Word Of The Day : Ennui

Last week, as I was ironing shirts for Mr. P I saw something on Good Morning America that I've yet to recover from : It was a ABC News-generated graphic depicting a topographical map of the area surrounding President Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch. Clearly and, more importantly, equally marked on this map were the President's ranch and Cindy Sheehan's property. Why had ABC News felt it necessary to point out where Cindy Sheehan's property is? At the time this map was being shown, the Cindy Sheehan psycho-mom grief tour wasn't even in Texas. It wasn't even in America. It was in Ontario, Canada. Cindy and her pals were hanging out with Vietnam Draft dodgers, singing Joan Baez songs while complaining about our government's persecution of the dodgers. The Cindy Sheehan psycho-mom grief tour is last year's news. The news media have absolutely no problem being unprofessional, immoral, wrong, or even a bore.

Last evening, one of our friends in the State Department happened to call. During our chat, I asked him, from the perspective of someone working amid diplomatic circles for the last 20+ years, what the biggest story of the year was. Biggest, as in frightening long-term troubles for us. He responded that it was the 18 page letter Ahmadinejad sent to President Bush. He then carefully explained why. That 18 page letter was maybe a one day story at best in the MSM. The reason why the news media thought that was either because they have no idea what news really is or because that letter made George Bush look good, really good. I think it was the latter and similiar to the motives at Clarence House in not acknowledging Charles and Diana's recent silver wedding anniversary, we can't have that now can we?

So keeping all of this in mind and interest of trying to maintain sanity, I won't be around for a while. The Peperiums will be enjoying life and not listening to the nattering nabobs of negativity. Borrowing a page from one of my most favorite people on earth, Mary Poppins, I'll return when the east wind changes. Have fun and eat lots of oysters. We will be.

Mrs. P

Comments

[Debbie]

Well that makes me feel good. I was afraid Washington was not paying enough attention to that crazy Ahmadinejad. You know he has big plans for August 22, ... perhaps the return of the 12th Imam ... perhaps the destruction of Israel ... perhaps a bomb for the world? You can't trust that crazy guy, because he is more than crazy, he is a religious crazy.

Yes Mrs. P, I read the headline about the Egyptians on the run, but have not had time to dig into it. As you mention, washing, ironing, cleaning, ... after having company here from last Thursday through yesterday.

At least the TV doesn't have cartoons and kiddie movies on it today, I can actually watch the news. ha

Have a wonderful day.

[Card's wife]

Thanks for the good news this am. Forget about the oysters I'm having chocolate cake.

[Mrs. Peperium]

I'm on vacation but here are a few things to ponder...

* What has happened to Ford Motor chances of surviving since the announcement of closing of the BP pipeline: http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/08/07/ap2932939.html

Ford has been blaming high gas prices (translation; poor fuel economy) for its 2Q looses which were re-calculated last week to be 2X as much as the 123 million loss they originally stated. In fact Ford has been blaming high gas prices for its woes since spring of 2004. Ford's profits are largely derived from SUV and Truck sales - perhaps as much as 70%. Ford has 2 new products coming out in November (I know nothing of their fuel econmy) but November is a long time away especially if the F-150 sales are trending down - more than 40% lower now- F-150's have long been Ford's bread and butter. Now part of this problem is Bill Ford's own doing by promoting himself as a 'green' guy when Jacques Nasser came on board. The greenies are furious at Bill because he's not as green as they would like and are actively working against him and Ford. Really, how green can you be if you run an auto company? It was a lose-lose proposition on Bill's part to tout that one. This is why you need people around you who will tell you the truth.

Both Nasser and Ford, when they tookover Ford made themselves into mega rock star personalities. Bill even sported wrap-around sunglasses in photos. They had a little help from one of Jack's guys who bit the bullet at Ford within 72 hours of Jaques biting it. This fellow is Jason Vines who is from all reports a very personable guy. He popped up later across town at Chrysler. Guess what one of his latest undertakings has been; http://shotgunconcepts.blogspot.com/2006/07/dr-z-flops.html Here's Vines response; http://www.adrants.com/2006/08/chrysler-bites-back-at-ad-age-over-ask-dr.php

Ahh...none of this deals with the very real fact that OPEC could now, knowing our weakness raise oil prices. With that kook in Iran who wants oil to be $200 a barrel, this is a very real possibility. This is after all how enemies deal with enemies or infidels. With gas over $3 a barrel, SUV's, and truck sales will continue to fall off. Ford is going to have a very tough few months to say the least.

