Leap Day

Today, February 29 is of course a very significant day in our calendar, occurring only once every 4th year (exept for turn of the century years). While this "extra day" has some astronomical or perhaps astrological meaning, there are many more personal reasons to celebrate Leap Day.

For example, there used to be a "tradition"of sorts where for one day it was acceptable for women to ask men to get married (remember Sadie Hawkins from L'il Abner?). This appears laughable today where few get married anyway (even expectant parents) and even fewer men get on bended knee to ask for a lady's hand. Not much call for turnabout one day per year.

But for TNB, the best thing about Leap Day is that it always signifies that we're in the middle of a presidential campaign where quality candidates sparkle with ideas and make the average citizen proud of being an American.

Wait a minute--this is hardly happening this Leap Year as far as the contending GOP candidates are concerned. Just in the past week, we've seen Rick Sanctimonius (I mean Santorum) tell a bunch of Tea Party blue collar types that President Obama is an elite snob who wants to force everyone to (gasp!) get a college education so that liberal professors can remake every voter's child in Obama's image. This seems to be a stretch on several fronts, as you can imagine.

Then Mitt Romney tried to connect with ordinary people by disclosing that his wife drove 2 Cadillacs and also that while knowing (or caring) little about Nascar, he was a friend of some team owners. You thought maybe the drivers?

And on and on. It's getting so discouraging that TNB is longing for the next three years, when there's no Leap Day and no presidential race. Truth be told--TNB is quite happy to be an elite snob.

The Secret Agenda

So now that it's February, it appears that the Republican flavor-of-the-month appears to be, of all people Rick Santorum. This surprising turn of events of course evidences the profound dislike many Republicans feel toward the vapid Mitt Romney, probably the least exciting presidential candidate since Al Gore. In case you hadn't heard, Santorum has unwittingly given his name to the latest urban slang word, which delicately can be defined as relating to certain byproducts of anal sex. Since the former Pennsylvania Senator is well known for his homophobia, it was only "natural" that some people (certainly not TNB) thought this might provide an obscene but accurate depiction of him.

Of much more significance to the campaign, Santorum has claimed that if (the Lord be cursed!) President Obama is reelected to a second term, he will finally roll out the "secret agenda" he was been saving for the time that he no longer will need to worry about running for office. Of course, since Santorum is not allowed (!) to reveal the secret, it is up to TNB to relate just what Sen. Rick fears so much, which no doubt will also frighten you.

• All religions except Islam will be abolished


• Kenya will become the 51st state


• The U.S. Capital will move to Chicago (why not--it's more centrally located)


• All Republicans will be forced to practice contraception

Actually, the last point, if heeded, might result in fewer Rick Santorums being produced.

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Personal Note-- TNB bids a sad farewell to Lynda Kramer, who with her husband Marshall, intoduced TNB and Mrs. TNB some 53 years ago. Lynda passed away in Florida recently at the young age of 73. Lynda was one of the most devoted readers of The Normal Blog and actually agreed with TNB 98% of the time. Here's a hope that, wherever she is, Lynda is continuing to enjoy all the blogs and books that she so voraciously read.