down, and when the dust of uncertainty finally settles, we project that Al Gore will answer his party's call and will emerge at the top of its ticket. As for his running mate? We'll go out on a limb and forecast that Barack Obama will see the light and will agree to be number two.

The Republican magilla is more difficult to prognosticate, but given its bent to the religious right, its insistence on all things "all American", and its periodic predilection for election year suicide, we see Mitt Romney emerging from the ashes of a convention debacle as his party's standard bearer. His running mate? By the time he solidifies number one, number two won't matter. But, just for the hell of it, we'll figure on someone like Sam Brownback.

Politics produce strange bedfellows. And 2008 may produce the strangest of all. But on this we can rely. Democrats will return to the White House in January, '09. And Republicans will have no problem finding their scapegoat. As he was their hero in 2000, and again in 2004, George Bush will be their goat in 2008. Truth is, rather than building his own library in Crawford, he might be better advised to just rent a room in his father's edifice.

A terrific journalist, whose name we (regrettably) cannot recall, signed off with the reminder, "and so it goes". And so it does............

Garrett500
4/10/07