Mood:  sad

The thing that amazes Frodo most of all is that, as far as he now knows, he never met a single person who had died on the 11th Day of September, 2001.  Despite his many trips into New York and Washington, and his many business contacts with people in the financial and military worlds, not one single casualty was an acquaintance of the Hobbit.  It should be added that for some strange reason, Frodo feels ashamed.  

How fitting, thinks Frodo, that his title this evening is Elvis Presley, singing about "Kentucky Rain."  When Elvis died, Frodo left his youth behind, but it was the events of the 11th Day of September that suddenly brought Frodo into a confrontation with the final third of his own existence.  He has found himself raging, as Dylan Thomas might have said, "against the light," as if he might, indeed, not go gently into that good night. 

Now, more than ever, Frodo is concerned about principle.  Reluctant to mask the truth for any reason, and unwilling to accept inequity, he finds himself increasingly torn by the fires of a generation soon to disappear forever.  Hard work, and sacrifice, cannot erase the trivialities which characterize the final breaths of those who shaped and formed he who is the Hobbit.  Frodo, every day it seems, laments the loss of civility in their lives, and promises, once again, that he shall not do the same.

How ironic it is that Frodo thinks about the 11th Day of September, and wishes that something so vile, so horrendous, could have been the vessel that served the end for those who now suffer, in heart and mind.  It would have been quicker, and less brutal.  It would have given Frodo something to cry about.

Crying is not all bad.    

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 10:13 PM EDT

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Frodo, not unlike most of us, is very fond of certain words and phrases, for they often appear in his writings and in his words.  "Independently inventing the wheel," is a phrase he often uses to demonstrate the arrogance of those who seem to feel that they are unique in all the world.  Frodo, on the other hand, happens to believe that there is no problem confronting man or Hobbit which appears for the first time today.  Somewhere, at some time in the more than 10,000 years of upright bipedal locomotion, it has all happened before.  That, of course, gives rise to the saying, "He who does not learn from history is bound to repeat it."

In Spain, the government has submitted a plan to fight soaring unemployment (now at 6.1% in the US of A) by shutting the door on foreign workers.  The Labor Minister announced this week that the number of work visas granted abroad to workers eager to get low-skill jobs in Spain will "get close to zero."  Critics argue that the plan is "mean-spirited and futile."  Frodo kept looking to see what words of wisdom some Spanish Lou Dobbs might potentially offer to the controversy.  Amid the silence, Frodo did note that Spain borders only Portugal and France, with Morocco staring across the Pillars of Hercules into Europe.  Frodo assumes therefore that Moroccco is the source of the Spanish problem.

Frodo wonders what the Spanish word for "wetback" is, when applied to African emigres.  If, as most conservatives would note, the government simply refused to legally recognize tempoary workers, then there would have to be a prescription for the subsequent problems to follow.  Following in the current American tradition, the Spaniards will probably build a wall, and issue firearms to any citizen demanding the right to defend home and hearth from the infidels. 

What is inherent in the Spanish situation is the fact that, since the legislation only addresses "low-skill" jobs, then it must imply that there are "Two Spains."  There is a Spain which basks in the good life of a civilized and fruitful society, and there is another Spain in which society fails to deliver on the promise of a happy and productive existence.  There is, quite likely, a barrister somewhere in Spain who speaks of this, while seeking a potential political career.  He is probably under observation by the Spanish-language version of the "National Enquirer."

There are, of course, many parallels to be drawn in this analogy, and it could very easily be compared to present situations in Great Britain (Turks), Germany (Eastern Europeans), or even China (Sunni Muslims).  To add even greater perspective, it is not obstreperous to examine the flow of Chinese into the American West and Arabs into the American South, all for the purpose of constructing railroad beds during the 19th century.

These parallels ought to be providing our leadership with some greater insight into the peaceful reconciliation of problems in today's world.  Simply because what we face to day doesn't differ much from that which happened in other places, at other times.

The problem with the past eight years was that nobody took the time, or suffered the indignation, to ask questions.  The cowboys in charge were "afraid" to stop and ask directions.

