Welcome to the Tuesday edition of The Mark Steyn Show, with some riotous commentary on the passing scene, plus Rise of the Woke Women, social-justice accountancy, express de-plinthing, the unmanned sports, the death of an empress, and "the most stupid song ever written".
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81 Member Comments
Thank you for Stacey Kent clip. I hadn't thought of her for years but I still recall one critic's perfect description of her that "you can hear the smile in her voice."
Mark replies:
Indeed, Warren. The smile in the voice is just lovely.
We don't have education in this country, we have indoctrination centers. Math, history, science, and everything else is taught under a political agenda. They could care less if your child knows how to add or how the constitution works. All they are expected to do is to echo the liberal narrative and obey their commands whatever they may be at the moment as a sign you're compliant. Why else the push back for opening schools? They don't need them in school to get them to be what they desire: A new generation of activists that hate America.
This is so true! I'm hoping this teach at home covid moment will wake parents up to the garbage their kids are being indoctrinated with. If Hitler proved anything it's that propaganda works. His propaganda machine managed to convince almost an entire population to be hateful and suicidal. The same thing happened in Rwanda before the genocide. The radio stations were blasting 24/7 hate the Tutsis and murder them propaganda. It's astounding that in the US the propaganda comes from the public schools as well as the main stream media. God help us!
The legendary Tommy Tedesco plays the guitar on "Suicide Is Painless". He was a member of The Wrecking Crew and played on thousands of records during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, including Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night".
Was checking to see the weather radar on TV and they have a ticker from BBC with it and it flashed this message:
Coronavirus: 'The masks you throw away could end up killing a whale'
So not only did China deliver us the Wu Flu, they're making us pollute the ocean? Question will be: Will they categorize whale deaths as being from COVID or from the masks? Maybe both?
With 'Suicide is painless' the creators might have wanted to write the silliest song ever but they failed miserably, as I think anyone who has ever pondered suicide would know. The mind does not often work rationally when circumstances all seem against you, so an irrational song makes perfect sense. Anyway, lines like "The sword of time will pierce our skins, It doesn't hurt when it begins" are as good as anything most of us will ever write.
Once again, Mark, a US-Grade-1 quality show.
RE: Suicide Is Painless One reason it has endured is because it is a top-notch melody [forget the bloody words]. Johnny Mandel could had an ear for the right melody...and his arrangements on Sinatra's Ring-A-Ding-Ding are wonderful.
Hi Mark, can you explain where the term "woke" originated?
My "whiteness" little misses came from the DNA of the English, German and Scandinavian ancestors populating my past....
Hi Mark,
I agree with you that ice dancing is definitely more butch than the NFL these days. I've met a few world class ice dancers and they are definitely "skill players", in NFL parlance.
Great show!
In the state of Victoria, Daniel Andrews (premier) has gone full Wuhan - for 6 weeks - on Melbourne, in the wake of his policy of (failed) hotel quarantine of overseas arrivals, including widespread "liaisons" between taxpayer-funded security guards and those under their watch in hotel detention. Perhaps not surprisingly, many contacts in the community - having already endured the most prolonged lockdown in the country - have declined to be tested. Chairman Dan makes Andrew Cuomo look moderate, and will no doubt manage to convince everyone that his failure is a success, too.
PS. While Dr Fauci & Co discuss second waves and vaccines (but not HCQ), T-cell-mediated responses and cross-immunity are being covered by the (non-left) mainstream media. #WatchThisSpace
Kate have you noticed that as we get closer to the normal start of the school year, the mainstream media has started screeching about CHILD KILLERS. Funny that.
Kate: Any positive mention of HCQ was banned throughout the national media and has been to this day as soon as Trump touted studies showing it's effectiveness. How many have died as a result is unknown. The totally corrupt FDA immediately piled on with bogus claims of 'dangerous side effects' - anything to undermine President Trump. There has never been any luck developing effective vaccines for SARS viruses and there is no reason to expect those in development now will be any better. Many researchers are already backing off earlier claims of encouraging results in lab testing. The MSM has but one goal - destroy our economy for good and bring down our president. They are now all in with the teacher's unions to prevent the opening of schools in the fall. That this virus is far less deadly to kids than a typical seasonal flu will never will see the light of day for most Americans. Pravda never had it so good.
