political satirist Barry Crimmins
The 29th of Forever Friday, February 29, 2008
Today's the day! It's the 24 hours we must pay to make up for trying to sneak out of the last four years several collective instants sooner. Best of all, it comes at the end of the "F" month at the end of the "W" season, not to mention the "W" presidency. Speaking of which, today is the calendric version of the taunt "bring it on!"
Today is an extra toll booth that comes when you already thought you'd gotten off the highway. It doesn't really make home any further away, it just makes you view it through the wrong end of the telescope. I don't know about how your seasonal trudge has gone, but around here Old Man Winter been uniquely miserable. He arrived days before Thanksgiving and was fairly welcome through the holidays. We put him on the porch in early January and there he's loomed ever since.
Rather than simply dump copious amounts of snow, that at least serves as protective padding, Winter .07.08 has specialized in ice. Except for a very brief January thaw, we've been laminated in treacherous frozen stuff since December. This presents a challenge that can't be beaten with just a good attitude and a pair of snowshoes. Ice is a prohibitive substance. It makes you think twice about everything. "Should I really go up the driveway, just to get the mail?" The answer is "no." When you do go out, the shortest distance between you and the emergency room is traversed most quickly by trying to walk in a straight line. Careful zig-zagging is the way to go until the weather furnishes another heaping of snow that in turn provides at least some footing.
Eventually you give up and stay inside where, because you're a latter day intellectual, you read news from the net while you watch television. Massive exposure to conventional wisdom leads to a virulent cynicism that can only be remedied by warm breezes and blooming flower beds. Out of deference to T.S. Elliot and April, you put aside February's cruelty and instead consider its sarcasm, particularly when it comes replete with an extra day.
So today, this extra day of this crummy month is as welcome as:
A 300th Democratic Debate
Another Clinton alibi or allegation
Barack Obama clarifying his health plan one more time
More of the war John McCain has said he'd commit us to for another millennium
Mike Huckabee strapping on a bass to carve up Proud Mary with the Armadildos, the Holiday Inn house band in Uncle Larry, Tx
Yet another airing of the merciless "free credit report" pirate jingle
One more flippant remark from the smug drooler currently forcing us to serve out his second term
An all-star salute to all-star salutes
Anyone expressing obligatory and equally disingenuous devotion to "our troops."
The final chapter of HBO's The Wire -- a program that has consistently indicted hierarchies by reminding us that the fish always rots from the head.
Wolf Blitzer interviewing Lou Dobbs.
Lou Dobbs interviewing Wolf Blitzer.
Wolf Blitzer replaying his interview on the Lou Dobbs' show.
A forced march through Youngstown, Ohio
Any asshole celebrating the United States by telling us that elections are "uniquely American."
Pat Buchanan, the falsetto fascist still bitter about losing the Mr. Moose voiceover gig, repackaging his self-loathing as political analysis (and what's with sis Bay's new Farah Fawcett hairstyle?)
Footage of a celebrity in a body bag.
Footage of paparazzi surrounding a body bag.
Anyone who uses their status as a parent to try to amplify the importance of their dimwitted views
Breathless CNN reports accompanying actual footage of a dispute on a school bus.
Live coverage of sentencing hearings that lasts for more than thirty seconds
Ali Velshi in a cowboy hat
Keith Olberman proving for the three billionth time that Bill O'Reilly is in fact a dick. We fucking get it, Keith. Move along.
Or for that matter, the entire liberal blogosphere responding to the latest intentionally inflammatory stunt or statement by some reactionary troll. Talk about right-wing echo chambers!
In other words, February 29, 2008 is about as welcome as Dick Cheney at a baptism.
You get it so I'll move along.... very carefully.
Today is an extra toll booth that comes when you already thought you'd gotten off the highway. It doesn't really make home any further away, it just makes you view it through the wrong end of the telescope. I don't know about how your seasonal trudge has gone, but around here Old Man Winter been uniquely miserable. He arrived days before Thanksgiving and was fairly welcome through the holidays. We put him on the porch in early January and there he's loomed ever since.
Rather than simply dump copious amounts of snow, that at least serves as protective padding, Winter .07.08 has specialized in ice. Except for a very brief January thaw, we've been laminated in treacherous frozen stuff since December. This presents a challenge that can't be beaten with just a good attitude and a pair of snowshoes. Ice is a prohibitive substance. It makes you think twice about everything. "Should I really go up the driveway, just to get the mail?" The answer is "no." When you do go out, the shortest distance between you and the emergency room is traversed most quickly by trying to walk in a straight line. Careful zig-zagging is the way to go until the weather furnishes another heaping of snow that in turn provides at least some footing.
Eventually you give up and stay inside where, because you're a latter day intellectual, you read news from the net while you watch television. Massive exposure to conventional wisdom leads to a virulent cynicism that can only be remedied by warm breezes and blooming flower beds. Out of deference to T.S. Elliot and April, you put aside February's cruelty and instead consider its sarcasm, particularly when it comes replete with an extra day.
So today, this extra day of this crummy month is as welcome as:
A 300th Democratic Debate
Another Clinton alibi or allegation
Barack Obama clarifying his health plan one more time
More of the war John McCain has said he'd commit us to for another millennium
Mike Huckabee strapping on a bass to carve up Proud Mary with the Armadildos, the Holiday Inn house band in Uncle Larry, Tx
Yet another airing of the merciless "free credit report" pirate jingle
One more flippant remark from the smug drooler currently forcing us to serve out his second term
An all-star salute to all-star salutes
Anyone expressing obligatory and equally disingenuous devotion to "our troops."
The final chapter of HBO's The Wire -- a program that has consistently indicted hierarchies by reminding us that the fish always rots from the head.
Wolf Blitzer interviewing Lou Dobbs.
Lou Dobbs interviewing Wolf Blitzer.
Wolf Blitzer replaying his interview on the Lou Dobbs' show.
A forced march through Youngstown, Ohio
Any asshole celebrating the United States by telling us that elections are "uniquely American."
Pat Buchanan, the falsetto fascist still bitter about losing the Mr. Moose voiceover gig, repackaging his self-loathing as political analysis (and what's with sis Bay's new Farah Fawcett hairstyle?)
Footage of a celebrity in a body bag.
Footage of paparazzi surrounding a body bag.
Anyone who uses their status as a parent to try to amplify the importance of their dimwitted views
Breathless CNN reports accompanying actual footage of a dispute on a school bus.
Live coverage of sentencing hearings that lasts for more than thirty seconds
Ali Velshi in a cowboy hat
Keith Olberman proving for the three billionth time that Bill O'Reilly is in fact a dick. We fucking get it, Keith. Move along.
Or for that matter, the entire liberal blogosphere responding to the latest intentionally inflammatory stunt or statement by some reactionary troll. Talk about right-wing echo chambers!
In other words, February 29, 2008 is about as welcome as Dick Cheney at a baptism.
You get it so I'll move along.... very carefully.
