It’s called Decorum, and any honorable leader should practice it
Politics
Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, “Stop! Don’t do it!”.
“Why shouldn’t I?” he said.
I said, “Well, there’s so much to live for!”
“Like what?”
“Well, are you religious or atheist?”
“Religious.”
“Me too! Are your Christian or Buddhist?”
“Christian.”
“Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?”
“Protestant.”
“Me too! Are your Episcopalian or Baptist?”
“Baptist!”
“Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?”
“Baptist Church of God!”
“Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?”
“Reformed Baptist Church of God!”
“Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?”
“Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!”
I said, “Die, heretic scum!” and pushed him off.
Two things bring this joke to mind. First, and most often, it so wonderfully illustrates the reasoning behind my derision at sub-sub-sub-sub-sects of religions. Second, and more relevant recently, it is a close analogy to the situation where I find someone who agrees with me on 99.99% of matters with regard to [safer sex, consent, religion, politics, etc] but the 0.01% that we disagree on drive a bigger wedge between us than almost any other disagreement might.
I think it needs more bologna
Thanks, Gene!
Announcing the Affordable Boat Act
The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: “The Affordable Boat Act” declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new boat, by April 2026. These “affordable” boats will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000 each. This does not include taxes, trailers, towing fees, licensing and registration fees, fuel, docking and storage fees, maintenance or repair costs.
This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase boats. This new laws ensures that every American can now have an “affordable” boat of their own, because everyone is “entitled” to a new boat. If you purchase your boat before the end of the year, you will receive 4 “free” life jackets; not including monthly usage fees.
In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable boat, the costs of owning a boat will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don’t want or can’t afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can’t afford to maintain their boat will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can use their parents’ boats to party on until they turn 27; then must purchase their own boat.
If you already have a boat, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you can’t). If you don’t want or don’t need a boat, you are required to buy one anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can’t afford one, you will be regularly fined $800 until you purchase one or face imprisonment.
Failure to use the boat will also result in fines. People living in the
desert; ghettos; inner cities or areas with no access to lakes are not exempt. Age, motion sickness, experience, knowledge, and lack of desire are not acceptable excuses for not using your boat.
A government review board (that doesn’t know the difference between the port, starboard or stern of a boat) will decide everything, including; when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your boat along with how many people can ride in your boat and determine if one is too old or healthy enough to be able to use their boat. They will also decide if your boat has out lived its usefulness or if you must purchase specific accessories, (like a $500 compass) or a newer and more expensive boat.
Those that can afford yachts will be required to do so…it’s only fair. The government will also decide the name for each boat. Failure to comply with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.
Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a boat, they and their families can obtain boats free, at the expense of taxpayers. Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt.
Back when we had some real leadership
In January 2009, at a time of deep political division and economic crisis, an unparalleled meeting occurred in the Oval Office. Outgoing President George W. Bush invited his successor, Barack Obama, and all living former presidents—Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—for a private lunch.
The resulting photograph is more than a collection of famous faces; it is a powerful lesson in American democracy. Five men, whose campaigns and policies had often placed them in direct opposition, sat together as custodians of a single, enduring office. They represented nearly four decades of national leadership, embodying the principle that political power is temporary, but the republic is permanent.
President-elect Obama later reflected that the meeting was a humbling reminder of being “part of something bigger than ourselves.” This gathering, unique in its spirit of camaraderie at a moment of transition, stands in stark contrast to the partisan battles that define so much of political life. It captures a rare and essential truth: that the peaceful transfer of power is the ultimate triumph of the system they all served.