I know that the state of New York is about as corrupt as you can get, since the Emperor Nero is no longer with us, but how does somebody like Cuomo get elected? OK, he's a Democrat and, in NY, you can be caught barbecuing babies and kittens and still bring in the votes, as long as you have the D-shield, but why can't the NY Ds do better than Cuomo, de Blasio and Ocasio-Cortez? I actually rather liked New York, once upon a time. I can't see myself ever going back there.
It's at times like this when I get thinking of a Scott Adams cartoon, in which Dilbert and co are residents of an intergalactic petri dish. Somebody, surely, is playing with us - and, unlike Scott Adams, he (or she) has a very poor sense of humour.
PS: What's the thinking in Australia about what the new name should be for the state of Victoria?
May I suggest Woketoria?
It's moved on from TEACHER KILLERS?! Maybe the message should be "Teachers-are-Essential", along with a weekly Clap-for-Teachers. Or maybe, "Do your job... or find another". (Being paid not to work seems to be a big part of the problem.)
PS. Laura, remember back to the time when the Wuhan (Laboratory) Virus had only swept through hotspots in Italy and Iran, and most countries were completely blind to where or when outbreaks would occur, thanks to public health failures? When the ONLY reason for the unprecedented lockdowns by nations across the world was a belated attempt to "slow-the-spread" (where there often was none!) in the absence of testing: *15 DAYS* in order to prepare for hospital surges (and to acquire PPE) so the healthcare system would be able to continue to take all-comers?
And look where we are now, 4 months later! The paradoxical health disaster has been patients avoiding hospitals due to the early Boris Johnson-type messaging - ie. older people/ at-risk people everywhere should impose an indefinite lockdown on themselves - compounded by the "hospital-acquired infection" label used by many commentators that has frightened the public. And the news is as bad as expected, with worse to come when cancer outcomes are known: "Heart conditions drove spike in deaths beyond those attributed to covid-19, analysis shows" (Reis Thebault, WSJ - 2/7/20) - "The analysis suggests that in five hard-hit states and New York City there were 8,300 more deaths from heart problems than would have been typical in March, April and May — an increase of roughly 27 percent over historical averages."
Not to mention the social and economic impact of extending lockdowns - and school closures - for MONTHS beyond the advertised 2 weeks.
Very good. I'm also partial to calling it the PRV.
The Melbourne lockdown is ridiculous - not only because of the government negligence and incompetence that led to the rise in cases, but because the previous months-long Democrat-style lockdown across the state means that it should be more than prepared to cope with any increase in hospitalisations that might occur.
Australia foolishly adopted an unrealistic - and unnecessarily damaging - "eradication" approach (apparently in lockstep with NZ), instead of containment-and-control when needed, which was always going to come back to bite us. That it's been facilitated by a taxpayer-funded "bonkfest" involving nightclub bouncers doing border control - jobs for the boys! - is vintage Daniel Andrews. As is his attempt to disown responsibly.
And now it's spread beyond his little dictatorship, too.
In Britain, the two most bloody-minded sets of trade unionists are famously the teachers and the railwaymen, both of whom are quite happy to keep a de facto lockdown going sine die. The teaching unions have even been calling for schools to remain closed until a vaccine for the virus is available, which may, of course, never happen. We had a taxpayer-funded research unit for at least forty years, dedicated to finding a cure for the common cold - and guess how that worked out.
I always used to be puzzled that the left of the Labour Party here was both anti-car and very close to the car-makers' unions, until it dawned on me that the commies were defending the workers' right NOT to make cars and then it all made sense, in a Lewis Carroll sort of way. I think that's where we are with the teachers' unions and the transport system right now.
There is a suggestion that some teachers are exploiting the situation, to carve out lucrative work in private tuition, probably unknown to the taxman, but, given the generally dreadful state of our education system, I doubt if all that many teachers could get very far that way.
Owen,
I have the exact same thoughts about lib pols and can offer no explanation other than the insanity of an unexpectedly small portion of the population is enough to corrupt the world.
I'm amazed by the level of self-loathing among the Affluent White Female Urban Leftists (AWFULs). It seems indicative of abuse. Of course, if they were subjected to public education during the last 30 years, that would qualify as abuse right there.
Just started listening - I hate, loathe, the Karen term. The term seems to have come to prominence at the same time we're told about how sexist it is for little boys to call little girls bossy.
With you, Joseph. I have a thrave of cousins, nieces and grand nieces and adore two of them who happened to be named, Karen. Who wants to go through life when your name has a derogatory meaning?
