Au Cochonnet Marin

Yesterday was the Fourth of July and there were parades all over my neighborhood. As a matter of fact, one of these celebrations prevented me from lunching at one of my preferred watering holes.

On my way to the restaurant I came across two consecutive police blockades and had to cancel my midday gastronomical project; one more reason to add to my long list of grievances against parades.

The above does not sound patriotic but I always thought that patriotic was a loaded word. “My country right or wrong” is not my cup of tea. I prefer by far “if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Carl Schurz.

I never understood in the first place why anybody would want to be part of a parade. Isn’t it anything but a pathetic attention-seeking plea? Look at me, look at me dammit… Nobody pays attention to me… I am starved for compliments…

One of the few parades that I at least understand is a smart military parade. It could have two purposes; the first one would be to honor and thank the soldiers who fought in forgotten wars. The second would be a big display of military hardware to deter aggression.

My aversion to parades might have its roots in ochlophobia (from the Greek “fear of crowds”).
I relish my independence too much to be sucked in any large group. Crowds are notoriously dimwitted and too easily led. A single speaker can inflame a crowd at will and order it to destruct or kill and without thinking the empty-headed herd would most probably roar its approval; an individual would not be as easily swayed.

Group conformity scares the pants off me because it’s so often a prelude to cruelty towards anyone who doesn’t want to – or can’t – join the Big Parade. Bette Midler

As far as parades are concerned, I could watch Boobs on Bike, or The Black Watch parade. It is at least exotic and entertaining.

Going to a local parade? Don’t count me in. J’ai d’autres chats à fouetter! (I have other cats to whip).

Alain

Let me start by saying that perfection does not exist in any form or shape. It is a myth and it is absurd to look for it. Period.

“Near perfection” can be found, but it has a short lifespan. Unbeknownst to you it has an expiration date stamped under its hood.
What was perfect yesterday will be laughable 2 years later. Perfection, like knowledge has no boundaries.

For almost 75 years, the English longbow reigned supreme. It was the perfect killing machine equally feared by everybody. And then appeared the musket, then the canon…
For another long period, the horse was the perfect mode of transportation.Then the bicycle and this silly contraption called automobile materialized…

Nothing is ever final. Even death, the ultimate frontier, is now questioned. Some people have put their trust in Cryonics, the practice of deep-freezing the bodies of people who just died, in order to revive them in the future.
Impossible? I would not bet the house on it.

Is a man or woman ever perfect? Hardly.
Perfection you must know is not impervious to time. Your perfect fiancée might well become a defective wife. And your near-perfect man is susceptible to rust. After a few years he will need a new paint job and be retrofitted with new hardware and software.

A perfectionist (i.e. Steve Jobs) is hard to live with. He might produce some innovations but who wants to live in permanence in a pressure cooker?

Actually, I can’t imagine anything more tedious than a perfect person, especially if it was someone who also demanded perfection from me. Hugh Mackay

To live happily, shy away from Goddess Perfection. She is too demanding and will turn you in a very short time into a pitiful version of your old happy go lucky self.

Settle for “damn good” and you will live happily ever after.

Alain

Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection. Kim Collins

The world used to be in awe of the White House. Not anymore.

Due to the childish outbursts of the current occupant, the White House appears to be greatly in need of a regent (a person appointed to administer a country because the monarch is a minor or incapacitated) or a Mentor.

When attaining the highest office in the land, a man ought to cast his personal demons aside and try his best to represent his country with gravitas. He should look and sound dignified, and be worthy of the nation’s confidence.
Such is not presently the case.

« Chassez le naturel, il revient au galop. » You cannot stop your true colors from shining through.

The present tenant of the White House is flighty, thin-skinned and vain, eerily taking after the crowned heads of yesteryear. The monarchs of the past were egomaniacs, surrounded by submissive minions eager to preserve their exalted positions. In today’s White House (like in the Kremlin) old servile practices have been restored.
Praise, but not a dissonant peep can be heard from the Casa Blanca.

A responsible president traditionally communicates with the country through regular press conferences. The press should never be considered an enemy, but a dependable channel to keep the nation informed. Bypassing the “fake news” press with impulsive digital tweets is childish and irresponsible.
It is absolutely impossible to articulate any presidential position through 140 characters or less. More importantly, it is beneath a president’s position to personally attack or ridicule people who disagree with him.

The president as a national standard bearer ought to inspire respect and not lend himself to ridicule in the (home and foreign) press and late night shows.

The commander-in-chief has frequently mentioned an 8-year reign.
He will be extremely lucky to crash-land without serious injuries at the end of a single term.

Alain