I thought you should know...

... that I have to take this blog offline for a while.

Learning To Let Things Slide

1. Remember when "they" promised there was no such thing as a slippery slope? Yeah, they were lying. Regardless, I am resolving, albeit slowly, to let things slide.   

2. While using Facebook, I have contended with the nearly constant temptation to challenge every socio-political inanity posted there. However, I am, albeit slowly, resolving to let things slide.

3. While listening to Mr. Barack Obama speak (if one can call what I do "listening" and what he does "speaking"), I have contended with the impulse to smash sundry household items. However, I am resolving, albeit slowly, to let things slide.

4. When I read various columnists in The New York Times, the temptation to cry at the undeniable degradation of the American intellect waves over me. However, I am resolving, albeit slowly, to let things slide.

5. When I watch so-called "smart people" like Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Jon Stewart or Al Gore, I am left stunned, not just at their conceit, but at their obtund minds, as they cannot perceive the irony: if you are going to boast about your superior skills at spelling while mocking those who allegedly misspell every word, you better be the best orthographer in the room. However, I am resolving, albeit slowly, to let things slide.

The fact is that just because I've always known there is a moral slippery slope and that the human mind often boasts to itself about its allegedly un-benighted performance, it does not follow that I must slide down that slope, or darken my own mind, in order to be a member of the set of really cool people. Conceit IS blindness.  

In short, I am resolving to let everything slide but my own mind and my own convictions. It is easy to drive oneself to insanity with others' inanities, but how does that help anyone? 

I once heard a woman on NPR relate what her yoga instructor told her; the instructor was confronting the woman about comparing herself to other women in the class. The instructor said, "Husband your gaze." 

In this age, that's sage advice. 

"Keep your eye on the prize."  

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On The Nature Of Debates: A Satirical Look

What IS a debate? Aren't debates generally between people who have disagreements of note?

Here's my partly facetious take on the recent Republican debates; my thoughts apply to ANY debate held between candidates vying for either Republican or Democratic nominations.

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MODERATOR: Who here believes in A?

MICHELLE BACHMANN: I believe in A, but my opponents only believe in A.

RICK PERRY: With all due respect, Ms. Bachmann, I do not believe in A. I never have. Instead, I believe in A. In fact, I believe A is good for America.

MITT ROMNEY: I opposed A in Massachusetts, and then I passed it without reservation. Right now, today, Americans around this country are looking for someone new who will finally stand up to Washington. These same Americans are looking for someone to tell them something different and not the same old "inside the beltway" blather about A. That is why I have assembled a team and have proposed a detailed plan to promote A. I call my team the A-Team.

RON PAUL: I support A fully, but I have a way of explaining A that will, of course, lead you to believe that I do not support A at all. It begins with the gold standard and --

MODERATOR: Let's move on to the next question, shall we?

HERMAN CAIN: With all due respect to my colleague from Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Michigan/Utah, your team is not the "A-Team." I know the A-Team, and your team is no A-Team. Your team is the ATM Team. And that is why I, as president, will refuse to support A or any A-Team. I will assemble in the Oval Office a B-Team that will promote my 999 plan.

MITT ROMNEY: Which is a fine plan as long as you don't look at the 999 plan while standing on your head.

MODERATOR: That's out of order, Mr. Cain and Mr. Romney --

HERMAN CAIN: I apologize, but what's NOT out of order is Mr. Romney's ATM Team, as Mr. Romney's ATM is always open. My B-Team, however --

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Amusingly, 

©2011/Bill Gnade. All Rights Reserved. 

Visiting My Own House

I stopped in at Contratimes today almost out of nostalgia. I haven't been thoughtfully active here in so long, this blog no longer feels like it's mine. Perhaps it isn't; perhaps I shall find it to be the work of some alter ego. But I doubt it. 

Somewhat without meaning to, I read through my old essay regarding NPR's firing of Juan Williams, and I must say it is really quite good. Did I really write that? Hmm. 

Blessings!