I've Been Thinking

I've had some interesting thoughts lately. They're a bit meatier than musings, but not substantial enough for a proper post. I figured they were worth sharing, however, so I'm throwing them together and calling it "I've Been Thinking." Let me know what you think about what I thought.

• I'm thinking we have officially lost the meaning of every single holiday with the possible exception of Labor Day during which we all appropriately celebrate not having to work. Until this year, one thing I most appreciated about Martin Luther King Jr. Day was that it stood for something. Much of the nation actually made this federal holiday about more than a day off; it was a day to give back, a day to serve, a day that the man whom it honors would have been pleased with. But in 2013 a couple of enterprising businesses officially blew it.
  
  Parx Casino in Philadelphia promoted an "I Have a Dream" sweepstakes. The bright marketing folks for the casino apparently thought Dr. King's speech was about hitting it big on the slots, not establishing equality for all. Seriously, was there no one with an ounce of sense participating in that creative meeting? No one to ask "Are you freakin' kidding me?" Bad taste, to say the least.
  
  Blue Cross River Rink's radio ad wasn't quite as tacky. It simply promoted this special day as an opportunity to go ice skating.
  
• Speaking of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the federal government decided  was an ideal occasion on which to celebrate the President's inauguration. I agree that it was a thoughtful, symbolic choice. As I watched bits and pieces of the hoopla, however, I wondered what this all was costing and who was footing the bill. When I Googled that shit (an inside joke for the Outer Banks gang), I read on Wikipedia:

In 2009, based on its fundraising efforts and crowd estimates for the Obama inauguration, the presidential committee set its budget at $160–$170 million for the inauguration, including about $45 million for the gala events. The federal government contributed about $49 million, including $1.2 million to cover the actual swearing-in ceremony.The District of Columbia and the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia projected costs to provide support for inaugural events at more than $75 million alone for police, fire and medical services. To help fund the efforts, President George W. Bush declared a federal state of emergency as a precaution so that funds could be sought from Federal Emergency Management Agency (???!!!).

City public schools are struggling to survive and those in the suburbs are cutting arts, music, computers, and libraries, but we're throwing some serious parties in D.C. Damn, I love our government. When Abby becomes President, I'm advising her to pull the plug on the parties and put that $160 million toward feeding people, educating children, and ensuring the elderly are treated  as well as our nation's prisoners. Imagine the reaction of the American people if a President made such a bold move.

• While we're talking about parties, are there no parents around when tween and teenage girls are leaving the house for dances and parties? I went to a shindig on Saturday night where I saw shorter dresses than I would wear to bed, much less out in public. Seriously. One wrong move and these young ladies were going to share everything with the rest of the party goers. One girl (no older than 13) actually wore a dress that made it look like she was in bondage; black straps everywhere and a zipper down the back. I'm pretty sure I'd lock Abby in her room before I'd let her leave the house looking like a teenage tramp. If you ever see her looking like one, alert me immediately. Girls, have some self-respect.
  
• Speaking of young ladies, I'm thinking of starting a teen fitness escort service (nice transition, huh?).You would hire an outgoing, physically fit, athletic young lady or young man, and pay them to get your sedentary slug of a child to work out. It's amazing what a tween or teen will do when encouraged by the opposite sex. I see it as putting peer pressure to positive use.
  
• And finally, while I'm sad that Stan Musial has died, I like that he passed at a time when we needed to be reminded of what makes an athlete a star or a hero deserving of our admiration. May the Lance Armstrongs of the world take note and may we, the fans, try to get back to a place where character counts.