Now what is the difference between a "maverick" and a "cowboy?"  Despite "Brokeback Mountain," the answer is not "lipstick."  Note, dear reader, that the similarity between the two is much greater than the differences.  Neither is noted for operating logically, rather it is as if they were inventing the wheel, for the first time.   Let us hope that history does not condemn us to a repetition of the circumstances which have brought us to the very caverns of Mount Doom. 

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 4:31 PM EDT

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Mood:  don't ask

Todd Cruz, age 53, died yestereday.  Todd Cruz was a professional baseball player who happened to be a member of the Baltimore Orioles on their championship team in 1983.  Frodo knows because he was a big fan, at the time, of the team they defeated in the World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tom had lived in Baltimore his whole life, and was even more of a sports fan than his friend, Frodo.  The two friends bet on everything, and reveled in Pyrrhic victories which caused the other to buy the beer, or crack the crabs.  When there was no game, they tested each other in trivia from games past.  Frodo fondly remembers upsetting his friend when he could name each of the four Baltimore pitchers who won 20 or more games in the same season, the only time in the entire history of the game that such has occurred. (Answer below for anyone stricken with a need to know; Frodo will be disappointed by any reader from the gentler sex who is unable to name the one who was a model for underwear at the time).

When Frodo lost the bet on the 1983 World Series, he had to go to Baltimore and purchase a plateful of steamed crabs (Note:  steamed, not boiled).  Sharing the crabs, even in a losing cause was, well, not to be forgotten. While there, his friend gave him a Baltimore Orioles "World Champion" Tee Shirt.  Frodo still has that shirt, although it reflects the hard use of a quarter century.

Tom died several years ago.  Frodo always figured it was a combination of Carling Black Label Beer, Kool cigarettes, and steamed crabs.  Frodo realized as he thought of his old friend, that he can no longer remember his last name.  Sometimes we let the important stuff just slip away, don't we?

(Trivia Answer:  Dave McNally, Pat Dobson, Mike Cuellar, and Jim Palmer).

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:30 PM EDT

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Mood:  happy

Frodo and Sam enjoyed the time in the City of Orleans.  There has always been an ambience to living on the edge, with little regard for what may come tomorrow.  Frodo came to know people who opened a "Christmas Club" at the local bank which they used for the purpose of purchasing beads and other "throws" during Mardi Gras.  Never giving a thought to putting something away for the proverbial "rainy day," all of their creative energy was ushered into celebrations, be they of life, or of death.  Frodo and Sam were captivated by the good times, and the bacchanalian aspect of a Hobbit's time and place.

Frodo had little experience of a maritime nature, so when he discovered an advertisement for a 10 foot styrofoam sailboat, distributed by the manufacturers of "Kool" cigarettes, he imagined himself learning to sail on one of the many bodies of water surrounding his residence in the City of Orleans.  Oftentimes he subsequently saw himself as a young Kennedyesque figure, with wind-blown hair and a smile into the sunlight.  In all, the boat turned out to be a pretty good investment, because Frodo did learn to sail, and he devoted many hours and reaped worlds of pleasure, which was what life was supposed to be in the "Big Easy."

Eventually, the purveyors of Mount Doom called Frodo to another assignment in a far-off place.  While there, he was held as a prisoner-of-war (and John McCain thought he had it rough, have you, dear reader, ever been to Philadelphia?).  Sam remained behind for a period of time, taking care of certain business interests, and Frodo's sailboat sat, tethered to the back door, with no one to guide her bow to the wind.  That is, until an alien object captured the proper barometric pressure and developed a meterological happening. 

Hurricanes are something that wise people take seriously.  One out of ten may actually threaten life and limb, so many people, particularly those who give little thought to the morrow, do not pay them proper homage.  Sam is not such an individual.  Sam was very concerned about what to do in the event that the coming storm should strike with no Frodo at home.  Sam used the telecommunications channel to correspond with the enslaved insurgent in Philadelphia, seeking guidance in the event of high water, and the need to seek safer clime.  Frodo, unwisely as he now recalls, pointed out to Sam that there was a sailboat in the backyard, and it would be a good idea for Sam to tie the boat by rope through the second-story window.

