Omniscient Waffles

From the Rhodium-Plated Igloo of S. MacCune

The Right Reverend of the Church of the Latter Day Dude (Reformed)

Pinch-hitting for your regular contributor today.  Apparently he is too engrossed with Sinclair Lewis’ “It Can’t Happen Here” to bother posting.  Not sure if he is more focused on the portrayal of small-town Vermont life in the 1930s or the whole “rise of fascism in America” bit.  Probably both…in equal measure.

Personally, I believe we wouldn’t be facing these extremely related challenges today if we had elected Senator Fred Harris in ’76.   Mark my words, with the populist left-but-understands-DC Harris, Reagan would never have been elected in ’80.  Of course GHW Bush might have emerged victorious in ’84 and ’88, and the timeline could have re-set itself.  Our universe is only so elastic when it comes to alternative histories, never mind what the physicists say about infinite possibilities.  They are all highly degreed clods angling for that sweet, sweet grant money or a TV gig.  Never forget that.

Since we are on the topic of Conventional Wisdom, don’t for a minute accept the belief that electoral slates can’t be shattered; they are as fragile and ephemeral as Meatloaf’s protagonist’s promises in “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”  I’m no expert on Howard County affairs, but if a primary electorate is focused on booting one candidate in favor of someone they perceive to be a better alternative, it doesn’t matter if she or he is on Team Bees-Knees.  She or he is going to get got – so long as Candidate B has sufficient resources, the right platform, the will, and the moment behind her or him.  And if Candidate A is weak(er) in one or more of those areas, like Detroit Tigers radio legend Ernie Harwell used to say, she or he might find themselves standing there “like a house by the side of the road…” wondering what happened.

Trust me, I know a thing or two about insurgents.  I did some work in Central America in the early 80s…but never mind, I can tell from his readership stats that you favor posts about Board of Education members who go off the rails or County Council shenanigans.   

Just know this, anyone who claims to have all of the answers is a liar, a fool, or probably both…in equal measure.

Stay tuned, etc…