Calf Roped

By Ronald E. Hignight

OK! Enough already! All you wing nuts meeting at CPAC listen up! We are throwing in the towel. Hear us? You want smaller government and we are ready to deal! How small do you want this new government? Hell, let’s get with it and cut the whole shebang down by 2/3rds, what do you say? The lines may get a little long at Social Security but, what the hell, those lines are just full of old farts anyway. We will end up with a much thinner ‘green line’ (I’m not talking about ecology either, mind you; I’m talking military green), but, what the hell, we will just aim a whole load of missiles at everyone that ain’t American – that should protect us. We can turn 2/3rds of the military personnel back to work in our mighty industrial complex, right?

And, as I understand it, you don’t want to reform a damned thing, right? OK! Status quo it is. In fact, we will help you sell the idea that the current economic downturn is actually a myth started by elitist left wing liberals hell bent on destroying the U.S.! They are the ones that mysteriously caused the auto industry decline, wrecked our Wall Street, and persuaded bankers to engage in something almost like racketeering, right?

We need Dick Cheney! We want either Michele Bachman or Sarah Palin as his running mate. They both have outstanding credentials for running the most powerful nation on earth! And that could come into play as Cheney does have a small ailing heart, right? Who cares as long as he is strongly backed with ‘stick-to-it’ character. Or maybe, we might like to see Gov. Pawlenty because, in a pinch, he will just let God take over and run things. Now, I like the sound of that and am not really too curious just which God that is as long as it’s a God. And, of course, that couldn’t be the money God, right?

Let’s get it on. No more gaffing. Make Fox news the ministry of propaganda good information. Git’er done!

No, Chicken Little, The Sky is Not Falling

By Ronald E. Hignight

It all started with a general alarm, sounded by the people of pundits, that the American Dream was falling from the sky when the Supreme Court decision was rendered holding that corporations possessed a constitutional right of free speech akin to that of individuals. Next came Obama, who heaped a little scorn upon the Justices who made that constitutional determination (it’s their job to do so) based upon a poorly written political campaign law. It’s now being suggested that we prepare for our worst nightmare – a country run by “greedy rich people (who run corporations) participating in politics only to protect their individual interests.”

I would ask first – so, what is new? This country has always, except for brief unsuccessful periods of popularism, been run by the “greedy rich people participating in politics only to protect their individual interests.” So, what is new?

The ‘sky is falling’ mantra does not set well with me. I have a good public education; I can think for myself and I don’t seize upon any and every thing let by the press. When something of import comes up, I take the time to discern both sides of an issue and make up my own decision as to what I will support or not support. And, as for Madison Avenue, the joke is on them. I drink Budweiser for the taste, not for the company’s stylish and funny advertising.

It seems when others are projecting, that I will make poor voting decisions based upon the slick Madison Ave. presentations that will be offered by corporations, they demean me. It seems to me when they think so little of my ability to discern where a future salon’s interest lies; they think me stupid and in need of protection. Those who project the falling sky do not seem to think too much of my intelligence. Excuse me; I don’t need to be protected from information. Indeed, I don’t need to be protected from forecasts of doom; for, in fact, the sky is not falling, Chicken Littles.

Demise of Space Exploration

By Ronald E. Hignight

It was recently disclosed that, by way of Presidential Advisory Policy, a decision has been reached to set aside NASA’s Constellation program which had set a goal, among other things, to work towards establishing a manned lunar station. The program has been set aside in favor of a “Flexible Path” strategy calling for the development of technologies but not setting any particular goal or destination.

Flexible Path strategy may help NASA to become an ‘engine of innovation’, as urged by its new Administrator Charles Bolden; but, something has been lost. I do not abide with the former Administrator Michael Griffin’s statement that it is a ‘stupid strategy’ which is neither productive nor efficient; but, I do lament the loss of what space exploration seems to be all about – and that is, in a word, wonder.

I have always deemed myself lucky to have been born in a time when space travel came into being. I watched with utter fascination, the launch of Sputnik, America’s un-manned and manned flights and as our heroes flew the dark heavens ultimately visiting the Moon. I watched with pride as astronauts returned to Earth after meaningful and productive excursions in the Shuttles and was bedazzled by the new things uncovered by the space station and Hubble.

The ‘giant leap for mankind’ is as much a part of my psyche as any other incident of American citizenship. Exploration of space is, in my mind, clean; we no longer speak in terms of conquering space. Space exploration does not destroy while achieving its goals. Space travel and knowledge of the universe is something that everyone can take pride in achieving. It is always, and forever shall be, about wonder.

Without some firm goal or destination, I find it hard to find that feeling of wonderment. I know the ‘flexible path’ is expedient and that space exploration is terribly difficult to justify as against the domestic needs in our present economy. I do not doubt the need for change; but, I will lament the passing of the wonder spawned by our goal driven exploration of space.