This Harvard grad whining is so insightful into the mindset of the woke. She can be tough when others pay a price she has determined that they should pay, but if she doesn't get the exact job she wanted right away, she weeps and we are supposed to feel sorry for her. I feel sorry for all these children that are being mowed down and the 26 year old cop assassinated, these are things to mourn, but a lost accountancy job! What a privileged little girl she is.
Much in what is going around for me has roots in some distorted remnants of Christianity and the French Revolution. The whole idea that white people are evil because of their DNA seems like some new wacky interpretation of original sin with no redemption and the plan to reset society, well they tried that in the French Revolution and many bodies and governments later, they found some kind of stability. Do we really want to go through that?
It was a 2 week internship she lost. Her gofundme page hit its goal of $10,000 to make up for this injustice.
Bring back Mash
An then you mention Bill Evans , was listening to him today , ever sustaining
Life gets simple when it's all weird
Thanks Mark
You are right, Mark and I am sorry if my comment was misdirected. "Wrong place, wrong time" is so often used in top-of-the hour what passes for the news that I reacted reflexively. So often it seems to place blame unjustly on the victim, in this case a young child. That in the USA there should be such danger and that it is so common causes me alarm and grief as I am certain it does you and your audience.
This was another excellent show. Thank you for lightening my burden by assuring me I am not alone.
Lately two songs keep playing in my mind: "Prince of Darkness" by The Nylons and "Evil is Alive and Well" by Jakob Dylan.
Many thanks,
Left Coaster
I am a hard case but I get disgusted when I hear, "OH, an eight year old!" These shootings occur every weekend in big cities across the country. Literally thousands of rounds are flying around and every bullet has to wind up somewhere. It is inevitable that bystanders are going to get hit. You can't even say that these casualties are regrettable because the shootings are not a necessary part of life. It is a sign of incompetence for a mayor to get upset about a child being murdered. Hard work every day is required to get the rampant shooting under control, not 'this time I really mean it!'
Per _Mad_ magazine:
"_M*A*S*H_ lasted four times as long as the actual Korean war, but was only twice as monotonous."
A quick look at Rachel Dolezal's picture reminded me that not only did she appropriate a "Black" visage but Sideshow Bob's.
Really good observation. Gotta love the Simpsons come to life.
That's right! And Sideshow Bob is voiced by Kelsey Grammer, one of Hollywood's few self-proclaimed Republicans. How's that for irony?
Thanks Mark.
Great show, as always. Regarding Claira Janover who lost her job with Deloitte:
I was struck by the irony of her sobbing comment that she had "worked really hard" to get the job that she has now lost. I'm sure Claira believes that the careers and financial success of her proposed stabbing victims were strictly the result of white privilege. But not Claira's job. No sirree! She got it solely through hard work.
I actually wish Deloitte had handled it differently. Perhaps it would have been sufficient to counsel her to make sure that she did not intend to make good on her threat and that it was mere political hyperbole. But since corporate America has axed so many people for anodyne comments, I guess Deloitte felt they had to act when the comment at issue threatened actual violence, as opposed to speech or silence falsely equated to violence.
Keep up the great content.
John Bruce, are you mad?
Wish Deloitte had handled it differently? Had warned her? Her behavior, on tape, posted on the internet, is just insane. She didn't take any personal responsibility for her undignified,inappropriate (for a first year professional accountant) behavior, but doubled-down on her victimhood, "Oh! those awful conservatives ruining her life. She is not to blame!!!"
She may indeed have mental issues. The management at Deloitte are lighting candles in church in thanks for having a reason to get rid of what would have been a continuing disruption in whatever office they tried to hide her.
John, you must never have had the joy of dealing with an employee who you realize too late is truly crazy. Unfortunately this occurrence is happening more and more with young people in this environment.
Deloitte may have a zero tolerance policy for violent threats. Maybe the young woman should have done more research before making her statement.
In cancel culture anything you say, have said, tweeted, tok'd, or written that can be misinterpreted or taken out of context can be used against you.
Actually I think I am becoming a Maoist Communist. I want a cultural revolution like China had fifty years ago when intellectuals were sent to reeducation/forced labor camps. I have found shoveling 10 hour days leads to new understanding and enlightenment. I think Ivy League idiots like Claira Jenover would benefit from a shovel ready education.
