the official blog of the evergreen freedom foundation

From our every-dark-cloud-has-a-silver-lining department...

 

Word has reached the hinterlands of a couple positive developments that have stemmed from the current rough economic times.  While it's imprudent and uncivil to glory in the misery of others, one can't help but mutter under one's breath, "Amen - there is some justice after all!" 

 

But please...do so in good taste.

 

First comes word of layoffs and programming cuts at NPR/PBS/KUOW .  Sweet!

 

I've never figured out why government is in the TV and radio biz.  It's best at blowing things up during wartime or building the odd bridge or two, though these days one wonders if it can even get these basic tasks right.

 

But when it comes to allegedly "educating" or "informing" us?  Yeah, right...

 

And it's not as though they're without resources either.  If they played their cards right by marketing franchise players such as Big Bird or Ken Burns, maybe sell the occasional ad or two, they'd be rolling in dough. But that would mean implementing the virtues of capitalism and the marketplace, which they have, in their heart of hearts and soul of souls, vowed to destroy.

 

Besides, since I regard boredom as the only genuinely unforgivable media sin (think also Rosie O'Donnell's new and now late alleged TV variety show), the cuts and layoffs represent karma writ large.  I don't care what you say about me, just so long as it's clever.  But with so much of what's on NPR/PBS/KUOW, who needs Sominex?

 

So, with sincerity, restraint, and deep emotion, I can only say:

 

"How do ya like them apples, Charlie???"

 

And from our nation's capitol comes word that the Big Three bailout bill is now belly up.

 

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

 

Turns out the UAW wasn't prepared to take its long overdue medicine, so into the legislative shredder went the 2008 Chiselers and Wastrels Relief Act, unable to muster a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate.

 

The bill's death is being mourned by well under a majority of the American people, and then mostly by thousand-dollar-suit and $80-an-hour types who felt entitled to more of your money than it seems you get to keep.  No services are pending, and no flowers, please.

 

While times are genuinely tough all over, and Christmas this year for lots of kids in and around Flint and Ypsilanti won't be as merry as they would like, that doesn't mean Uncle Sam, despite his white beard and red-colored clothes, should morph into Santa Claus.

 

The Ho-Ho-Ho article of the Bill of Rights never was ratified by enough of the original states, much to the relief of flinty Alexander Hamilton, who was the son of a son of a Scottish laird.

 

Besides...Uncle Santa Sam Claus emptied his sleigh over at AIG where they then went out and had a gourmet buffet lunch of reindeer cutlets. 

 

It's time for the Big Three and their pals at the UAW to face the music, grim though it may be.  Maybe out of all this and at the end of the day good will emerge.  At least a lesson to all who would think it's hunky-dory to go on a decades-long binge thinking that there will always be a pot of bailout gold at the end of the profligacy rainbow.

 

So, to those over at PBS/NPR/KUOW who feel as though they've been handed a lemon, give it a thorough squeeze, add some sparkling water and Splenda (sugar is so unhealthy and un-PC) and make some lemonade.

 

To the Big Three and the UAW who now have gobs of broken egg all over their faces, scrape it all into a skillet, add some 'shrooms and bacon bits, and make yourself an omelette - for the rough road ahead, you'll need all the protein you can get!

 

For the rest of us?  Let us not overly rejoice in their misfortunes...Dignity, always dignity.

 

The Piper