Cafferty on Drugs

I selected this piece by Jack Cafferty, not because I consider him a sage on the subject, but because it's brief and cuts to the chase in terms of the war on drugs: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/cafferty.legal.drugs/index.html. I've been asking myself for a long time if what we're currently doing as a nation really makes sense when it comes to dope. It goes against my nature to want to yell calf rope, but does the effort really make a difference for the better? I don't know. I would like to hear from more people on the front lines; both law enforcement and drug users and recovering addicts to weigh their views on the matter.

Is there a family out there not touched by drug abuse? Most certainly, but maybe they're the exception now. Drugs have ruined lives in my own and my wife's side of the family and I'm not sure the incarceration of those afflicted really accomplished anything. They were and are generally good natured people but addicted and seemingly unable to kick the vice. Does locking them up really matter for the better? Cafferty also says in his piece that legalization would bring revenues to the coffers in terms of a tax on dope and less expenditures for law enforcement. Further, he says it would pretty much nullify drug cartels. I don't completely buy that, especially the part about less expenditures. From what I've seen, that money would simply be used by congress to fund other pet projects, so we wouldn't save anything. And, I'm thinking the cartels are clever enough people to make sure they had a seat at the money pile--they ain't going to walk away so we're still going to have bad guys to contend with in any scenario. All that said, I'd like to know what others think about this. What say ye?

More Old Man Stuff

Here's a nice WSJ write up about "Rio Bravo," a crowd pleaser of a western that has held up over time: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123802062186941663.html. Apparently, even the French like it, but they like a lot of shit that doesn't make sense so we'll skip that endorsement for now. The best thing about Rio Bravo is that it's not in the least pretentious and Hawks didn't give a damn about that existentialist crap going around at the time. Wayne and Martin are in top form and Angie Dickinson's debut provoked boners in dads all across America for years to come. Damn nice way to spend a couple of hours--the Duke has his hat on right and goes about kicking some ass in a very pleasing manner.

Along with Rio Bravo, here are some westerns to think about:

1."The Searchers"--all time favorite movie for many different reasons. Complex, a masterful story told by Ford, great CINEMAphotography, and marvelous characters. Wayne's finest role.

2. Ford's "cavalry trilogy" of "Fort Apache"/"Rio Grande"/"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." Sure, they're sentimental, but damn, when you watch the troops ride into the sunset with "The Girl I Left Behind Me" playing in the background, it's tough not to get choked up. At least, for me.

3. "Shane"--Too bad Alan Ladd wasn't Wayne's size because he could sure deliver the lines. The climactic confrontation between Ladd and Jack Palance and the ensuing gunfight is great.

4. "Man Who Shot Liberty Valence"--Wayne, Stewart, Marvin--pretty strong. Great scenes between those giants and most all of it shot on a sound stage. Wonderful character actors, too. Woody Strode is "Pompey," Wayne's right hand man and all around guy there to cover your six and to carry you home when you're hammered. Every man needs a Pompey.

5. "Conagher"--No, it is in no way on the same footing with any of the before mentioned films. But Elliott was perfect in the role of a roaming cowboy and it's got one of the most realistic feels of any period western.

6. "Outlaw Josey Wales"--corny but highly entertaining and engaging--a solid Eastwood effort.

7. "Lonesome Dove"--not a movie but the greatest mini-series ever filmed. No, it didn't win the Emmy. Know which one did? No, neither does anyone else. So much for the dickheads who vote for those things.

8. "Barbarosa"--Willie Nelson in a role that hippie son of a bitch was born to play. "You been shit out of luck ever since you been born, ain't you farm boy" was a flawlessly delivered line.

9. "Open Range"--cracking good film and Duvall and Costner put in a fine day's work. Greatest gunfight scene ever filmed.

10. "The Long Riders"--the movie with four sets of brothers. Greatest were the Quaids. Fantastic score by Ry Cooder.

Like Hawks and others, I never much liked "High Noon." No, not because of the political stuff; I never found it that compelling. Another one is "Red River." I thought Wayne was good but I just did not buy Montgomery Clift--how does a kid who grew up in pre-Civil War Texas have a Yankee accent?

There's more. Feel free to add/delete.

Sweet Baby James

I've never liked James Taylor or his friends. I feel good about that: http://www.yankeepotroast.org/archives/2008/01/afternoon_delig.html.

UPDATE

This just in: It is not true that Shellback is 80 years old and wears taupe colored SAS velcro strapped shoes. That is all. Oh, the picture shown here has nothing to do with this post, only that the subject is both young and good looking and obviously very female. Buck up, boys.

Dutch always enjoyed a good Chesterfield just like Glenn Miller.

Nectar of the gods

Sorry, Shellback, but unless it involves a tuxedo, some fantasy the missus has cooked up after 2 bottles of wine/repeated viewings of "The Thin Man", the promise of a night I'll never forget and a blond wig, I don't "do" big band. If I did, I'd probably look like "pops" over there to the right.

But I gotta hand it old pops over there - he's kicking back with a cold brew. Beer - now you're talking. Beer is to men what ice cream or chocolate is to women - comfort food. Hard day at work? Have a cold one. Long day of yard work under the hot sun? Make it all worth while with a frosty brew-doggie. Finally secure that kitchen pass for 18 holes with you buddies? Don't forget to ice down some brewskies because, hell, you don't really think your golf game's gonna be worth a shit, do ya?

Beer is also the perfect answer to "What do I do now?". Run into an old friend? "Hey, let's have a couple of beers, talk old times...". Run into an old enemy? "Hey, it's good to see you. How 'bout a beer or two, talk about what a prick you used to be...". Old girlfriend? " You up for a beer or two? Maybe I'll remember why I hit on you to begin with...".

Most of all, beer is like an old friend. Sure, it's changed a little over the years, but it's still there for you. Years ago it was a neighborhood kid, a skinny little dork, and had names like Bud, Bush and Coors. Later it - and you - matured. It filled out a little and you called your old pal Heineken and Molson Golden. Finally, you became a man of the world, with tastes to suit. Your trusted friend became worldly as well, and you called him Guinness and Urquell.

The best thing is that our friend has now become damn near a frat house full of bros. Hot outside? Modelo, Shiner or Red Stripe sounds mighty good. Looking for something a little heavier, something to really enjoy? Pour yourself a Boddington's or Murphy's. Trying to impress that well rounded chick at the table in the corner, the one enjoying Chimay Blue? Order up a Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel, and pour it yourself. Enjoy, because you are now in like Flint.

There's even a place for that skinny little brat you first met. I never said no to a long-necked bud, and I never will. Gotta admit it - I still enjoy them, too.

More Frog News

I read this piece yesterday and thought all of you frog apologists might like it: http://www.moreintelligentlife.com/story/parisians-rude-pas-du-tout. Apparently, Sophie Pedder says everyone is all wrong about Parisians and other frog types being rude--we just don't understand their culture. Essentially, Parisians place great emphasis on order and the observance of social mores and we mistake their rudeness--we just didn't properly set the stage by greeting them in the correct manner. Being a native of a Southern state, I can appreciate that. Hell, some northern transplants and their inability to function with anything remotely in the neighborhood of civility never cease to amaze me. But, I think Madame Pedder goes a little over the top in her apologies for behavior over there. I've encountered French school children of whom she praises as models of excellent decorum in other places as well as groups of frog tourists and I'll just say that Mdm. Pedder and I can agree to disagree. One thing though, she has some great tips for where to stay, where to eat, and where to go when in Paris--useful stuff for your next visit. Bonne journee, y'all.