Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have gotten so tiresome. Men who have had their moment in the spotlight, black men who worked to better their race at a time when blacks did not have equal rights. Men who still crave the spotlight so jump into crises allegedly to help but distract from issues instead.

It is time for these two to step out of the spotlight. If they want to "do good" and better "their" people or any people why can't they do it without drama? Bill Clinton is the white counter part since he can't stay away from the spotlight either. Such people lose credibilty after a time, ruining their reputation by opening their mouths too often and too inappropriately.

Barack Obama seems to rile both Jackson and Clinton even as he proceeds calmly toward the Presidency. Jackson doesn't think Barack's black enough, and Clinton compared him to Jackson and both former leaders have had to apologize for nasty remarks made about the nominee. It seems Clinton and Jackson are jealous of Obama: Jackson was not able to reach the heights Obama has and Clinton seems jealous of his win over Hillary. He also hasn't needed any of these men to help him reach this goal. (yes, past actions by them have gotten the nation to accept a black candidate) It is Barack's time in the sun and Jackson/Clinton need to realize they are mere shadows now and with each verbal faux pas they are losing any political stature they might yet have. It would be better to quit while they are ahead than be laughed at from behind.

Democracy

Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.
Alan Corenk

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid.
Art Spander


Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
George Bernard Shaw

At the Zoo

We went to the Milwaukee County Zoo yesterday. A nice, sunny 80 degree day and while we did not see all the animals we saw our fair share. My favorites were: gorilla (Cassius -- 430 lbs), orangatang (Tommy -- and one hairy guy), zebras, sea lion show (how fun to be a trainer), penguins (Empirer and rock hoppers), elephants (Brittany was putting on a show with her trainer -- she paints and the paintings are for sale). The male rhino was huge and his horn was very long. In the rhino's case his horn size matches his penis size because this guy was unbelievably huge on both ends!

Simon and Garfunkel sang "At the Zoo" and the tune and lyrics are catchy:

"The monkeys stand for honesty,
Giraffes are insincere,
And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb.
Orangutans are skeptical of changes in their cages,
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum.
Zebras are reactionaries,
Antelopes are missionaries,
Pigeons plot in secrecy,
And hamsters turn on frequently."

Interesting personification of the animals. I doubt I think giraffes are insincere. Are lions hardline bargainers, flamingoes divas??

I enjoy going to the zoo as long as I don't think about large animals being locked into small environments. While understanding that many of these creatures are endangered and that by breeding them in captivity allows the species to survive and knowing that trainers work to keep them mentally stimulated makes the unnatural living circumstances palatable to me, how sad that animals are reduced to surviving by our good graces.