A NATION'S "LEADERSHIP"--EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A NATION'S "LEADERSHIP"--EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
By Andy Weddington
Friday, 31 December 2010


"I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like had Moses run them through the U. S. Congress." 
                                                                                                                                                                       Ronald Reagan (40th President of the United States)


This the last day of 2010--how best to sum up the United States of America's 111th Congress?

It's a damn struggle.

Long ago I was taught the concept of the 'precision of language'--that is, though any language is terribly restrictive there are words that can best describe so as not to be misinterpreted. And along with that thought is the complement--never use two words when one will do and never use multiple syllable words when a single syllable word will do. And, by the way, the same thought process applies to painting--why use a dozen brush strokes when one will do?

Thinking back to that language lesson and groping for the perfect word or words for the 111th, "peculiar" first came to mind. But then I remembered a distinguished, respected college professor who once used a word to describe that which is particularly odd, deviate, and suspicious.

"Queer."

One word. One syllable. One "brushstroke".

Yes, that's it, the 111th Congress was queer.

And disappointingly so.

And it started with ramming a healthcare bill down the throat and up the--well, nevermind--of a revolting America.

With the 112th there is hope--for change; for the better.

Maybe.

We'll see.

"Happy New Year!"

Post Script

"You can lead a man to Congress, but you can't make him think." Milton Berle