"The second story," screamed Sam.  "You want me, and two canines, to clamber out a window into a styrofoam boat, and to just fly magically to some mountaintop in Tennessee?"

Frodo, as noted previously, quickly realized the folly of his suggestion.  Sam's position was that Frodo should get his butt back by nightfall, in his motorcar, and transport all that was precious in his life, with or without time off for good behavior, even if he had to scale a prison wall. 

Frodo noted the wisdom of Sam's position.

Fortunately, the hurricane shifted far to the West, and struck the coast of Texas, thereby presenting no danger to any civilized life form.

Shortly thereafter Frodo returned to the City of Orleans to combine Sam, Prissy and Gumbo (canine associates of that era), and requisite provisions into a single family unit again.  The "Kool" sailboat was still tethered to the back door, and the chapter in Frodo's life that neglected responsibility came to an end as the motorcar crossed the I-10 Bridge.   

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 10:30 PM EDT

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Mood:  incredulous

George Preston Marshall was the owner of a team in the newly-formed National Football League.  Washington, D.C., home of the "Redskins" was also the southernmost location of any franchise in the league, and in the early days of professional sports in America realistically reflected the land as it was.  When Marshall died, his Last Will and Testament included a paragraph declaring that no subsequent owner of the Redskins could employ a "Negro" as a player.  It was not until the late All-American Ernie Davis of Syracuse was drafted that any "Negro" was ever associated with the "Redskins."  Davis was promptly traded to the Cleveland "Browns" in exchange for "Lightning Leroy Jackson" and the great sidekick to Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell.  These were the first men, "Negroes" if you will, to play professional football and be telecast on the black-and-white medium into homes in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and other points southern.  The "Redskins" were the last team to employ a "Negro" as a player. 

Bobby Mitchell is today an executive for the Washington "Redskins."  Lightning Leroy's whereabouts are not presently known to Frodo.  Ernie Davis tragically died of leukemia before he ever played a game.

Frodo has gotten on this point for a less than obvious reason.  Tonight, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) will accept the nomination of the Democratic Party to be the next President of the United States.  If successful in his quest, he will be the first person of African descent, a "Negro," to be selected to preside over any western nation.  The acceptance, and his subsequent speech, will take place in Denver, Colorado, home of the Denver "Broncos," a competing franchise in the National Football League.  It was against the Denver "Broncos" that a graduate of Grambling State College and University named Doug Williams led the Washington "Redskins" to a commanding victory in the Super Bowl.  Williams became the first "Negro" to quarterback a National Football League team to victory in a Super Bowl.   The touchdown passes completed, and the total yardage remain as all-time records in a Super Bowl.

Tonight, in Denver, Barack Obama becomes Doug Williams.  His mere presence means something to every inhabitant of Middle Earth.  The fact that he will take center stage, and lead his team to victory, will mean something that historians will chronicle and dissect long after the dust has settled.  Just as Williams survived the onslaught of the "Orange Crush" defense, so will Obama avoid the "Red State" blitz.

Frodo removes the Ring from his finger, and magically appears, running downfield like Gary Clark, wide open, as Aragorn unleashes a long pass in his direction.

"Hail to the Redskins."  God Bless America.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:14 PM EDT

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Mood:  special

Neil Diamond starts one of his most famous songs with "a hot August night," and then he warbles into the traveling salvation show of "Brother Love."  Americans, Frodo supposes, have always enjoyed being stirred up by somebody capable of winding their stems, and this night was no exception.  As Frodo and Sam sat before the black-and-white together, contemplating the fewest of days before the final confrontation with Sauron, the stage was set for the last grand entry of American nobility.  Frodo stood, for one minute and fifteen seconds, saying nothing, simply waiting for the applause to end.  Pity it is, that it must.

Bruce Springsteen has always had a habit of wrapping unforgettable words around unintelligible lyrics, and if we weren't "dancing in the dark," then we "walked the streets of Philadelphia."  More than anything else though, United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) can be characterized in Springsteens' "running against the wind."  The time for populist reform always seemed to be a tide that met Kennedy head-on, and his battles, with an amazing number of victories, were classical studies in political cooperation.  Reviled by many, for apparent cause, he did not let any of that deter him from the principles which guided his brothers before him.

