The Bubbha’s Frontporch

I ain’t getting any younger. None of us are. So why must we endure the slow turning of the oil-deprived wheel of progress any longer? It is because that’s just the way it is…its the way its always been? Answer: Yes. But maybe if we understand it more thoroughly we could overcome our anger? Answer: No. I think what pisses me off is out of date replies and/or implications that are perpetuated in the media. Take for instance the Leslie Stahl interview of Al Gore on 60 minutes last night. She asked him to respond to the fact that there are many out there who still deny that global warming is man made. Gore says hardly anyone says that anymore. And she replies that there are some major characters out there, such as the vice-president who doesn’t think its been proven yet. Al Gore just laughed and said, “You mean Dick Chaney?” He then went on to equate Chaney with people who believe in a staged moon landing and the flat earthers. It was a good answer for a politician. The thing that is a detriment in this scenario is that Stahl felt it was necessary, in some sort of unbiased news reporting, to even have to ask the question. So is it that she’s dumb enough to think that the validity of scientific evidence on this matter is still in doubt? Or does she want to appear unbiased to her peers, so is compelled to ask the question? Either way that fact that she asked Mr. Gore and it was broadcast displays to other reporters that are working their way up the media ladder that: When interviewing someone about global warming you must bring up the fact that others [oil soaked politicians/corporate vampires] still think that the “jury’s still out.” So Thank You Leslie Stahl for ensuring that my grandchildren will be asking me where I stand on the global warming issue.

Half mast or half staff? It was this quandary that dominated my thought processes during tonight’s quest for stamps. Yes, I know why should one need stamps in this day and age, especially one who seems to have his finger on the pulse of technology? Well, first off if you really think that about me then you have no idea who I am. Secondly, I thoroughly enjoy mailing via the U.S. Postal Service. I enjoy writing out the address on the envelop, sealing it, buying the stamps, and driving around town looking for blue R2D2 shaped mailboxes in random places. It gives me an excuse to get out of the house and explore. I think there’s something primal in me that responds to this.

But on this night it was the question posed at the beginning of this post that weighed heavily upon me. Is there ever full-staff or total-mast? There’s a Flagstaff. (Actually there are several Flagstaffs. The one in Arizona is named after a flagpole that a city grew around. Apparently much like a seed, one need only to plant a flagpole) Which brings up a thought. It seems like it’s called a flagpole when the flag is gone or at the top. NEVER…EVER…say half-flagpole.

I’m purposefully not looking up the answer, because honestly this isn’t the first time I’ve thought about this. I’m sure I looked it up on the internet and thought, “Oh.” But it doesn’t seem to stick. So I’m going to come up with a rational based theory and much like anything that you work out yourself it will probably stick with me. My mind is getting soft due to the reliance I have on Google and Wikipedia….oh yeah and internet porn.

Half-mast refers to the mast of a ship. Oftentimes there’s a flag flying up there somewhere depending on the mood of the country. The country has been crabby here lately. I know it’s strange to refer to the country like it’s a person, but if you must, then think of the country as Andy Rooney. I’d like to get back to somewhere around Kelly Pickler. Half-staff refers to a staff or a stake that’s been stuck in the ground. Ergo, half-mast is over water and half-staff is over land. If you care at all you’ll look this up. If you don’t, then I hope you were entertained reading this post. Good night.

Other items on my mind tonight: Full lunar eclipse & Navy waving it’s dick around to the rest of the world by swatting a satellite with it.