Mr. Poulos will be pleased to learn (for his batting average) that Ford did last week hire a merger and aquisitions guy;http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2006-08-02-ford_x.htm This could be to sell off assets like Vovlo and Jaguar, but time will tell...

Anyway, these are just some of the reasons the Card's wife is opting for chocolate cake over oysters. Iran, August 22, and the Democratic party with the primary win of Lamont going full throttle anti-war are some of the others. For a prominent Democrat to win now it seems, one must be full anti-war. Thank you George Soros and Cindy Sheehan. Algore, the nutjob masher of his wife lips at the Democratic convention is now the favored winner of the Presidential nomination in'08. Kerry and Hillary will have to jump on that bus, behind Al Sharpton of course...

[Mrs. Peperium]

Read this;http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/442047p-372286c.html from Michael Goodwin, no less:

"This is fantasy. And that's what Lamont's victory is based on. That somehow we can pull out of Iraq, tell the terrorists they win - and we and our allies will not suffer any consequences. And if those Islamists misbehave, well, we'll just scoot back over there with our police force and arrest those naughty fellows.

I believe that Islamic terrorists will stop at nothing in their mad quest to rule the globe. As a result, World War III has started, whether we like it or not. It will continue, whether we fight back or not. But if we think we can win by not fighting, then we're not just wrong. We're nuts. As in nutmeg. "

Now, who has been helping Iran? China. Why? Many reasons, actually but could this be one of the reasons?

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Columns/articleId=105449

Time will tell. But if oil prices go up over $100 a barrel, Detroit is the clear loser. If Detroit loses. that opens the door for the Chinese automakers. Now don't go all NAFTA about this. This problem is Detroit's own - they have been arrogant and not repsonded quick enough to the changing market desires. They also believed (and still do if the Dr.Z campaign is to be believed) that with a slick marketing campaign they could sell anything to the American market. That was the old formula of the 50's. Times have changed and the world has changed. The irony is the marketing people are supposed to be the first ones to detect this, but in Detroit's case they failed miserably. I blame graduate schools.

[Mrs. Peperium]

Here's this from a small minded Michigander who doesn't get the larger ramifications of anything:

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/print.php?id=197

[mandingo jones]

Enjoy your time off. Are the oyster to be stewed, pan roasted, or raw. I hope you drink a suitable beer with them.

Some thoughts on the decline of the UK and the West in general.

I read somewhere - maybe in NR or Weekly Standard that Prince Charles had some fancy organic garden built it was designed by an aristo gal who converted to Islam. There is also I think a member in the House of Lords who also converted - goes about with a funny Aladdin type name.

The suicide of the West re:

Mark Steyn's Happy Warrior column in National Review, Aug 7th issue says it all.

Jens Orback, Sweden's minister of "democracy" said in a radio discussion,
"We must be open and tolerant towards Islam and Moslems because when we become a minority, they will so towards us."

Duh, we must be democratic - even in our destruction - it is evident they want to commit suicide as a nation - why become a minority in the first place? It is like the "white flight" thing in urban to suburban areas in the 1960s. The birth rates in Europe are going down - but they can stop this if they want - they can stop the Islamo - fascist tide from taking over their nations - but because of political correctness and guilt they have refused to do anything positive to save Western civ.

In the same NR of Aug. 7, 2006:
Jim Callahan - prime minister of the UK before Thatcher. confided to a friend of Mark Steyn from NR - he thought Britain's decline was irreversible and that the government's job was to manage it as gracefully as possible.

That's the spirit - carry on!

The French and the whole of Europa must think along the same lines. My co -workers do, blaming everything on Bush and being ignorant of the Islamic threat.

Oysters and the rites of summer are way much better. Peperiums enjoy your vacation but please don't leave us here. Please come back soon?

[Bill Clinton]

Perception:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/060809/ids_photos_ts/r1533909385.jpg

Reality:

http://www.funnyhub.com/pictures/img/scary-hillary-clinton.jpg

[Algore]

This is very humorous. There's just one problem. This is not the perception of Hilary. In fact, to be accurate, I think you should have the reality shot for both perception and reality.