Frodo always looked upon Senator Kennedy and his family as bearers of the "gold star."  He, indeed, received much.  He also lost a hell of a lot.  Middle Earth is richer because of the path he trod.  It has made all the difference.  Frodo pays homage to the "gold star."

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 10:18 PM EDT

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Mood:  surprised

It was innocent enough, all the speculation taking place, but Frodo has to honestly admit that he had absolutely no idea that a Democrat was the Congressional Representative for "Barney" Bush and his fellow residents at America's answer to Abu Ghraib.  Representaive Chet Edwards was identified yesterday as a contender for the Vice Presidency because of his long-standing and superior performance, and Frodo nearly popped an aorta.  To imagine that Frodo would be theoretically forced to choose between John McCain and Mitt Romney paired against someone from a town called Whacko, in Texas, would simply fall beyond the scope of credibility. 

Perhaps the Hillary Clinton supporters weren't so far off-base after all.

Countless hours in front of the black-and-white left Frodo with nothing more than a promise that he would eventually receive a text message on his cellular telephone.  As the night wore on, Frodo found himself pacing back-and-forth hoping that reason would prevail, and that Barack Obama would select someone, anyone, who would not automatically be excluded from Frodo's consideration.  As the Texan John Nance Garner once said, the job of Vice President is not worth a "warm bucket of spit."  Frodo happens to believe that about any and all Texans.

Frodo began to consider the cost of building a wall.

Suddenly Frodo sprang up, peering at the digital clock.  He had slept, and had missed his text message.  When the black-and-white came into focus he noted the news anchor holding up one of those scummy New York tabloids which read "It's Joe."

There is a God.

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:21 PM EDT

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Mood:  silly

"Senator McCain, Town-Hall Meeting Attendee Frodo here, how are you this evening?"

"Good, I'm glad to here that Sir.  You know at your age you need to be careful, and as we all know, it seems like most people seem to die in close proximity to their birthday.  Your birthday is coming up in about a week, isn't it?"

"Well Senator, all of that aside, I guess we can't let this evening pass without asking about those seven houses, with an approximate value of $14M, that you couldn't seem to ennumerate for that reporter from Politico.Com."

"Yessir, I cetainly agree, reporters do tend to dwell on the less important issues.  In any event Sir, I'm sure that the audience out there in TV land would like to know more than what they have heard from those worthless media types.  Sir, how many of those houses are located in either Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, New Hampshire, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, or Iowa?"

"Okay, if you would have your staff get back to us on that, it would be appreciated.  You know that many of the voters in those "swing states" might find it curious that you seek their votes and portray yourself as one of them, when you pay property taxes in seven states, but in none of theirs, don't you Sir?"

"Oh, sure, I understand.  It is understandable that one of those houses does need to be in Arizona, whom you represent in the Senate, and another has to be in the DC Suburbs of Virginia, but I'm curious about the place in San Diego, as well as the getaway in the Hamptons?"

"Yessir, that makes perfect sense, but haven't you thought about picking up a couple of pieces of property that are in foreclosure?  I mean, wow, you can really get some good deals in places like North Dakota, or South Carolina."

"Oh yeah, good point, it might look bad for you to take advantage of economic events brought about by a Republican Presidency, Congress, and a Right-leaning Judiciary, wouldn't it?"

"Well Senator, thank you very much for explaining why you have trouble even counting how many houses you own.  And while you're at it, could you explain to me how those scanners work in the grocery store?"

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:03 PM EDT

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Mood:  celebratory

Frodo is a frequent visitor at The Book Exchange in Marietta, GA.  He mentions this not as a "plug" in behalf of a small, but growing, business, although he is enamored of the pluck shown by the owner, but because it is the source of his personal pledge to read at least one book by everybody.  From Tom Clancy to Victor Hugo, Frodo mixes mood and opportunity in order to select used copies at greatly reduced prices.

