May 21, 2006

THE PORTRAIT

We have a great and curious nation.

Great because, after time that can be measured in parts of centuries, the ukulele appears to be capturing the attention of a few.

founder foto
21st Century American Mainland Ukulele
Peter Stephan Kyvelos – maker

Curious as few appear to be aware that the official oil portrait of William Jefferson Clinton, that by a tradition of honoring previous presidential residents, is hung in our White House, depicts his fly as unzipped.

So, one may ask, why would few be aware of such a depiction?  Well…..l, if you must know,,,,,,  made it up.

I must confess that I was prompted to deceive by a recent announcement of one of the few surviving American Corporations that manufacture automobiles, and related products.

General Motors is discontinuing it’s Hummer.

When first announced, the moniker of their behemoth version of what had been the diminutive, yet powerful, Jeep, surprised me.  It was hard to understand why a word that identified an activity of human affection, thought not usually used in polite society, what ever in the hell that would be,  would be attached to a motor vehicle that was apparently marketed to certain macho elements, like movie stars and/or politicians, and burly outdoor folk. 

I first become aware, by hearsay, of the activity so named, during what, at the time was called “Junior High School”, now referred to as “Middle School”, and later in life having my awareness expanded in ways that would be inappropriate to discuss,

That our democratically elected political establishment should devote major attention and significant resources to an alleged hummer should not come as a surprise.  Nor should it come as a surprise that one of the leaders in the hassle to chuck Number 42 out of office had allegedly committed adultery, in a “youthful indiscretion”, years and years ago.

I say “not surprised” as both our political and commercial word crafters appear to believe that their targeted audiences are victims of variants of Alzheimer’s disease.

I would like to close with a recognition of the skills of those silvered tongue foxes who craft the words and phrases that are presented to us, the humble recipients, to gain our support as consumers and supporters.  Particularly those  at GM who gave us ……….. “Hummer …..like nothing else.”

So true. So true.

founder foto
William Jefferson Clinton, Governor of Arkansas and Democratic Candidate for President of the United States
… leaving New York City TV studio
1992

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