Odd Definition of Boring

According to Nicholas Kristof, the negative side of President Obama's agriculture focus in aiding Africa is that it's boring.

Wow.

Finding ways to help a struggling nation thrive with their resources is boring.

Constantly delivering tons of food and supplies is glamorous.

That's messed up.

What Sophistication Isn't

"How could an illiterate man, newly released from bondage, produce such a work of sophisticated satire?" the journalists ask.

Ummm

Neither literacy nor freedom is part of the definition of sophistication.

So, why are you surprised a former slave could dictate such wit?

Leave the Statue

I had heard the name Joe Paterno, but frequently confused it Rick Pitino, the college basketball coach. I had never even seen him before the Sandusky Scandal.

My introduction JoePa's philosophy came by way of an article in the Wall Street Journal. In 2007, almost 24 players stormed an apartment with the intent of beating the living daylights out of its occupants. Six were eventually charged.

If you break into an apartment with the purpose of seriously injuring the people who are there,

and you get caught,

doesn't integrity say you accept and suffer the consequences of your actions?

Yet JoePa preferred to have the team spend two hours picking up trash after a game. It seems he did not want the players to be held legally accountable; he certainly didn't want them to miss any game time.

I was confused. What integrity were they crowing about when people spoke of Joe Paterno? Because if his definition of integrity did not include being responsible for the consquences for your actions, then what definition was he using?

Based on the Freeh report, Paterno knew what Sandusky did. With this being my only exposure to his philosophy, I was not surprised.

Nonetheless, his statue should stay.

His legacy is now an example of the chasm between what we seek to be and what we are. Let his statue remind us to continue striving to shrink that gap.

Not Black Enough

There's a beautiful soft flower sculpture outside of San Francisco City Hall. I surmised it is part of an exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. (The exhibit runs from May 18 - September 2.) A woman asked about the sculpture, and I told her my discovery. As we walked toward BART, she said (1),

I've noticed there's a lot of celebration of Asians' contributions here, but not a lot of recognition of African-Americans'.

Oh. I hadn't noticed that.

I understand having a month to celebrate, but through September? That's just too long.

Well, it looks like a museum exhibit. I think that's normal time frame for exhibits.

I don't think we get enough recognition.

There's an African American museum.

And where is the African American museum?

Well, there's the African Diaspora Museum on 2^nd…

(I didn't know exactly where the Africa-American museum was, but I'd been to the Diaspora one.)

It's just too much.

What about Picasso? Um, the D'Orsay? When they came to Legion of Honor it ran from October? through January? (2)

That's different. That's a person.

No, the D'Orsay was a collection. But I see your point, I finished, as we parted ways.

Seriously? You complain about Asians being recognized while walking in front of the Asian Art Museum? In San Francisco? Where Angel Island was the Ellis Island of the West, ushering many Chinese into California?

I'm not saying African Americans didn't play a prominent role in the city (the Fillmore district comes to mind), or that more recognition isn't warranted. But there's been a significant Asian presence in San Francisco since Gold Rush days. It should not be minimized.

This is why some folks don't think I'm black enough.

(1) Not verbatim, of course. My memory's not that good. <snort> My memory's not good at all.

(2) Yea, I know I have the details wrong. But you get the gist, yea?

Dog is my Co-Pilot

Is a bumper sticker in response to God is my Co-Pilot, which is assumed to be a Christian thing.

It's not, really. Christians know that God is the Pilot and we are sitting in first class, sipping a nice Riesling and/or eating a pudding pop.

Of course, this doesn't stop us from going into the cockpit. Or rather, taking a long time to leave. We're easily deluded by the notions a) we are in control and b) we know what we're doing. We think we're impressive with all the buttons we push and switches we flip.

God is patient. Though He can only do so much when while we're in the cock pit, he doesn't throw us out. He waits for us to leave on our own.

If your Dog is my Co-Pilot sticker is an attempt to be anti-Christian, well. . .you're not really succeeding on that front. But hey. It's a cool bumper sticker. And dogs do have a good sense of direction, so, you know. It's all good.