Frodo, Keeper of the Ring

Thursday, February 9, 2006

Through It All I Did It My Way
Mood:

suave
Topic: "Ken Meets Jack"
One year before Enron went belly up, Jack Abramoff was introduced to the firm as a potential source of assistance. In an e-mail dated December 19, 2000, the following was presented to Richard Shapiro, Enron's top lobbyist, by a consultant who, conveniently, was on the payroll of both Enron and Jack Abramoff:

"abramoff is arguably the most influential and effective gop lobbyist in congress. i share several clients with him and have yet to see him lose a battle. he also is close to Delay and could help enormously."

The author of this "lower case e-mail" is Ralph Reed, candidate for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor in the State of Georgia. The e-mail resulted in lunches in which Abramoff sat across the table from Enron executives.

No details of the Abramoff-Enron meetings could be found.

This past week, Jared Thomas, the campaign manager for Ralph Reed, disputed the contents of Reed's own e-mail by denying the "shared" clients with Abramoff.

Reed, of course, defeated an Alabama gambling initiative which ended up benefiting an Abramoff client, the Choctaw Indian tribe casinos across the state line in Mississippi. Concomitantly, Reed started an anti-gambling campaign in Texas funded by another Abramoff client, the Coushatta Indian tribe casinos in Louisiana. Reed was compensated, to the tune of millions of dollars, by Abramoff from the clients he represented.

Reed denies knowing that the money was from gambling sources.

Reed has not returned the money.

Frodo reports these events factually. Frodo hopes that Georgia Republicans do nominate Ralph Reed for the Office of Lieutenant Governor. In fact, since Georgia has an "open primary," Frodo plans to cast his own vote for Ralph Reed in the Republican primary. The desired result being Ralph Reed as the Republican candidate supported only by the die-hard bigoted partisan nut-cakes who believe in this piece of dog poop (with appropriate apologies to "Mick," "Fiona," and "Georgia"). Frodo still believes in the wisdom of the voter--but sometimes you just have to maneuver things around a bit.

Ralph Reed, by the way, was not seen at the funeral of Coretta Scott King.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:55 PM EST

Updated: Saturday, February 11, 2006 12:02 PM EST

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Wednesday, February 8, 2006

I Wanna Dance With Somebody, I Wanna Feel The Heat With Somebody
Mood:

on fire
Topic: "Road to Damascus"
Frodo has seemingly always been aware that, although "all roads lead to Rome," somebody consistently seems to be "on the road to Damascus." Frodo cannot recall anybody ever saying that they were actually in Damascus, but that they were, indeed, on the way. Paul the Apostle, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, and even Charles Kuralt come to mind as travelers on their way to the mystical-sounding city named in the "Arabian Nights" of Frodo's earliest reading adventures. Damascus, Frodo fears, is much more than an escapist destination in these troubling times.

Clueless Secretary of State Rice today identified Syria and Iran as instigators, as distinguished from insurgents, in the violence sweeping the Muslim world over the depiction of the Prophet Mohammed in cartoons published in certain European newspapers. Caucasians from around the world have seemingly been shocked at the depth of the outrage. Frodo has noticed that Americans, most of all, have been mystified that a religion which seemingly has no problem with beheadings and murder should get all worked up over a cartoon. After all, their own President is a true comic figure and is depicted as everything from a dunce to a puppet to a storm trooper by cartoonists, be they domestic or foreign.

It amazes Frodo how much Americans have learned about Middle Eastern culture in such a short time. Think, dear reader, how many words have been added to the standard vocabulary in just the past few years. Sunni, Kurd, Shiite, insurgent, embedded, Mullah, IED, WMD, RPG, Kevlar, Halliburton, and even Koran are a dozen examples of things which even residents of Texas can now define.

What worries Frodo most of all is that Americans will soon be on the road to Damascus, and that they will find that it is indeed a journey without end.

The fact that values differ among peoples is something that one learns from travel. Had George W. Bush ever traveled outside the US of A before he morphed into Sauron, he might have further considered an attempt to impose a whole new set of governmental responsibilities on the peoples of Iraq. The road from there to Damascus is a toll road, and travelers find it to be very expensive.

Yes, Americans have learned much about Middle Eastern culture, but the dance beat in the streets is not Whitney Houston. It is the tolling of bells.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:01 PM EST

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Tuesday, February 7, 2006

We Are Not Afraid Today
Mood:

lucky
Topic: "Thunder Road"
In the time before Interstate Highways, travel by motorcar was perilous enough. Gas stations were few and far between. Kemmons Wilson had just come up with the idea of "motels," and places to spend the night did not exist outside cities and good-sized towns. It was an ominous experience for Frodo and his family, but it was a dangerous one for black people.

