What A Great Country

Americans are always reminded every July 4th of all of the great things about our country, from our unparalleled freedoms to our stable governments to our abundant resources (if we don't waste them). But what really makes us great is how we can weather some amazingly bizarre behavior. For instance:

• Apparently over a million people wanted tickets to the upcoming spectacle also known as the memorial to Michael Jackson. There's nothing better to do? They can't be all unemployed, can they? Why such a public honor for someone who despite his incredible talent had really serious character flaws? Bob Herbert, a respected African-American columnist for The New York Times just last week described Michael as a pedophile who settled for $25 million a lawsuit the facts of which "would make your hair stand on end". This is a different case than the criminal matter for which a starstruck California jury (see O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake) acquitted him. It disgusts TNB that so much attention is lavished on this misguided soul while soldiers, firefighters, policemen and others who give their lives to protect us are ignored. What a great country!
• Is there yet another governor afflicted with terminal weirdness? First there was Eliot Spitzer, then Rod Blagojevich and very recently Mark Sanford. Now comes the (for the time being) the new champ--Sarah Palin. Right after John McCain, to his eternal regret, plucked her from obscurity she has been a polarizing but sort of fascinating individual. More than most politicians, she represented and exemplified the great mass of Americans who think with their heart and believe there's a simple answer to everything (if she could only remember what that answer is). Sort of like those who would travel across the country for Michael Jackson's funeral. Now it turns out that for reasons unexplained (at least in some form of the English language) she's quitting as Alaska's governor. If she really disappears from the national scene (don't bet on it) it will be devastating for comedians and TNB, among others. Or maybe we'll elect her the next President. What a great country!