On second thought maybe a "Privilege Surtax" added to the Income tax equal to an additional one percent for every year in college would be a better idea. The funds collected from the "Privilege Surtax" to be used to pay reparations.
"In cancel culture anything you say, have said, tweeted, tok'd, or written that can be misinterpreted or taken out of context can be used against you."
Or - more commonly - it might be correctly interpreted or taken in context and used against you. For example, having a conventional view of marriage. Or biological sex.
It's interesting to see mature-age left-wingers - from JK Rowling to Salman Rushdie - in solidarity against cancel culture. As Mark alluded to, the old way of doing things - the battle of ideas - is on the way out, along with "old people".
D,
I agree and want to join your new political party . Can I be the Director of Re-education in your new statelet? I presume you are planning to "Chop" off a few square blocks in the MInneapolis CBD as your initial territory? Fertile ground there, many, many who need forcible re-education apparently.
More seriously, I do understand what you are saying. Late last year as the Dems were winding up for their primaries, after ranting to a friend about how much major American corporations have and are selling the American middle class out on every front, supporting and profiting from the destruction of the American economy, culture and way of life, he commented that I sounded suspiciously like a Bernie Sanders supporter. I told him that Bernie and I probably did feel much the same with respect to most evil corporations and Wall Street, we just had vastly different ideas on how to solve the problem.
The patron saint of "it's gorn too far!" lefties is John Cleese.
His bunch set the fire and now he's getting burned.
Very grateful, as always, for your perspectives on the topics covered today, but please accept a special thank-you for highlighting the role of the (often uncredited) professional studio voices in the background of so much movie and television music, and particularly for the information about the Ron Hicklin singers. The four (all tenors?) who were 'The Mash' group (Hicklin, the Bahler brothers & Freebairn-Smith) blend beautifully in a great arrangement... an earworm I shall always enjoy.
Mark replies:
They did indeed blend beautifully, CBG - even on not especially beautiful material, like the Partridge Family songs or the "Happy Days" theme...
Suicide is Painless was a good choice. Sad listening to it contemplating what's going on in the USA right now. Cultural suicide, but not so painless.
If you haven't done Rule Britannia as a song of the week you might consider it. A song that once meant something, but is now a campy put up at the Proms every year. Again very sad. The Star Spangled Banner is getting there, reduced to second billing behind the Black National Anthem. The Star Spangled Banner would be a good song of the week also if you include a rendition of To Anacreon In Heaven.
Mark replies:
You'll find "Rule, Britannia!" as our Song of the Week here, John.
Exceptionally great show: many thanks. Especial thanks for the coverage of the snivelling lefty whose name I couldn't be bothered recall but whose proposed career as a social justice accountant deserves to be immortalised for its sheer comedy. I can't think what could have brightened my day more than her drizzling. Long may she have something about which to whimper. Amen. And thanks again.
Segnes,
I agree fully with you. But, I say this with a slightly guilty conscience, as this poor pampered girl (Harvard?) seems to me to likely have serious mental issues. To me she is like so many privileged young adults I meet today. The world has given her vastly more than so many, but it is not enough, not all that she deserves. Unknown actors, "conservatives," in her seemingly troubled mind, have taken what she so rightly earned.
She is on a path to a very an unhappy life. Hope she can get some treatment and some peace for it is too late for her.
Thanks, C. You're kinder than she deserves, but you're probably right.
Great example of a terrible song which would have disappeared without trace had it not been drummed into millions of ears for too many years. Your inclusion is a bit of an insult to the standard of your audience.
Every now and again, the French make a big noise about wanting Napoleon III back, as if we British are holding him hostage. I've never visited the abbey in Farnborough where Napoleon III, Eugénie and their son, Louis Napoleon, are buried, although it's not far from me and I think one can see it from the M3 motorway, which connects London and Southampton. There was a French minister, with the improbable name of Jack Lang, who turned up in Farnborough and imperiously proclaimed that he was there to reclaim Napoleon III pour la France. The monks politely, but emphatically, told him to sling his hook.
Not that long ago, a Macron minion played the same stunt, with the identical result. In each case, no-one on the French side seemed to understand why Napoleon and his family were buried in Hampshire in the first place. To be exiled in Britain was becoming rather traditional for French royalty, in fact, by the time of the Franco-Prussian War. Louis XVIII spent a large part of the Napoleonic Wars here, along with his brother, who succeeded him as Charles X. When Charles X was ousted, in the French revolution of 1830, he was permitted to live out his few remaining days in Clarence House, recently vacated by the former Duke of Clarence, by then King William IV. I've a vague idea that another Charles uses the place now (it's just down the way from Buck House). The benificiary of the departure of Charles X, his relative, Louis Philippe, also ended up in England after the next French revolution, in 1848.
