ad meliora

If you do quite a bit of reading, it is inevitable that you will run across Latin phrases.  Sometimes the author will provide the translation either directly or through a character’s dialog, but all too often you never do really know what it means. 

Well, I ran across this Wikipedia entry that is really handy.  Bookmark it in your browser so that you will have it handy the next time you encounter the undefined Latin phrase.

An insidious truth

These days it amazes me that the President still has positive approval ratings and is beating the Republican candidates in the polls.  I expect this to remain the same, or even improve right up to the 1012 election. 

So, you ask, how can the Republicans have any chance of winning back the White House?  The answer for them is to keep as many of Obama’s base supporters as possible  from voting at all.  This process is well underway as evidenced by new laws passed by Republican State Legislatures requiring voter identification cards at the polls, limiting the time of early voting, ending same-day registration and making it difficult for groups to register new voters.

They’re getting away with it too!  Read this article for a scary look at this whole sordid subject.

Yet another photo I wish I had taken

[Click on image to enlarge]

Paul Strand, The Court, New York 1924

“Maroon” II

In my last post I observed that Bill Clinton and Anthony Weiner were “Maroons,” in the parlance of Bugs Bunny, for getting themselves into sexual imbroglios.  My friend Michael Lally commented that indeed they were Maroons, but that: “they weren't thinking, that's the reality, they were impulsing.”
This got me to remembering the classic Lenny Bruce riff on this whole subject.  I dug it out and listened to it and sure enough, Lenny pretty much nails it.  What is really interesting, as you will hear, is that he actually uses the word “moron” several times.  According to the Urban Dictionary, Bugs’ use of “Maroon” is a mispronunciation of “moron.”  Anyway, enjoy the late, great Lenny Bruce riffing on the subject.

Weiner–What a maroon!

Geez, it’s Bill Clinton and the blue dress all over again.  This Anthony Wiener thing is just like the Clinton fiasco with Monica.  I really respected both of them, and in the end still (mostly) do, but I keep coming back to the question of “what the hell were these guys thinking.”  Sort of like walking down the main boulevard with your junk hanging out and then being surprised that anyone noticed.

For each of them, I still say, “What a maroon!”

Definition of “Maroon” from the Urban Dictionary:

A term of derision often uttered by Bugs Bunny when referring to an interaction with a dopey adversary. It is a mispronunciation of the word "Moron"

"What a Maroon!" "Will ya get a load of this maroon"

~ Tom

Heart breaker… just like my kids long, long ago.

Okay, I got this from Rachel Maddow’s Facebook page, but who cares.  You WILL get the hang of it!