Frodo knows the story is true, so listen dear reader, and do not be afraid.

The two ministers from Atlanta were on their way to Kentucky on business. There were no commercial establishments which would provide them rest on their two-day sojourn. They knew however, of a place in Tennessee, in a town called New Market, and it was called the Highlander Center. They knew that the people who maintained the Center were interested in preserving the culture and the heritage of the people who inhabited the Southern Highlands. They were different from their neighbors. Before there were such words, these people were "beatnicks," or "hippies." To many of their neighbors they were "Communists." The Highlander Center had suffered numerous bombings and acts of arson. The State of Tennessee had moved in Federal Court to demolish this gathering spot for "gentle people, with flowers in their hair."

The ministers pulled in to the Highlander Center seeking food and shelter. The fact that they were black had little impact on their hosts. After dinner, and before bed, the residents gathered around an open fire and sang spirituals. Frodo can close his eyes and hear the tune of "A Closer Walk With Thee," even now.

The next day the ministers headed off for their destination in the Bluegrass State. Before long, one turned to the other and he said, "Ya know Ralph, I just can't get that one song out of my mind."

Ralph David Abernathy and Martin Luther King, Jr. had been introduced to the tune "We Shall Overcome" by a bunch of white boys.

There remains a small white Hobbit who hums that tune every time he passes Knoxville heading North on Interstate 40 before he gets to Dollywood. Tonight he will hum that tune for Coretta.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:42 PM EST

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Monday, February 6, 2006

'Cause You See I'm on a Losin' Streak
Mood:

surprised
Topic: "Play Melancholy Baby"
Frodo first saw Mick Jagger after he saw Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells. Frodo watched as the stage was pelted with jelly beans, and he compared it to women handing bouquets of flowers to Elvis Presley. It was a seminal mixture of "American music" and "British rock," and the Rolling Stones were to participate as a catalytic agent over the next forty years.

All of this reflection seems appropriate after watching "the Stones" perform three songs during half-time of yesterday's Super Bowl. With a five second pause between lyric and playback, Frodo remembered, eerily, the first television appearances of Presley, and the apparent absence of the lower portion of his torso.

Frodo made a point of watching "the Stones" when he heard the talking head say that not a single one of the Pittsburgh Steelers asked was able to identify even a single song ever performed by The Rolling Stones.

Let's come back in another forty years and see if anyone participating in the 80th Super Bowl Halftime Show can name a single member of the Pittsburgh Steelers who won yesterday's game. Despite the obstacles of time, Frodo promises to be there and to watch the proceedings even if he has to remove obstructions from his cloud.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:14 PM EST

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Sunday, February 5, 2006

What's Love But a Second Hand Emotion
Mood:

don't ask
Topic: "War on Tara"
Frodo believes that sometimes things just get out of the realm of the rational. This past week, in Vonore, Tennessee, the alert was elevated to red.

Two male fourth-graders at Vonore Elementary School were suspended after School Resources Officer (Now, before we go on, do you have any idea what a "School Resources Officer" might be expected to do? Neither does Frodo.) Dean Norton discovered their "death list." Norton said he was taking the threat seriously and has formally charged the two students with commission of an "act of terrorism."

The list seized from the two students consisted of 56 names. Some of the names were of fellow students, some of their teachers, celebrities from the worlds of sports and music, fictional characters, "every single cop in the world," and "all cats."

Frodo questioned the validity of the count since he is nearly sure that there are more than 56 cats in the universe.

Director of Schools Mitch Millsaps subsequently stated that the list "was not a zero tolerance offense."

Frodo agrees that the production of a "death list" is probably not a good idea, but he recalls that at a comparable time in his life there were also a number of individuals for whom he had little use. Some of them would have been teachers, and some of them would have been fellow Hobbits at the Elementary School of the Shire. Frodo's list would certainly have included the neighbor's cat, Sassafras, a Siamese, who was solely responsible for an unfettered increase in the number of unwanted kittens in the Shire.

If Frodo were in authority at Vonore Elementary School, he would suggest to the young students that they familiarize themselves with the Old Testament Book of Job, and that, in the future, when they create lists of individuals, fictional or otherwise, that the pustules would be a much more fitting punishment than simple death.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:36 PM EST

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Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Got a New Set of Clothes, A Pretty Red Rose, And a Woman I Can Call My Friend
Mood:

spacey
Topic: "Punxatawney Bush"
Every year, it seems, George W. Bush outlines his plans for the future right about the time that the ground hog sees his shadow, followed by six more weeks of winter. Frodo believes there is a relationship between such mythology and politicians. Nancy Reagan, for example, was such a believer in astrological charts that she timed many of her husband's activities to the movement of the stars (for purposes of clarification, Frodo is not referring to public figures in Hollywood). The result being that Reagan was dubbed "The Teflon President," because none of his errors or bumblings associated themselves with his public persona.

