 "I speak truth to power." Said one famous CBS anchorman. Yes, anchorman Dan, as a response to Memogate. Dan Rather at his rather best a couple or so years back.
And then, more recently, Barbara Boxer, a senator from California, speaking said truth to power, utilized as a defense for unkind words earlier spoken concerning something said about United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice never having children... or some such.
I guess Senator Boxer's comment did it. I had to know. From where did this insipid, stupid saying come? I've heard it so much over the past few years. I crack up (that's bowl over with laughter for those who don't speak American) every time I hear it said.
Seriously, everytime I see it in print as said by someone or as, on occasion hear it spoken on TV, radio... I find it funny. How petulant! Silly. I picture Yosemite Sam, hat down, long white mustache out, shotgun-waving shouting, "I speak truth to power! B. Bunny replies, "What's up doc?" Daffy Duck is in there somewhere.
Or Nathan Hale. Or Chevy Chase as
N. Hale, on Saturday Night Live. Not. "Give me liberty or give me death", but, "I speak truth to power!" as he stumbles, pratfalls, Gerald Ford like into a hangman's noose.
Turns out the "truth to power" thing, gig, if one will, is relatively new. From what I read it came along in the mid 1950s and had to do with some pacifist thinking by some Quakers. No long lasting history there. But, no newness either, nor particular enlightenment to be gained from its genesis by those who so often now parrot it.
And, Nathan Hale, only in the above for convenience of the story. Nathan did die by the hangman's noose for his beliefs. He was only 21 at the time. A man who did say, as quoted now, "I regret that I have only one life to lose for my country." It was Patrick Henry who earlier said, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry lived to age 63, had a few children and survived.
I ask, could either of these noble men have ever said, "I speak truth to power!" without giggling?
Price of Gas (United States). I read that the price of gasoline in the U.S. has gone down to about $2.20 a gallon, one place somewhere it was advertised at $1.98. Obviously this means that "big oil has had a collective 'road to Damascus' experience, the owners of big oil (the people... investors, pension fund managers?) have seen the error of their greedy ways, forsaken sin and reformed. Or maybe the laws of supply and demand have worked their own miracles. Okay, could be that Dick Cheney and George Bush have something up their sleeves. I admit. (Full disclosure: I once was a court appointed trustee for a partnership in Texas that owned interests in 8 oil wells; also I know how to spell Halliburton-two l's).
Global Warming. Getting serious. I read where 2,500 United Nations scientists are agreed. Going to be a damn serious situation by the year 2100. Also, I read some scientists are concerned that there may be some over-emphasis from an alarmist's standpoint right now. Who to believe? First, does the UN really have 2500 scientists? Must be counting a lot on the payroll outside that building in New York City. Also, how many are really concerned? I mean really, really concerned?
I'm certainly concerned. Well, I confess... being selfish... maybe not so much. After all, I'm past 60 years old. I probably saw my only millennium celebration 6 years ago. If the oceans again reach past Macon, Georgia and exceed the gnat line again, gee I wish I could sun myself on Peachtree Street. Time wise, just don't think I'll make it though.
Isn't there something current to worry about? A war somewhere maybe? China shooting at satellites. A Muslim leader that wants to kill all the Jews? Blast Israel off the face of the earth. By nuclear means. (By the way, is that an old story... kill the Jews! Europeans, again, some others too, seem not to worry about this. Same song, second or third verse... or maybe the chorus.) Better that the EU get with the UN and solve that global warming problem. I think we need more concerned scientists on the payroll to really make it all work though. That's not both problems. The Jews can take care of their own selves. Global warming. Damn straight. The principal concern. Of all time.
Think. If we'd had the forsight to have 2,500 concerned scientists around in the year 1900, plus throw in a UN, the world could have concentrated on the climate instead of WWI, the depression, WWII, the Soviet problem, atom bombs, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, etc.
Malnutrition. In less developed areas (say most of Africa) malnutrition causes immune deficiency in a body. Malnutrition is not caused by sex. It is caused by bad diet that traces to lack of enough good water and food. Weakened people, the malnourished have sex. From this can be acquired a bad, killing disease. I suggest we give all global warmed concerned scientists a supply of condoms for life. My plan is to save the world for the year 2100.
Ukraine. Is presently dysfunctional. But, I like the country…meaning mostly the people. So I want to stay. I love the ignorance of the expat community. In this ignorance I must include myself. In somewhat of a defense of my lack of knowledge, I will say I never quote statistics from any source in Ukraine. Or out of it for that matter. I do study the country. Best I can. To no avail I think.
In the meantime, I take what I can from the country. From an enjoyment standpoint I mean.
I'm interested in tourism in this land. That's a basic industry that's doable for this country. Ukraine has a lot to offer. A few people are working on this. I drove over to Kolomyia on Old New Year's Eve and stayed over for Old New Year's day. I don't know where I stayed nor why. Anyway, I had a great time, met some interesting Ukrainians.
Incidentally, there was no snow, so the area I was in was not crowded. This allowed for a nice dinner in a very nice restaurant on Old New Year's Eve. Everywhere seemed booked, but this popular place had the misfortune to have allowed itself to be entirely booked by one group for the occasion. So, with no snow, the entire group cancelled.
Although I've traveled quite a bit in the Ivano-Frankivs'k area over the past few years, for the first time I spent a very short time in 'fabled' Yaremche. It reminded me slightly of Gatlinburg in 1955. But, there is hope there too, my thinking, given some thought and planning.
Going south from Burstyn on the road to Kalush about 10km I crossed an old bridge over the Dniester. The river at that point is water bank to bank (that is, each bank is flat away from the river which is fairly wide and fast flowing at that point). They're rebuilding the old bridge. Just past there a road (bad, but paved) leads 19 km to Halych on a 'main' roadway). While the river is seen only a couple of times, it's never far away. My guess is 25 to 30 km by river to Halych from a put out at the bridge.
An objective this spring and summer for me is to float and camp and fish along this wide, beautiful, stretch of river.
I will speak truth to power to the fish.
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