The other distasteful aspect of the French demands for Napoleon III is that they pointedly do not want Eugénie, or Louis Napoleon. Eugénie was Spanish and, to xenophobic French sentiment, she was a second Marie-Antoinette. Louis Napoleon was even worse. He actually fought and died in British Army uniform, in the Zulu War of 1879, and you're not going to get the French repatriating somebody called "Napoleon" who fought for the British.
I think and fervently hope that the family will remain united in Farnborough forever.
Come to think of it, Farnborough Abbey is visible from the railway, not the road. There's Lockdown Fever for you.
Thanks, Owen - that was such an informative comment!
Thanks Mark.
Gary Berghof was the consistent character in MASH. I read the book (voracious reader as a schoolboy) then watched the tv series then the movie, and Radar was instantly recognizable from all. I was a big fan. The book was easier to read than Catch 22.
The opening four notes take me back to my early teens, but by the time the series was done, so was I with it.
A few years later I worked out that it (the TV series) was just more soft-pap lefty crap.
But I did enjoy the guest spots by Loudon Wainwright III, who I caught at Cambridge folk festival and whose albums I have. Another lefty but awesome songwriter.
Yes, it's a dire set of lyrics, but they work.
A Tale of Two Cities, as it were.
This reminds me of the very illuminating 45 minutes I once spent trying to track down the firm establishment of republican rule in France. After they revolution of 1789, France lurched between empire and republic for the better part of a century, before finally settling into the Troisième République in 1870. That got them to 1940 when, well, you know. The Fourth Republic lasted only from the end of the war to 1958, but things have settled down again in the Fifth (touch le bois). Of course, America had its Articles of Confederation years in the wilderness, but that was out an (over) abundance of caution to avoid anything resembling monarchy. As the late Lloyd Bentsen might have said, Napoleon Bonaparte was no George Washington.
For me, the outstanding film score by Johnny Mandel was Point Blank (1967).
That spare, haunting, chromatic trumpet melody over the opening credits beautifully sets the scene for the ghost story that follows. Unforgettable. And a great movie too by the way, a 10/10 for me.
Two shows I never watched were "Hogan's Hero's" and "Mash". Never saw the possible humor in the Stalag or a field hospital. Still don't. I had too many relatives telling me their stories in the 50s to want to watch this stuff with a laugh track.
Good point. Hollywood repeated minimizing the suffering and sacrifice of American soldiers for fun and profit leads a society where, exactly?
The Beeb of the 70s paid extra to have the canned laughter removed from MASH.
It made a big, positive difference.
Mark I love your music choices, former music appreciation instructor that I am. And I like that I can listen to your programs. I wish they all are on audio so I can carry on with cutting and sewing quilts, that I am trying to complete for grandchildren, that had been pushed aside before this shut in when I was happily memoir writing, taking dry brush water color lessons and volunteering at hospital and rest home with my piano programs. Your "Suicide is painless" segment reminded me of the years when Mash was popular on tv when my husband was a news anchor and where several of the "stars" made appearances. Nostalgia. You: keep on trucking, please
Mark replies:
Thank you, Pat. Keep quilting!
At last I know the backstory to the MASH theme. I guess I stupidly thought it was written in honor of Alan Alda's indestructibly stupid sanctimony. I stupidly couldn't seem to understand why standing up to communist aggression was somehow an utterly unworthy enterprise that was only for the benefit of military/industrial complex types. To think that once people thought opposing evil with force was a bad thing. How stupid and unenlightened can you be? This reveals perfectly the evil that America has been. To be woke now must permit evil all possible latitude. This will obviously make it all go away, or is that stupid?. BLM and Antifa ultimately mean well, don't they? The song should be dubbed over every video showing the police kneeling before the mob and elected officials granting them their desires. How stupid was it to think we should have laws and law enforcement. How could the stupidest song ever written have become so astonishingly prophetic as we seriously contemplate civilizational suicide. Have Mr. Alda and his high-minded fellow travelers had any second thoughts about this? Stupidly, it wouldn't seem so.
