Isn't it Ironical?

There's this dumbass who wants to make English the official language of the local government in Metro Nashville/Davidson County. Not only that, but the law he supports would forbid any government business to occur in any language other than English. Here's the irony: Tennessee's public institutions of higher learning require a "foreign language credit" in order for the school to accept a student. That means that, if this law passed, as is, graduates of public schools in Nashville/Davidson County would not be eligible to attend college in their own state.

Yeah, mierda de toro.

Update: Here's a clue...

This just in: from the Nashville Tennessean, a columnist opines about Alamo's history. Turns out my memory was not so bad after all! (I think I want that hair-do that Tony has in the picture just to the right of the column!)

If someone starts a church and names it after himself, I am persuaded to believe that the theology is not foremost on the founder's mind. I am convinced that what is foremost on the founder's mind is self-promotion. (Look closely at the picture in the article.)

And while I see no reference to it in any easily-accessed articles, here is a bit of history on Tony Alamo from my own memory: he was basically "run out" of Nashville, TN, many years ago. If I remember correctly, there were financial questions about his operation. You see, at the time, he was also known for designing clothes for country music stars (think lots of rhinestones!). I seem to recall that finances between his "church" and his "clothing business" got intermingled and lots disappeared or somesuch.

Final thought...I have been handed tracts from the Tony Alamo church here in East Harlem as recently as July. Who woulda thunk it?

Billy Hinton

Jake and Jack lost a grandfather over the weekend. This weekend also was Jake's birthday, which means that he will connect the two events for the rest of his life.

Billy Hinton was one of the finest men I have ever known. He grew up just across the "holler" from where my brother and I grew up. My brother truly married a hometown girl. And he got wonderful in-laws in the deal.

Like me, Jake has a way of either hiding his emotions or holding them in. He is doing that now with the most significant loss he has known in his short 12 years. Knowing he is hurting is heartbreaking for me.

When I hurt, or get hurt, I am pretty good at shaking it off. When someone I love is hurting or get hurts, I can't stand it. My prayer is that Jake finds peace in the knowledge that Grandpa is in a better place.

Hari Putar--NAKED!

The Good Nurse dragged me to a Broadway show on Friday night. Thankfully it was not a musical, because I don't have enough Valium so survive that.

Anyway, the show was (and still is) "Equus." Written in 1973, it is the story of a young man who has all sorts of unusual relationships with horses. I don't mean in a physical sense, but rather an emotional sense.

Aside from the knowledge that Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter movies, would appear without clothes, I knew very little about this show. Let me say now that the enjoyment of the writing exceeded the ability of the performers and I was pleased and delighted with such a wonderful work.

I suspect the main draw for this play will be a naked Harry Potter. I also suspect that after watching the show, many will continue to discuss the psychological quirks that the writer so skillfully captured more than they discuss the novelty of a teen star in the buff. Because it is a dark psychological thriller that lingers in the mind. Oh, and we can't forget the comedic lines the author included at just the right places.

The Good Nurse would consider me remiss if I did not include this tidbit: Radcliffe's endowment is average, but he has low hangers.

Plotting an Evil Plan

It seems that every time I speak with my mother these days (about twice a week), she tries to sell me on McCain. She can't and won't support Obama. Not since she received a whippin' as a child for wearing a pro-Kennedy button home from school is she able to vote for a Democrat.

So she is trying to persuade me to vote for the old fart from Arizona who doesn't even know how to use a computer. We have reached an impasse where we both agree that McCain will carry Kentucky and Obama will carry New York. Between us, we can't change that.

But...the evil plan I have hatched. I called some buddies: Gardner, Pork Chop and Truck Driver Dan. I have asked them all to do one little errand for me before Election Day: find an Obama '08 sign and plant it in her yard. If everything goes according to plan, each will arrive at different times and plant their respective signs. In the end, we will all have a big laugh. I have let my brother in on the scheme, so she doesn't call the law and accuse someone of vandalism.

Stay tuned for updates as they occur.

In a related note, Happy Birthday to Nephew #2, who turned 8 yesterday! My, the years are passing...

Tennis, Anyone?

So many things I can think of saying about this photo. But I will behave and just say, "awww...what a cute photo!"

Size is Relative

"...by order of the mayor of New York, everyone is a little Caribbean-American today."

--Mayor Michael Bloomberg, September 1, 2008, at the West Indian American Day Parade.

I don't think his order "worked." I was out and about yesterday, and everyone looked the same size as usual.