EXPLODING UNDERWEAR

The Real Walrus, like many Americans, wants answers to some obvious questions about the foiled terrorism act in Detroit on Christmas Day. A would-be terrorist came within a whisker of  bringing down a jetliner and killing hundreds of people. His weapon of choice? Exploding underwear…Apparently, in the weeks and months before this incident, more than one red flag had been raised about the suspect. Nevertheless, he still managed to get on a plane and nearly succeeded in his suicide mission.

Please, someone out there, answer me this question: Why on Earth did no one get suspicious when a guy from Africa buys a one-way ticket, with cash, to go to Detroit on Christmas Day—WITHOUT any luggage or a coat?

The Underwear Bomber never should have been on that plane. Talk about a breakdown in Air Transportation Security. The Peter Principal apparently was the only thing working on this day…..Yes. We have met the Enemy in the War on Terrorism, and He, unfortunately, is Us.

BOOBS

For many years, while The Real Walrus was a practicing journalist, I was convinced that the boobs in charge of newspapers would be responsible for their downfall. Focusing all the energies on profit, and ignoring quality and the needs of readers, could only be The Road to Nowhere. It was a No-Brainer…..Well, decades later, it appears as if The Real Walrus has been proven right. Newspapers are dropping like flies, and The Boobs are responsible…..

But let me ask you this: Is it possible that BOOBS will save newspapers….Watch and Enjoy.

MEAN AND IGNORANT

The Real Walrus is back. I’ve been away for several months on a SECRET MISSION….Do tell? Nope. If I did, I just might have to slap you silly…..

You know, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Case in point is the MEANNESS AND IGNORANCE consuming this country. No one on one side of the political equation wants the other side to succeed….AT ANYTHING….

It’s hard to believe there are actually people who would prefer FAILURE, even if it meant misery and death. Better failure than admitting the other side was right or had a good idea.

Again, The Real Walrus asks that question of the ages: WHEN WILL WE EVER LEARN???

CRAZY LIKE A FOX

The Real Walrus, like many others in America, is scratching his head…Just what is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin doing? Two days ago, she announced she would not seek re-election. But, she didn’t stop there. She also announced that she plans to resign and leave office later this month, without completing the 18 months left on her term. The governor explained that she was doing her state a favor by quiting and focusing her attention entirely on issues dear to her heart. Her hastily-called news conference to answer questions ended up  raising more questions…That’s not good…..You kind of get the feeling that maybe another shoe is about to drop….

But, then again…..Maybe Sarah is crazy like a Fox. Time will tell.

LEGAL DRUG PUSHERS

Elvis. Anna Nicole Smith. Heath Ledger…And now, maybe Michael Jackson. The verdict remains out, but chances are good that prescription drugs may have played a role in Michael Jackson’s unexpected death last Thursday in Los Angeles at the age of 50. Abuse of prescription drugs certainly is not a problem confined to the rich and powerful…It happens every day as well in Small Town America….Enablers, seedy doctors and a money-hungry health care system are responsible for tens of thousands of Americans becoming addicted to prescription drugs every year. And, the thing is, it’s perfectly legal, not to mention easy, to peddle this misery and death to the weak at heart….

It should be pointed out that many of the inmates in America’s prisons are there doing time for drug-related convictions. Law enforcement always makes a big deal out of going after people who traffic or use illegal substances like Meth, cocaine and marijuana…The Real Walrus wonders if, maybe, the real drug scourge  in this country is being left out of the picture.

ATTENTION SPAN

The Real Walrus long ago came to the conclusion that most people out there have the Attention Span of a Gnat. This especially applies to the News Media, particularly those who work in the television world. In my opinion, which probably doesn’t mean much, Talking Heads can’t walk and chew gum at the same time. It’s too complicated and doesn’t get high ratings.

Until yesterday, THE story of the moment was the civil unrest in soon-to-be nuclear Iran. You know, it’s very possible the people of Iran could be on the verge of overthrowing their Islamic government over a   fraudulent presidential election earlier this month…Such an event could change world history. Really.

Then, Actress Farrah Fawcett dies from her three-year battle with cancer,  followed by the shocking death of The King of Pop, Michael Jackson…Suddenly, Iran drops off the radar screen, with scant mention in the media most of the day even though protesters continue to die in the streets….The Jackson death probably will continue to dominate the news for several more days, maybe weeks, especially when it comes to what you see on the Boob Tube…

It’s kind of amazing how something can be so important one minute and then forgotten the next. Call it another casualty of a world suffering from INFORMATION OVERLOAD.

MAKE PEOPLE WELL

The debate over universal health insurance is on the verge of getting heated, and everyone in this country has a stake in the outcome. The Real Walrus is of the opinion that every person in America, the greatest country on Earth, should be able to see a doctor or go to the hospital when sick WITHOUT having to worry about how to pay for the medical care. One of the government’s main responsibilities to its citizens is PUBLIC SAFETY, and no one argues about it. I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe KEEPING PEOPLE HEALTHY is part of keeping them safe in a dangerous world….

Now some out there argue loudly that taking the profit out of medicine will lower the standard of health care in America. The Real Walrus begs to differ…Maybe, just maybe, it will be a good thing to have a health care system that wants to MAKE PEOPLE WELL instead of one that wants to MAKE MONEY.

FINGER-LICKING GOOD

What’s the world coming to? Kentucky Fried Chicken is now selling UNFRIED CHICKEN…That’s because fried chicken might not be so healthy…

The Real Walrus thinks if you look hard enough, you can find something wrong with EVERYTHING….Nothing is good for you…And, of course, too much of anything is bound to be BAD…..So, if it’s not about MAKING MORE MONEY by inventing a new product, here’s my solution to the health concerns…..Don’t eat KFC seven days a week….Yes, my friends, there is something to be said about the virtue of moderation….It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about eating finger-licking good chicken or dancing…

Meanwhile, let’s all try to remember this: The process of dying begins the moment each of us is born….We’re not going to live forever…So why take all  the enjoyment out of life?

FREE SPIRITS

They were Outlaws. They were Free Spirits. They were Damn Nice Guys. And, 27 years later, the work goes on…The Dream Will Never Die….

Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet The News Brothers….

FIGHTING PIRATES

Fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The violence of drug gangs in Mexico spilling over the border. The worst financial crisis since The Great Depression. Millions living in poverty and without health care. Too many children not getting an education……The Real Walrus actually believed that there couldn’t be any more problems out there….Boy, was I wrong…

Now, we’re FIGHTING PIRATES off the coast of Somalia. The drug-crazed thugs are disrupting the world shipping trade…It’s almost like something out of a movie…If something isn’t done soon, you and I might start seeing the results when we go to buy something. Somebody better figure out how to make them WALK THE PLANK.