Frodo is keenly aware of the fact that, like Sam, he could go to the extensive and impressive public library system and select books for free.  However, Frodo doesn't like being put on waiting lists, or waiting in line while some overweight Republican commences a discussion about the latest book on Oprah's reading list.  Frodo does not care about Oprah's reading list.  Frodo knows what he wants when he sees it, and planning has little attraction to a Hobbit wrestling with Gollum.

As stated previously, Frodo admires the ownership of the little used-book store.  The owner has regular visitations by authors, albeit most of them are ladies who write books that would make Frodo blush.  She also has read a lot of books which Frodo has not, and she is not sanguine about an opinion or two noting that some authors write like others, and Frodo "might like" this-or-that author.  Recently, Sam paid a visit to the shop and happened to mention Frodo to the owner.  Since Frodo had never introduced himself by name, the owner struggled trying to imagine exactly which of her customers would actually be a Hobbit.  Before Sam departed, Sam made a comment in support of Barack Obama, and was informed by the owner that she would be serving as a "hostess" again at the Democratic Convention.  For the second time, she would travel to the Democratic Convention and serve as a "guide" to press and politico alike.  She told Sam that she and a friend had rented a small house in Denver, and that they were calling it their "Obama Cabana."

Frodo made a point of driopping by during his lunch hour the next day.  As he stood at the cash register he remarked about the upcoming visit to Denver.  The startled owner tried desperately to figure out how this customer had any idea about her personal plans, and it was not until he remarked about Sam that she put two-and-two together.  Frodo, as he exited, again wished her well, and told her to wear a "white carnation" so that Frodo could have all the Hobbits watch for the owner of The Book Exchange.  It was her tactical error to laugh and to tell Frodo that she painted her toenails like "little American flags" while on duty at events such as the Convention.

So, dear reader, look for the smiling lady with the short blonde haircut, with toenails painted like "little American Flags," and amaze your friends by telling them that she owns a bookstore frequented by the Hobbit himself.

Do you think she might knock 5% off Frodo's next purchase?  

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 9:32 PM EDT

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Mood:  lazy

So, asks Frodo, is this guy Phelps the greatest athlete in the world?  Actually, says Frodo to himself, that is not terribly different from asking if George W. Bush is truly the worst of all Presidents.  The distinction between the two questions is that we all know the answer to the latter.  Mr. Phelps, ever since he decided to accept this assignment, has drawn the admiration, if not the adulation, of the host-Chinese, the American Basketball Team, and every mother who ever inflated water wings for a toddler.  The achievement behind eight gold medals won by a single individual needs only to be compared to the fact that Phelps has won more medals than all but eight countries competing in this years' Olympiad.  Still, Frodo thinks back to moments not forgotten when Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, Edwin Moses, Althea Gibson or Wilma Rudolph won medals that did not involve either a Speedo or water temperatures.

There will always be reminders of great individual events, involving a Jesse Owens, or an Ice Hockey Team pulling off an improbable upset.  Frodo remembers a nameless marathoner entering the stadium in Mexico City, stumbling, falling, but desperately trying to finish, and the whole world watching as the human body began to separate itself from the determination of the human mind.  The will, if you will, is the story behind the story in moments such as these.  That is why Frodo watches, and listens.

Many years ago, Frodo introduced a black man to a potential employer.  The job was in America, the employer was Asian.  When the employer decided not to hire the young man, he tried to explain his thinking to Frodo, and he said something like this:  "Mr. Frodo, he is black, and I am yellow.  It is difficult for me to say that it may seem strange to our customers that he would call as our representative.  I know it is wrong.  It is only business."

Frodo thought of that as he watched the crowds around Kobe Bryant, all wanting his autograph, his picture, to touch him.  Every business in the world would love to have Kobe Bryant endorse their product.  It would seem as if things have really changed on our small, blue planet, haven't they?  So it would seem.

Frodo votes for Jim Thorpe.  Look it up dear reader, he was indeed the "greatest athlete in the world," (1912 in Stockholm) but they took his medals away.  Using the same rules today, Kobe Bryant would be stripped of his medal, too.  Rules, like swimwear, change over time.  Better it was, thinks Frodo, when the athletes did not cloak themselves at all.

Probably got a little chilly though.   

Posted by loveysdaddyga at 10:36 PM EDT

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