Ramblings

The only connection between the matters discussed below are that they show ever more unpleasant facets of the human condition:

• About 150 years ago (when the U.S. population was 31 million) famous showman P.T. Barnum was credited with saying "a sucker is born every minute". In today's terms (with 310 million Americans) that would translate to "a sucker is born every 6 seconds" which seems just about accurate. How else to explain how many suckers exist to fall for every conceivable type of fraud--from the "sophisticated" investors who without question or diligence gave Bernie Madoff and other mini-Madoffs their fortunes to the less wordly who are or were involved in all sorts of absurd get rich quick schemes ("earn $200,000 from your home!") to the unfortunate and desperate who fall prey to dangerous fad diet claims and other impossible cures for various ailments? The bearded lady and other phony acts in Barnum's old carnivals were harmless bits of entertainment for yesteryear's suckers compared to what goes on in modern society.
• Is there any country in the "developed world" more ridiculous and hypocritical when it comes to sex and commercialism than the U.S.? While our courts devote precious time to decide whether Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" or fleeting obscenities uttered by celebrities are punishable offenses (?), the airwaves are polluted with not-so-subtle commercials about erectile dysfunction cures (don't you love the couple sitting outside apparently naked in side by side old bathtubs?) or K-Y petroleum jelly, etc. These aren't obscene? TNB, certainly no prude, is actually most amused by the several spots where young couples (no need for Cialis) breathe rather heavily in public until inevitably an old biddy says "get a room". It turns out that the commercial is for a furniture company pushing ROOM additions. Sex sells.
• Speaking of suckers, who exactly watches "reality shows" like the upcoming "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here"? Successor to a long line of quality television productions like "The Biggest Loser" (actually the viewer), "I Married My Niece" (OK, TNB made this one up) and others, the new show, set to debut in June, will feature Z-list "celebs" like Patti Blagojevich (Mrs. Rod) eating insects and doing other gross out things while on location in the Costa Rican jungle. Mr. Rod was not allowed to participate by the Federal judge overseeing his criminal case who strangely didn't trust the Smiling Serb to return to Chicago for trial. This judge obviously doesn't appreciate what TV viewers will be missing.

Corrections-- A sharp eyed reader noticed that both Arlen Specter and Jim Cramers's surnames were misspelled in the last post which was, you may recall, was entitled "Pathetic" which is how TNB feels about such errors. But please keep reading and sending in your comments, both positive and critical.