I mean, come on, it's not like everyone isn't on to her.

[Marupa]

You mean Hilary in the Museum of Sex and Maurpa not?

[Bill Clinton]

Marupa, life's tough. So's the sex trade.

Al, perception:

http://www.cronus.com/images/gore_rowing.jpg

reality:

http://www.meaus.com/2004-al-gore.JPEG

[Hillary Clinton]

OK, two can play at this game.

Bill Clinton, perception:

http://www.fabioifc.com/fabio/FAB_GIFS3/fab_in_blue_jacket.gif

reality:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f67/JanuaryJoePa/Pee_Wee_herman-2.jpg

Just ask the Statue of Liberty:

http://www.gargaro.com/images/libertyclinton.jpg

[Andrew Cusack]

I'll tell you one thing: I'm not going to miss Joe Leiberman.

[Barney]

Aw, that's not nice. I love him...he loves me... we're a happy....

http://www.museworld.com/images/barney.jpg

[James G. Poulos]

Thanx for the batting average booster, Mrs. P. There hardly was time to predict the demise of Loserman. I see a resurrection; but the same cannot be said, I'm afraid, for the Shrinking Big Two.

[mandingo jones]

What I always found so phony about Sorelooooserman was how many times he said he was a religious orthodox Jew - but how slavishly he was (is)devoted to the abortion industry. I remember when he was running he joined all the Demon-cratic canidates at a NOW/Planned Parenthood/NARAWAL/ pro choice pow wow - he even had his daughters there with him. Last I checked observant Jews - orthodox were pro life.

[Your 'Birmingham Eccentric' social correspondent]

Last night the P's and C's visited their famous winter haunt, Dick O'Dow's. Mrs P and Mrs C had to advise management on a series of changes and adjustments that will be need to be made to both the physical and property and the menu if this venue is to maintain itself as the Patum Peperium winter home. (A title of such prestige that the management representative we talked to --a Mr. 'Lick da Pot' Bronkowski-- seemed to think there'd be no problem at all.)

Accompanying the P's and C's was fellow blogger and intimate friend and personal advisor to Misspent, Mr Blandings. (Good news, by the way, Mr Blandings has agreed to become the summertime golf pro of the Patum Peperium site.)

Mr Blandsings was most impressed with Dick O'Dow's and took his time in moving about the place and examining the various brass plaques that commemorate an array of important events that have taken place on the premises -- such as the Patum Peperium Christmas Party at which Mrs P was forced to get lippy with with Joey Harrington when he seemed disinterested in her advice about adjusting the Detroit Lions uniform colors. (It's no coincidence that Mr Harringtron is no longer with the Lions organization.)

Other than advising an overly enthusiastic group of post-Rotary Club meeting revelers to shut-up or get out so that Mr 'Lick da Pot' Bronkowski could hear Mrs P as she described the decore changes she would require, the evening was fairly quiet and pleasant.

At one point, when it briefly appeared that a law suit could arise (something about some drunk's back being hurt after he had clummsily stepped on one of Little Bertie's toy cars) the group had to contact the Patum Peperium legal counsel, Mr Fiendish Lout. When the Lout had finished with him, the drunk not only apologized for his inappropriste language but paid the twenty-two dollars damage to Little Bertie's toy car that Mrs P demanded as recompense.

The Lout, by the way, is hale and hardy. I noticed that in spite of all the work that had to be taken care of with Mr Bronkowski, Mrs P and Mrs C took the time to inquire as to what Mr Lout was wearing (he was at the bar of the New York Athletic Club, of course) and kindly offered some tips on appropriate wardrobe for a mid-August visit to gentlemen's mid-town club bar. (Mr P also briefly talked to the Fiendish one. Most of that conversation related to the cost of the over-the-phone legal advice and was of a less tasteful nature.)

All in all, the evening seemed to be a success and you may all expect a new and improved feel to Dick O'Dow's in the coming winter months. Mrs P and Mrs C are already talking about another Christmas festivity.

[Card's wife]

I think we asked Fiendish if he was wearing seersucker and jeans.

[thebizofknowledge]

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. So much of what we know, think we know, believe, and are manipulated to believe, comes from the media. How disheartening!