Unbridled Enthusiasm

Oh, I'm not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean 
d-do ya?
--What I Am,
Edie Brickell and New Bohemians 

Have you ever seen the film Being There,
in which Peter Sellers plays a vacuous imbecile
 who through a series of misunderstandings
ends up poised to become president? 
--Watch Out, World, The Sunday Times
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[Of course, Ron Liddle was comparing Mitt Romney to the hapless character Chauncey Gardener, but the comparison works just as well for George W. Bush. Come to think of it, it applies to an endless number of candidates, hence the brilliance of the construction.]

Last month, former Vice President Dick Cheney wrote in a WSJ op-ed,:

"Rarely has a U.S. president been so wrong about so much at the expense of so many," -- not referring to President G. W. Bush, but President Obama (The Collapsing Obama Doctrine).

How is this level of shamelessness possible in a man who has held a position of respect in our government? Could Cheney be deluded? Perhaps just terribly confused, or bombastic? Does he care that his legacy be one of an inveterate liar -- a  criminal creep? Perhaps he is simply a flat-out criminal, engaging in some Projection 101.

Ranger recently came across a photo in General (RET.) Hugh Shelton's book, Without Hesitation, of the General standing with President George W. Bush on 28 September 2001, a mere two weeks after the World Trade Center attacks:

The President looks positively glowing -- nary a sign of furrowed brow for him.

Remember the "high striker" game at local fairs and carnivals? If you struck with the mallet hard enough, you could max out at the top of the scale. Now, if you were charged with choosing the penultimate word or phrase for describing chutzpah of VP Cheney, and then for Mr. Bush, what term would you choose?

The Future is Now

Not make believe then, I'm not make believe now
I didn't understand then, but I understand now
--Not Make Believe, Stevie Nicks

The hardest thing in the world is to assume the mood
of a warrior. It is of no use to be sad and complain and feel
justified in doing so, believing that someone is always doing
something to us.
Nobody is doing anything to anybody, much less to a warrior
--Carlos Castenada
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The WaPo ran an interview today with Paul Saffo, "veteran Silicon Valley forecaster who explores long-term technological change and its practical impact on business and society," on what our must-have technological objects will be in 20 years. He puts his bet on the personal robot,

We want to confer life and intelligence on everything. We want to see fairies under trees. We want to believe that rocks can talk.

The future is here, baby. Exhibit A: the White House.