Au Cochonnet Marin

Most (or many) people harbor preconceived ideas about various subjects or issues. They will blame or praise any event before even becoming aware of all the facts. But life is never what it seems… it is neither all black nor all white. Every story has a great variety of shades… if you take the time to scrutinize it.

Few people are logical. Most of us are prejudiced and biased. Most of us are blighted with preconceived notions, with jealousy, suspicion, fear, envy, and pride. – Dale Carnegie

In our video clips driven society, what is often seen as the ultimate truth is just part of a much larger picture. For example, are all demonstrators violent?  Are all black people innocent victims? Are all cops brutal and racist? It is impossible to generalize.

This of course does not excuse the needless brutality of some cops. But it sheds some needed light on recent events. Our society is becoming so extreme, so polarized that a return to an American Civil War is not an unthinkable fiction anymore. And keep in mind that more than 620, 000 men died in this conflict pitting Americans against Americans.

 The old French revolutionary slogan Liberté, égalité, fraternité is what should be encouraged and promotedin America today. Not Make America Great (and utterly disunited) Again.

Violent demonstrations and the rhetoric level need to come down. If you want to be heard, don’t shout. Just find someone who wants to listen to you so the right people hear your thoughts.

Progressive captains of industry should be the natural leaders of such movement. And some, like Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, are… People like Bill Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg should also jump in the fray and add their voices to the cause.

They have the forum and the means to bring about necessary reforms. Silicon Valley should be heard and add its might to the reform movement. One single voice (and the cash) of one CEO would have more impact than 20,000 angry demonstrators.

Don’t rely on politicians. They are just mercenaries following the scent of money. If you really want something to happen, throw barrels of cash at the problems. How do you think that the Panama Canal was completed?

“The United States spent almost $500,000,000 (roughly equivalent to $9,169,650,000 now) to finish the project.” Wikipedia

Think about it

Race is not the problem. Flagrant economic inequality is. Preconceived notions and hatred will crumble like cookies when everybody will make a respectable living and be able to afford decent housing.

Alain

The whole world is a cactus
It is impossible to sit
In life, there are only cacti
I pride myself on knowing it

Aie Aie Aie! Ouch! Aie Aie Aie!

In their hearts there are cacti
In their wallets, there are cacti
Under their feet there are cacti
In their vests, there are cacti

Aie Aie Aie! Ouch! Aie Aie Aie!

To defend myself from their cacti
In my turn I put cacti
In my bed, I put cacti
In my pants, I put cacti

Aie Aie Aie! Ouch! Aie Aie Aie!

In their smiles, there are cacti
In their bellies there are cacti
In their good morning, there are cacti
In their cacti, there are cacti

Aie Aie Aie! Ouch! Aie Aie Aie!

Words: Jacques Lanzman
Music: Jacques Dutronc

1967

Les cactus

In the last 3 months, socialization has been a dirty word, banned from polite circles. This episode has felt like some black and white science-fiction chapter where aliens invaded and occupied planet Earth.

Direct physical contact with other people was prohibited, or severely restricted. But human beings (like wolves) are pack animals, and deprived of associating with their kind, they languish… and howl at the moon. Yes, I have done it…

Socialization was discouraged mainly due to the lethal threat wielded by the invisible enemy. Harmless looking people could be infected, and like foreign saboteurs, they could wreak havoc on society. The safest way to avoid disaster was then to hunker in your bunker.

But isolation negatively affects the human animal. To remain healthy, he needs to regularly associate with his species. And with time, and with a partial abatement of the pandemic, the desire for socialization has grown stronger.

Every state and every county in the US initially implemented stringent measures to avoid widespread contamination. Slowly, carefully, authorities have relaxed their protective measures, and people are tentatively coming out of their shells.

In Marin County, many stores have reopened and restaurants have been allowed to serve meals outside. This encouraged many people to sponsor these places, and we did too.

Then, following the example of our very social neighbors, we also reached to renew old ties. But some people are still hesitant to rejoin their flocks. My advice to them is as follows:

 “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.” Oliver North

Taking Oliver’s suggestion in stride, my wife and I invited Jean-Michel P. and his girlfriend Ellen to share a drink and a bite with us.
Due to intensive construction in my property, we cannot come said Le Facteur, but why don’t you come yourselves to my place? I have a new pétanque court and we could play a few games.

Did you say pétanque? What is it? I vaguely remember something about it… Oh yes, a game I played a long time ago… But I am not sure that I would remember what to do…

In closing…

Well, we went to Jean-Michel’s lair and we had a great time. We ate, we drank, we reminisced, and yes, we played pétanque on his  beautiful new court. Of course, we all wore masks (all created by industrious Tamara).

I had not played the game for at least 3 months, and it showed. Jean-Michel and Ellen trounced us! But I remained polite and professional… even though I briefly of murdering them.

Altogether, a pleasant day of renewed friendship and reexperienced socialization.

Alain