Before getting to politics, a sad football note. At age 85, former San Diego Chargers Coach Don “Air” Coryell passed away. I will do his official eulogy on Sunday, July 11. He was one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of football. He will be missed.
The Miami Shark and I are driving from Los Angeles to parts unknown for a nice romantic 4th of July weekend. Shopping, fireworks, and a Tea Party I am speaking at on the 4th of July in Orange County all await.
Some people may have noticed that this entire past week, my blog has been less of a blog and more of an online diary, which I detest when other people do it. In short, my readers are bored.
With all of the hard news events going on, why have I spent time discussing my visits to various GOP Conventions?
Because people do not know what they want.
People complain that they dislike negative campaign ads, but admit that they work.
People claim they want highbrow analysis and not lowbrow humor. Yet my highest rated column of the year in terms of blog traffic features pictures of hot political women. You claim to dislike infantile descriptions of yummy bouncies, but the spike in my blog traffic does not lie.
People claim that they want a more positive world, yet feed off of negativity.
Much of politics is negative. I spend a good deal of time bashing liberals, deservedly so.
Yet I have had so many positive experiences, and I decided to take the week thanking so many people who have meant a lot to my personal, professional, and political growth.
For years I theorized what was going on in America. Now I am seeing it with my own eyes, and it is beautiful.
This is an amazing country. We face tough times, but there are a ton of things to be happy about.
Sure I complain about the current political leadership, but I decide my own faith. The president and congress did not prevent me from building a business or meeting a wonderful woman that shares my zest for life.
After the last Roman Candle is lit and the last set of fireworks go dim, I am sure I will get back to hard core politics. I suppose I will go back to being grumpy.
I will be giving the people what they want. This blog is not about me. It is about politics (and of course football on NFL Sundays. We can’t forget that).
Yet for a few days I wanted to share what politics at its best should be about.
For those who were bored, you can wake up on Monday when we all go back to fighting.
At least for one week, I put ratings aside and provided glimpses of the best of America.
On Sunday America turns 234.
Politics will be there on Monday. For now, let’s enjoy our loved ones, cherish our freedom, and thank those providing that freedom.
Besides, this Sunday is the best Sunday of the year that does not contain NFL Football.
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest faces 3 time Yellow Belt defending champion and great American sports hero Joey Chestnut against his Japanese rival and previous 6 time winner Kobayashi.
I put aside partisan politics and listen to musicians who hold political views different from mine. John Cougar Mellencamp sings about Pink Houses, Bruce Springsteen waxes poetic about the Glory Days, and John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival reminds us that he is no Fortunate Son.
We can and should be partisan. Disagreements are healthy. Yet we must never lose sight of what we are fighting for. We have different means, but most Americans have the same good, decent, and noble ends.
Some will tell me to stop being happy, because the world is falling apart.
I have the best job in the world and the loveliest woman on Earth by my side. If that is not good enough, I do not know what is.
Others are hurting, but I was hurting too at one point. Things turned around for me, and they will for others as well. We are facing challenges, but we are will overcome them. As Ronald Reagan said, “We are Americans.”
I would say more, but it is time today to type less and live more.
The Tygrrrr Express is fireworks bound, with the Miami Shark in tow.
eric