Will Rogers

Today is the birthday of the great American humorist, commentator, and radio personality Will Rogers, the man whose gently satirical style and down-to-earth humor I have tried (with debatable success) to emulate over the years. Will’s folksy style and common touch let him poke fun at every level of society and address controversial topics in a way everyone could appreciate, and which – not being mean-spirited or spiteful – seldom gave offense. He skillfully skewered politicians, celebrities, gangsters, and government agencies and programs without regard to party, and once noted that, “I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat.” He also commented that “Everything is changing in America. People are taking the comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.” 

Courtesy of my son Matt, I was able to visit the Will Rogers Ranch near Los Angeles a few years ago, to get a feeling for the man I’d so long admired. It was a humbling experience and a reminder of what we've lost in the bitter political and social recriminations of today. Join me today in raising a glass to the great Will Rogers, who once said “I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.” We need men like him today more than ever.

Have a good day, and strive to make America the friendly and open nation of Will Rogers, not the closed and bitter cesspool of Der Furor and his worshipers.

More thoughts tomorrow, when we present the first Ass Clown Award of the new month.

Bilbo

P.S. - I was named William in honor of my father, but I'm also proud to share my name with Will Rogers. These two men are my most revered heroes.

Memorial Day, 2017

Today is Memorial Day, the traditional beginning of summer, the day the swimming pools open and everyone flocks to the beaches and the amusement parks to celebrate life in America. It is also the day on which we honor those who died in the service of the nation, often in lonely and frightening places far from home and family.

That's what today is really about. Enjoy yourself, but take a minute to remember those who gave their lives to make it possible for you to enjoy today's barbecues and swimming pools. The freedom you take for granted today wasn't purchased by noisy posers strutting into the local Starbucks with loaded assault rifles and nine-millimeter pistols on their hips, or by traitors who think they're heroes for exposing the nation's most sensitive secrets ... it was purchased by the men and women who now rest in long, quiet rows and wonder why they gave up their lives for all this.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo

Memorial Day, 2014

Today is Memorial Day, the traditional start of summer, the day the swimming pools open and everyone flocks to the beaches and the amusement parks to celebrate life in America. It is also the day on which we honor those who died in the service of the nation, often in lonely and frightening places far from home and family.

That's what today is really about. Take a minute to remember those who gave their lives to make it possible for you to enjoy today's barbecues and swimming pools. The freedom you enjoy today wasn't purchased by the noisy dumbasses strutting into the local Starbucks with loaded assault rifles and nine-millimeter pistols on their hips, and it wasn't purchased by despicable traitors who flee to Russia and think they're heroes for exposing the nation's most sensitive secrets ... it was purchased by the men and women who now rest in long, quiet rows and wonder why they gave up their lives for all this.

Have a good day. More thoughts tomorrow.

Bilbo