I enjoyed the historical references to July 7 events. On a personal note, on July 7, 1973 Simone and I were married. so are celebrating our 47th anniversary today. So much has changed - when we got married Richard Nixon was president, Edward Heath was prime minister of Britain, an actual Catholic was Pope (Paul VI).
In Canada in 1973 the prime minister was an arrogant twerp named Trudeau, a corrupt. deceitful narcissist who made no effort to hide his contempt and loathing for most Canadians, especially those in the West. Maybe things haven't changed so much after all.
Still, considering all the apocalyptic events we were warned about it is amazing we have survived and even thrived. We survived acid rain, holes in the ozone layer, global cooling, nuclear winter, global warming, mass starvation, the exhaustion of the world's coal, oil, and natural gas supplies, and (so far) the Wuhan virus. Couldn't have done it without Mark with his brilliant insights, wit, and humor. Also love the intelligent and perceptive comments from SteynClub members!
"... an actual Catholic was Pope."
Too funny.
I love you, Mark, but you just hit one of my pet peeves.
Wrong place, wrong time, how can this be? When is the right time, where is the right place to be murdered? Or raped or robbed or . . . I concede this point on occasion of standing near muddy puddles at roadside but never when it involves willful harm.
Mark replies:
Actually I didn't say "wrong place, wrong time". I said they were crossing the "wrong intersection" - because it's wrong at any time. I wouldn't be there and nor would you. Ever. And more and more parts of the American map are like that in these times, don't you find?
I agree with you about Hong Kong being a valuable window for China into the Western banking world and this is becoming less valuable, but in my opinion the crackdown is now based on the threat of rebellion spreading to other parts of China. Potential opposition to the Communist Party is not going to be allowed no matter the economic benefits of Hong Kong's business importance.
The British did not negotiate from a position of strength in turning over the Crown Colony to China. One Country,Two Systems was a matter of convenience for the Chinese to circumvent restrictions and tariffs and the 50 year time period was 5 times longer than forever. The Chinese text of the treaty probably read explicitly that agreement would last until the CCP decided it didn't. All agreements with the Communists are like that but our legal experts are naive to the extreme.
We really have no options to respond to China's taking over Hong Kong, certainly not militarily. The only recourse is to repeal all the trade and banking benefits given to Hong Kong. That will hurt the people of Hong Kong, San Francisco and Vancouver, B.C. but it is our only option and needs to be done immediately. The opposition will be fierce.
BTW: The story goes that Hemingway asked his good friend, F. Scott Fitzgerald how he went bankrupt. Scott answered, "At first gradually, then suddenly." Fun Fact: His full name was Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.
Brilliant post, W.: resounding cheer from the peanut gallery!
Mark cited that Hemingway line before, Walt, and it contained such truth, I had to chase it down. Apparently, it's Hemingway's alone, from The Sun Also Rises. The exchange goes:
"How did you go bankrupt?"
"Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly."
That certainly sounds like Fitzgerald, so maybe he actually said it. I wouldn't put its unattributed use past Papa.
Trump should propose a swap: Young Maoists rioting in the U.S in exchange for young anti-communists protesting in Hong Kong.
When I heard the expression "unconscious bias training", I thought sign me up. The only way to endure such misery is while unconscious. That is what Sir Keir meant, isn't it? Knock back a Lagavulin or four and pass out, to then be hectored while completely blotto by the white girls you played early in the show? If they don't mind a little drool trickling out of my mouth, I don't. I'll be in no condition to. I promise not to say a word, even if I won't exactly be listening.
Yes, "unconscious" training indeed. Having sat through many legally required "ethics" and professionalism" torture sessions over the past years I think I might just take your advice to drink up. Really no worse or impolite than what I and about 99% of other attendees usually do: read a newspaper or work on your laptop while the idiot at the podium drones on and on about nothing interesting or important.
"The only way to endure such misery is while unconscious."
Hilarious.
Oh, that was terrific! Especially the part about beer tasting like bat urine. If I thought I could make a million writing a book about stupidity and all the stupid things I've done and said, it would be quite a tome and I'm not even dead yet. Bwahahahaha.
And that song about suicide, that was the living end!
On top of all that, you're absolutely correct about two things: most beer does taste like that which is why I keep looking for new labels and this country deserves its collapse if professional sports fans keep up their adulation of the franchises that sell us out to the Chicoms. Yes, man, you're absolutely right. What's the sport with the downhill skiers shooting at targets? I'll attend those events from now on.
