Author: Dick

This morning I watched British Prime Minister Gordon Brown address Congress where his remarks also included the news that Queen Elizabeth was bestowing honorary knighthood on Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. I am sure that this news about the old liberal “Lion” was met with no small amount of right-wing consternation as those of the conservative ilk view Ted Kennedy with almost as much disdain as the Clintons and Barack Obama. Not that any of this matters.

Some cable news analyst watching Brown speak of the closeness and the enormous debt of gratitude owed the U.S. by the U.K noted that the gesture towards Kennedy sort of brought the storied family to a full circle. The analyst — perhaps it was historian Douglas Brinkley — noted Robert Kennedy’s remark once that the only reason his family was in America is that they were run out of Ireland. He also mentioned patriarch Joe Kennedy Sr.’s controversial tenure as ambassador to the Court of St. James where the old bootlegger supported the British P.M. Neville Chamberlain’s policy of appeasing the Nazis.

I don’t begrudge any honors to Ted Kennedy because — despite all the things he has done both good and bad — he has done a tremendous amount of work for his country. I suppose though, that I am little awed by the act of honorary knighthood by the Queen of England. If some significance exists in a historical context by such actions between those of our country and the British crown then I could see the point of importance of this all being made on grounds that the foundation of our American nation came from the British Isles. However, even though I am of Scotch, Irish and British stock myself, I don’t particularly acknowledge Britain as being my mother country necessarily.

I was born, raised and have spent most of my years in Texas with the exception of the time I served the U.S. in the military. Texas, of course, has had six flags fly over it by countries with sovereignty of one way or another. Those flags, for the non-Texans, are Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States. I am sure knowing that pains some of the more conservative folks in my state who disdain all things French and Mexican (perhaps excepting the food style of the latter people.)

Nonetheless, it would neither be correct nor preferable for me to claim any of those nations as the mother country with the exception of the United States because I was, quoting that famous New Jersey fellow Springsteen, “Born in the U.S.A.” If I had to pick one of those countries which flew their flag over my home state, however, my preference would be the Republic of Texas because of its history.

So congratulations to Sir Teddy. It is kind of ironic that with all the talk of his brother’s short presidency and “Camelot” that Ted Kennedy would be the Kennedy who is knighted, at least honorarily. Perhaps someone down here in Texas will drink a toast in Sir Ted’s honor of cold Lone Stars (or perhaps a Corona cerveza por favor?)

About an hour of my afternoon was pretty much shot today after locking my keys inside my truck. All had rolled along pretty good, or so I thought, until I got back to my office and had that sickening feeling just as I shut the door that my keys were inside.

Ah but no worry. I had a spare made after the last time I did this and stuck it inside my wallet. Inside my wallet. It was supposed to be inside my wallet. Where was the damn thing? There were two other keys in my wallet that I have no earthly idea what they opened, if anything. But a spare pickup door key, not to be confused with my pickup ignition key, was nowhere to be found.

Finally I decided to call the good ol’ locksmith. He said that he could be there in about 15 minutes and he was pretty close on the money. Speaking of money, it took him about a minute to open my door. He made me another spare key on the spot (ignition it turned out) in about another minute and within two minutes had earned himself $30. That’s not bad for him. It also isn’t that bad for me. My door was opened and now I have my keys. Thirty dollars is not a terrible amount of money either although when one is four days or so from payday, it’s more than I would have liked to shell out.

But I have my keys. I learned a valuable lesson — keep your head out of your ass. Live (frugally) and learn.

While reading about so-called “recession and depression proof jobs” I was not surprised to learn that mechanics fall in such categories. One would think when money is extremely tight that they would hang on to their jalopies rather than buy a new set of wheels.

It also occurred to me that probably some of the mechanics’ business may come from those who try to save some bucks by working on their own vehicles but just screw it up even worse. Screwing up a DIY car repair, of course, is much easier to accomplish these days than say 30-to-40 years ago when cars had less computers and wires as well as having engine compartments large enough for one to take a nap.

Even what were once the simplest tasks in automobile repair or maintenance such as changing spark plugs have been made difficult. It seems sometimes that the auto makers put in a bunch of wires and hoses under the hood that seem to have no function other than ensuring a mechanic — especially a dealership mechanic — works on the vehicle.

I mention this as I am looking for instructions on how to change out the driver’s side safety belt in my pickup. Just looking at the harness one would think the task would be relatively simple but as I noted nothing is simple anymore with respect to automobile repair. This is as well made worse by the fact that I have the mechanical aptitude of an inch worm. The replacement is necessary because the belt has become worn which is really nothing short of amazement since this will be the third safety belt I have had to replace on my Toyota Tacoma. The first was when the truck was still under drive train warranty. The second one was a year later and the same dealership installed it for free amazingly enough. The present belt managed to remain in good condition until recently.

No doubt I will do a careful cost-benefit and see who wins, the mechanic or me. I know who I would bet on at this point.

For some reason the text moved around on my post about the First Dogs. Originally, the notations were correct. But now … The water dog is still the top photo and the Labradoodle is at the bottom, although it is pictured right so that is technically correct. I would say “my bad” but it isn’t it is Blogger’s. Oh well, I guess I should have noticed it earlier, you know, the buck stops here and all that. But does it really matter? Can’t we all just get along?

The Republican Party seems these days like a rudderless ship drifting out in the sea.

Democrats, fresh from their hat trick retaking the presidency, House and Senate, are making the best of their opponent party in its current leader-free state. The latest pick at the GOP is a new television ad which characterizes Rush Limbaugh as leader of the Republican party. Such a development is seen by some as the coming of a “permanent campaign.” It is a dreadful thought to be sure although both congressional and presidential campaigns do seem now to be in perpetual motion.

There is a struggle by Republicans vying to take charge of the party but all the momentum appears to be in favor of the GOP’s extreme right wing. It also seems like the right wing is all that is left in Congress, at least when it comes to the House and the minority leadership in both houses.

Of course, I would not shed a lot of tears to see the GOP come apart at the seams. I am in favor of a two-party system though and to think that some of the more thoughtful Republican members of Congress such as Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania having no seat at the table is actually disquieting.

Although I have no idea as to the likelihood, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Republican party split into new parties. That certainly wouldn’t be good for the GOP — I guess depending on how one looks at it — but it seems a better possibility now than ever given the party’s state of affairs. Will it happen? Hey, don’t ask me. I am just speculating. Can it happen? To paraphrase a wanna-be GOP leader, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: “You betcha.” Dominant parties have broken apart and evolved into different entities. You’ve seen it in politics before and you see it happen all the time with churches. As to drawing some type of conclusion with regard to that last thought. I reckon I should just quit while I am ahead.