{This is a response to Friday Fictioneers. The photo, above, is from a desert region in Northeastern New Mexico, named Thoreau. I’m sure, I’m not the only one, who thought of the author of Walden Pond: the advocate of simplicity, of getting back to nature. Even our esteemed hostess, Rochelle, uses one of his quotes, to introduce her blog.
Today, through hours of testimony, grandstanding and hair-splitting, powerful voices sought to persuade us, to believe one of two contradictory versions of reality. The following quote of Thoreau’s seems especially apt:
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
Henry David Thoreau
One part of the hearing, today, really caught my attention. After repeated attacks on the witness’s own character and trustworthiness, and after enumeration, of his own shady dealings, the witness was asked: If he called the president a “cheat”, what would he call himself?
The witness answered: A fool.
Please enjoy this collage of cliches.}
This desert brooks no fools.
You can’t persuade your way to water. Cactus prickles, even though you may wish it away.
The desert knows only truth.
It’d be a fool’s errand, to drive to the next service station, without checking first, to see if you’ve got enough gas.
But, fools rush in. Where angels know, good and darn well, the sand is too hot, to tread on.
I would not, normally, take you for a fool. Except, perhaps, such a one, as represents himself.
But, what else can I call you?
Around here, only fools and children tell the truth.
I must be channeling W.C. Fields this week. “You can’t cheat an honest man, and never give a sucker (or voters) and even break.”
Love WC Fields!
Nice work on this and incorporating the degeneration of our political sphere. People elected a lobbyist … I don’t know what more they could expect. He’s still lobbying for his interests. (I’m moving to Mars)
There soon may be a flight to get you there! What’s the supposedly Chinese curse? May you live in interesting times?
Yep, supposedly. These have surely been interesting. I’ve been keeping an eye on Elon and his rockets.
My son was up past three, watching last night’s launch. It is exciting to see them attempt to go “where no man has gone before,” especially after a long drought for space adventure, since the shuttle closed up shop.
As others have said, all I can do is shake my head at the state of politics in the world. And congratulate you on making some sane points with your humorous twist on cliches. Well done Andrea
Try my best, to work at arm’s length, or, at worst, on the fringes of the insanity. ?
We feel for you here too, don’t worry!
I can see much time and wise deliberation went into this. very clever approach.
Most of the time was spent watching the hearings, alas. But thank you. ?
The world has gone insane, common sense and decency left the building with Elvis.
Perhaps they’re just more difficult to spot. ?
It seems wherever you live in the world today, politics is becoming a total shambles. Brilliant use of the cliches.
I hardly know what to say. Not much I can add to what’s already been said. I do think you did a very clever job of presenting those cliches.
Thanks granonine. It is all a bit dumbfounding. ?
Since we’re in the middle of the Brexit circus I don’t feel I ought to comment on another country’s lack of sensible leadership so I shall simply say, nice one 🙂
Thanks draliman. Hope both of our countries can bounce back from their internal divisions. And soon!
Enjoyed reading this, Andrea – and I’ve enjoyed reading the comments! So much crap going on in the world of politics – whether it’s the US or the UK or Canada – and now India and Pakistan are posturing at each other. You couldn’t make it up.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
True Susan! Enough to make your head spin!
Well done, Andrea! Watching that circus from afar, I can only shake my head… but know that the repercussions will go far so can’t totally tune them out.
We have our own crap up in Canada. The world is in want of leaders.
Under these conditions its probably hard to find volunteers.
Dear Andrea,
There’s a lot to be said for cliches. Usually they tell the truth. I try to avoid the news as much as possible these days. SMH At any rate, I enjoyed your cliche fest. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. Sounds like a wise course of action, or inaction as the case may be. Im too much of a news junkie to follow your lead though. It just feels like there’s a new Constitutional Law Final Exam Question, every five minutes. Glad Im on the sidelines just watching. And I Hope there’s a Bell Curve for the testtakers!?
It has passed the point it seems where anyone has the will to do anything beyond endless hearings and twittering. A circus with no end, and thankfully, as a non-US, I can decide to ignore it. Unfortunately, as a UK citizen, we have our own shambles to ‘entertain’ us right now!
The problem with such hijinks is that it can make the whole country appear foolish, and dilute our standing, in the eyes of the world. Reputation inflation.
The man in question appears to be Teflon-coated. I rest my case. Nice bit of social commentary here.
Thanks. Trying to walk the line, instead of toe it.
By the way, in the course of looking up different usages of fool, I came across this article from columnist David Brooks, arguing that we should suffer fools gladly, because it is kinder.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/opinion/brooks-suffering-fools-gladly.amp.html
A lot of truth in that story, and nicely illustrated by your examples.
Thanks Penny. Cliches are cliches for a reason. ?
Interesting approach to reporting current affairs.
May I say, as a non-American, I am bored rigid with the antics of your presidential circus.
It’s a bit hard to ignore, here, in the thick of it. I think we are becoming numb, though, often choosing not to attend, because of the constant barrage of absurdities. It’s as if we were at the point of the TV viewer, who, tired of tampons and pharmaceuticals, finally decides to start muting the commercials.
Dear C.E.,
As an American, I’m bored rigid with him too. Can’t we just put him on an island somewhere and forget he ever happened?