I'll take a wild shot at it. The sport is called Ski Skyting! But the skiing is cross country skiing. I must be thinking of a Bond movie.
Biathlon, Fran. I hoped to bring it to the Summer Olympics by arming the emaciated marathoners and have them shoot at the beach volleyball players. Who wouldn't watch that?
If the marathoners wore rollerblades it would be a superlative competition along the South Bay beach pavement. The beachfront homes would have spectators spilling over the rails with excitement. Rollerblader Volleyballers Skyting! If you can imagine it, these days...
I can imagine it. In fact when I go back, if I ever get out of this place, to the South Bay I won't be able to erase the vision.
I would. Also, we could spice golf up a whole four yards by changing the rules to make it a contact sport. Who needs men in tights, padding and crash-helmets kneeling all over the lawn?
Time flies when you're getting old. My mother ( still with us) was born in 1924 so many of the events in "100 years from now" have a certain resonance for her, and second hand, to me. It is a reminder how much of the change from then to now has taken place in my own 60+ years.
Dear Mark,
I've been enjoying the 100 years ago feature of your show. It occurs to me that there is a cultural change that began about 1920 that has very greatly affected the culture of 2020. I'm talking about the fact that before 1920 there was no concept of a teenager. Kids were kids 'til about age 12, and working adults thereafter.
Presumably the concept of a teenager was created to allow young adults to become better educated before entering the work place. At that time, the roaring twenties, high schools and colleges were serious about making sure their graduates received the best education they could, and it wasn't for everyone. Alas, as the saying goes (not sure who coined it), it started as a cause, became a business, and turned into a racket. The coddling of teenagers in 2020 beyond their teenage years and into their twenties has become a big business for schools and insurance companies that has devolved into a racket that leaves young adults ignorant and without useful skills. I'd like your opinion of this 100 year old experiment that for many years provided well for society and is now a hopeless mess.
Thank you for your daily reminder that I am not alone in this political and cultural wilderness.
In those days the terminal degree was considered to be eighth grade. From what I have heard, the 1950's saw the creation of the teen subculture. The sudden affluence of the post-WW2 years created a youth demographic group with disposable income. The next thing you know we had I Was A Teenage Werewolf.
And now in 2020 we have teenaged (stunted mental age at least) Harvard graduates who aspire to be CPA's with world-wide CPA firms making grand fools of themselves by publicly posting video of themselves making insane political comments. What's next? Those same "Teenaged CPA Wannabees" blaming unseen unheard "Conservatives" for ruining their lives? Oh the humanity!!
Johnny Mandel's "You Are There" is a song I sang for my parent's memory, thinking specifically of mom boiling tea after dinner and dad in the garden of the home they willed to us and we now enjoy and feel every day that they "Are There." A perfect tribute.
Another musical Last Call you might make later this week is to Ennio Morricone, who died yesterday of a complications from a fall in Italy...and Charlie Daniels, of course. The good news, of course, is that none of the famous troubadours are dying from COVID, since those categories of deaths are down 90%, something the press is loath to report.
I noticed in the beginning of June that the reporting was playing up the numbers of new cases and nearly silent on the number of deaths.
'Most Stupid Song'? So many candidates, so little time.
Leaving aside 'Islands In the Stream' how about this one from 1966?
'Elusive Butterfly of Love' by Bob Lind.
Mainly I want to know how you stay so upbeat, Mark. I enjoy a slide into madness as much as the next guy, probably a lot more, but I have young children.
Michael,
Free unsolicited advice from my wife with respect to being happy with your young children (and making them happy adults in turn):
Make them always show respect to you and their mother. Don't let them have a phone, tv, or computer in their room ever, only books, a desk and a reading lamp. Make them do their school homework on their own (or with minimal help after they have struggled) before dinner, always without exception. Let them make their own choices among reasonable alternatives you have laid out before them. Say yes to their reasonable requests when there is no good reason to say no. Make them get jobs in your home or out with increasing responsibility after age 12, and if you can afford to send them to college, don't indulge them by paying the outrageous costs of a third-rate "elite" college (Harvard accounting, for example) where what they "learn" will do significant damage to the foundation for happiness that you gave them before they left home.
Keeping your children and family life on a happy, even keel makes it possible to weather nearly all storms in the outside world.