George W. Bush cannot seem to escape the "six week window of opportunity" that characterizes his administration. Last year, Sauron stated that he was going to "reform Social Security." For the next six weeks, he attended every convention of white hand-picked dullards in all the land, and preached to them about his noble plan. When that didn't work, he saw his shadow and retreated.

Soon thereafter Sauron decided that Harriet Miers would be an outstanding Supreme Court Justice. For the next six weeks he appeared before every hand-picked, overweight and senile body still breathing in order to convince them to "trust" his judgment. When that failed, he disappeared for six more weeks.

Most recently, he emerged from his burrow in Crawford in order to encourage his fellow citizens to "stay the course" in the Pre-emptive War in Iraq. The spectre of continually falling approval ratings allowed him to concentrate on preparations for yesterday's pronouncements while hiding since mid-December.

Frodo was surprised only by the fact that there was not one single original thought in anything he had to say. Ethanol, been there, done that; R&D tax breaks, been around since Carter; more teachers in science and math, mentioned by Eisenhower; and reforming healthcare, that was Harry Truman at first blush.

Now he's seen his shadow again, so it'll be about six weeks until he gets warmed up to start stomping grapes in front of his hand-picked idolaters.

"What's that you say, Mr. Frodo?"

"Yeah, I guess that's true. When he smirks he even looks like a ground hog."

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:52 PM EST

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Monday, January 30, 2006

I Believe in Miracles, Since You Came Along, You Sexy Thing
Mood:

silly
Topic: "Whopper"
Frodo is taking issue with the purported discovery of the world's smallest fish. Researchers have reported that PAEDOCYPRIS PROGENETICA (a distant cousin of the carp) is not only the world's smallest fish, but the world's smallest vertebrate as well. Discovered in the steaming peat bogs of Sumatra, the smallest adult specimen captured was just 0.31 of an inch from nose to tail.

Last summer, while cruising "Lake Lovey" on the "U.S.S. Minnow," with Mick (the Wonder Dog) and Fiona (the most beautiful girl in the world), Frodo happened to notice riffles in the water under a low-hanging tree limb. Stealthily, or at least as quietly as one can navigate with dogs barking at every squirrel in every tree within a 10-mile radius, Frodo guided the pontoon craft to a point within reasonable casting distance.

Outfitted with the penultimate in rubber worms, i.e. "purple but with a shocking pink tail," Frodo dropped the lure directly in front of whatever denizen was laying waste to the baitfish tipping the surface. An immense shadow passed between Frodo and the now motionless worm at the bottom of the lake. Suddenly, the shadow turned and raced directly for Frodo's lure. Frodo could feel beads of sweat forming in numerous locations on his body.

From out of nowhere, something raced in front of the immense shadow and grabbed Frodo's lure from the open maw of the largemouth bass. Frodo pulled mightily on his exclusive Shakespeare rod, and set the hook deeply. Within moments Frodo had the prize on the deck of the "Minnow."

Neither Mick nor Fiona even bothered to get up from their shady resting spots on deck. Frodo looked longingly at the immense shadow now turning into deeper water as he attempted to remove the 0.29 of an inch true minnow from his hook. The greedy little pecker had tried to take a lure which was bigger than he was.

Frodo believes that fish was a Republican.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 8:41 PM EST

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Sunday, January 29, 2006

In Birmingham They Love The Governor
Mood:

smelly
Topic: "Grading on a Curve"
Frodo recalls one of those survey courses he took at the College of the Shire. He never knew why it was required, and he has certainly never applied anything he memorized in those days. When the first test scores came back, not a single Hobbit scored higher than "55." Frodo knows because he has often wondered who the alien was that did so well on something so virtually impossible. Fearing that his time as a student would be entirely preparatory for Basic Training in the Army of the Shire, Frodo was pleased to become acquainted with the concept of "grading on a curve."

George W. Bush is probably very familiar with the concept. In contrast to Frodo, the Leader of the Western World is applying it to real life. In his State of the Union Address, Volume VI, Sauron is going to announce a reduction in the number of Army Reserves and of National Guardsmen. He will, Frodo assumes, wrap this as if it is a reduction in troop committments to fight the Pre-Emptive War. He will also take credit for the cost savings to the taxpayers of Middle Earth.

What Sauron will neglect to mention is that he is unable to attract sufficient volunteers into either activity. All he is doing is reducing the "authorized" number down to the "actual" number. He will, of course, make this sound as if it is some sort of successful effort on his part, and proudly give himself an "A."

