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Murphy Martin Commentary
September 22, 2005
"Never a Dull Moment"
As we write this, still another
wicked-weather lady--this one named Rita--is blasting her way
thought the Gulf of Mexico packing winds in excess of 130-miles per
hour. That makes her a category FOUR hurricane and she could get
stronger before she hits land somewhere along the Texas coast Friday
September 24th.
Rita comes on the heels of Katrina, the most devastating disaster in
American history. More than a million people lost part or all of
their possessions to Katrina. Politicians are still lining up to
argue who should be blamed for this or that. Ray Nagin, the New
Orleans Mayor, grudgingly rescinded his order to re-open his city
before federal officials considered it safe. And the Louisiana
Governor hasn't found anything yet she agrees with---from Mayor
Nagin all the way to the White House.
No one knows when these stories will play out. And, a quick glimpse
of television news, or your favorite newspaper will tell you these
are just two problems Americans are facing today.
Interest rates were raised for the 11th consecutive time this week
reaching the highest it's been in four years. The vote is near on
whether John Roberts will become the new Supreme Court Chief
Justice. Democrats say nay, Republicans say yea.
Millions cast their votes in Afghanistan; casualties mount in Iraq;
North Korea claims it will tone down its' nuclear threat; meanwhile
Iran says it might resume enriching uranium.
These and many other problems that will cost hundreds of billions of
dollars to solve are mind boggling in one sense of the word, but
America will find a way to address them all. The terror threats, the
Hurricane devastations, pork-barrel efforts by selfish politicians
to get their share--Americans will come together---Democrats,
Republicans, Independents--Mayors, Governors, Presidents, Military
leaders---AMERICANS will get it done--because we are amazing
Americans.
We will whip enemy nations then turn around and given them the
shirts off our backs.
We will yell for greater speed laws to stop fast driving but won't
buy a car if it won't run over a hundred-miles an hour.
We will gripe about the high prices of the things we have to buy and
the low prices of the things we have to sell.
We know the lineup of our favorite sports teams but can't remember
the words of the Star Spangled Banner.
Some Americans get mad at their wives for not running their homes
with the efficiency of a hotel then get mad at a hotel for not being
home-like. We will complain about our wife's cooking. Yet, on a
camping trip we will eat half-fried potatoes, burnt fish and coffee
made with gritty creek water in a rusty bucket and say it's the
"best we ever had."
We will work hard on a farm so we can move to the city so we can
work hard and make more money so we can move back to the farm.
We sometimes like to fuss and cuss at our government, but we don't
want to hear any foreigner doing likewise.
Some Americans toss beer cans out the car window, drop gum wrappers
in the gutter, hide a beautiful view of a mountain or meadow with a
billboard selling laxatives, then stand up at his favorite civic
club meeting and, with a lump in his throat, sings America The
Beautiful.
Yet, the amazing American is still a pretty nice guy. Despite all
that he is not and because of all that he is---calling anybody "a
real American" is still the highest compliment you can pay.
So -- It may take a while to fix all the mounting problems
surrounding
us today. It may take years and many billions of dollars. But we
WILL
do it. IT'S THE AMERICAN WAY!!!
Murphy Martin
Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be
appreciated.
e-mail
murphy@murphymartin.com
Previous commentaries:
"Another Hero Laid to Rest)
"Blame Game"
"Senior Thoughts For the Young"
"Role Model Challenge"
August 18 - "Network News Anchors"
August 11 - "Now All Three Are Gone"
August 4 - "Trust in the Media"
July 28 - "Television Then and Now"
July 21 - "The Mick"
July 14 - "Forty Years and Counting"
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