It is now clear to Frodo how he got through Yale.

Frodo might have deserved something below the "B" he got out of that survey course a long time ago. The curve may have helped keep him out of the rice paddies of Vietnam, but it may also have given some people the mistaken impression that Sauron experiences legitimate cognitive thought.

It probably also explains the whole idea of "No Child Left Behind."

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:39 PM EST

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Saturday, January 28, 2006

You're The One I've Been Waiting on Forever
Mood:

celebratory
Topic: "Birthday Baggins"
George Reeves played one of the Tarleton twins in the movie "Gone With the Wind." He went on, in the early days of television to play "Superman" in black-and-white TV. Forever cast in that role, the actor was doomed, and he committed suicide. Every time that Frodo watches the twins woo "Miss Scarlett," he thinks of the kryptonite bullet that shattered the brain of Superman.

Mr. Elijah Wood turns 25 years of age today. It was his stirring portrayal of your host, dear reader, that prompted these words, and those which have gone before. Frodo is "Everyman," thrust into action because everyone else hesitates. It is a noble role, and it is one to which Frodo has been cast in life as in art. If Frodo does not destroy the Ring, then who shall?

It is Frodo's wish that Mr. Wood grow a beard, and put on a great deal of weight. Let no Citizen of Middle Earth look upon this accomplished young actor and remember him for but a single role. He has accomplished something, and perhaps enriched us all. Frodo hopes so.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:08 PM EST

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Thursday, January 26, 2006

Even The Jordan River Has Bodies Floatin'
Mood:

don't ask
Topic: "Geneva Accords Redux"
In 1954, after the fall of Dienbienphu in French Indo-China, the Geneva Accords provided for the end of European rule in the nation that is today the Republic of Vietnam. The Accords called for "free and open elections" to establish a national government based on the will of the indigenous peoples of that land. History tells us that the United States of America, in support of the Catholic minority in the southern regions, refused to sign the Accords. The majority of the potential electorate, it seems, were predominantly Communists and they were loyal to a leader named Ho Chi Minh.
In brief, elections were not held because the United States of America felt that the guys they wanted to win would lose.

Frodo, not unlike many other citizens of Middle Earth, believed that to fight a war against one of the guiding principles of democracy, i.e. free and open elections, was the worst kind of hypocrisy. The United States of America however, took the posture that the threat of Communism was so great that it could tumble fragile nations into the hands of the Communist dictators one after the other, just like dominoes.

It did not matter that the leadership in the southern regions was corrupt. It did not matter that their governments were cruel and despotic. It did not matter that the minority were supported entirely by US Foreign Aid. They were against the Communists, and that was all that mattered.

Amid all the tragedy of those endless years of war, Frodo was convinced that such stupidity would not be repeated while he inhabited Middle Earth.

Today, the President of the United States announced that his nation would not recognize or deal with the winners in the Palestinian election given their present position on relations with Israel. It did not matter that their existing leadership was historically corrupt and inefficient. It did not matter that the winners are part of the regional religious majority, i.e. Sunni Muslim. It did not matter that a "free and open" democratic election, the supposed objective of the long and costly War in Iraq, had clearly spoken for the peoples of the area. It was not "our guys" who won.

Frodo recognizes that there are many, and very good, arguments to support the President of the United States in this policy decision. There are many who will immediately point to the threat of terror, as did those who once pointed to the threat of Communism, as justification. Frodo fears that the philosophical rejection of that example which our own history shows us, will, once again, cost the United States of America very, very dearly.

Hamas, as a governing entity, will need more than $70 Million beyond its' resources every month in order to maintain control in Palestine. The shortfall will not be made up by US Foreign Aid. Sunni Muslims will rally to their brothers. The majority Sunni governments of Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, et al, provide capital. Sunni insurgents join with Hamas in their desperate struggle to rid their lands of foreign intervention. The majority Shi'ia nations of the region, Iran and Iraq, grow closer every day as religious fundamentalists fill the leadership vacuum. The Shi'ia can be a battleground, or they can be an ally for Hamas. Only time and technology will tell.

Condoleezza Rice will talk to Tony Blair. Vladimir Putin will talk to Jacques Chirac. Frau Merkel will talk to Prime Minister Koizumi.

George W. Bush will sing to the choir.

Frodo watches the little Hobbits next door. Through his tears he sees camouflage uniforms and automatic weapons, just beyond their horizon. With all his heart Frodo knows we have learned nothing, nothing at all. We still have the dumbest people in the greatest positions of power, and we have given them the rope to tie around the necks of those little Hobbits.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:00 PM EST

Updated: Monday, February 6, 2006 8:35 PM EST

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