Only The Shadows Know ....

Folks,

Who really knows what evil lurks in the hearts of politicians - let alone their financial supporters!  More on this in just a bit ....

Today is Groundhog Day. I've already read the reports that Groundhogs everywhere have seen their shadows and therefore we have 6 more weeks of winter.  Those lobbyists whose very livelihood depends on an early spring - maple syrup producers, garden center owners, brewers, and carnies have suggested that the groundhogs in question be handled this way.  Then there are those who are suggesting this.

Moab Mabel did not see her shadow this AM so it's on for an early spring - it had nothing to do with the fact that I had her stuffed in a potato sack in the trunk of my car - so at least here in Moab - it's an early spring.

When I think of Groundhog Day though, I am immediately reminded of the movie - wait for it - Groundhog Day. Comedic writing  and scripting seldom get any better than this - all combined with a strong moral message and a great performance by Bill Murray.  Not many people remember this - Bill's character in the movie is named, 'Phil Connors'.  Check out this little clip,

In the movie, Phil Connors is an arrogant, self-centred and egotistical weatherman who becomes trapped in the same day over and over again.  Eventually he comes to terms with his existence and this helps him to gradually find a goal for his trapped life: as a benefactor to others.

  

OK - deep breath - here's my little rant - inhaling deeply - it is my opinion we need more leaders, more politicians, more financiers, more bankers, indeed more governments, that have an awakening similar to the fictional Phil Connors.  

On KZMU - the local volunteer FM station here in Moab - I hear teachers talking about lack of funding, class sizes going up, quality of education dropping, teachers leaving and folks leaving town because of lack of education for their kids.  They can't get money from their local and state government because no one will support raising taxes - and even if taxes are raised there are rules about how that money can and cannot be used.

In the Moab Brewery, I hear people talking about making money in the summer and then squeaking by on those earnings in the winter.

It's time 'we', in the US and Canada, stood up and faced the fact that we get the government we deserve.  It's time we stopped electing 'professional' politicians and started electing teachers, health care workers, folks on the front line - folks who are facing the problems that need solving on a day to day basis and know what needs to be fixed, and how to fix them, to set things right.  It's time for all of us to have a Phil Connors Groundhog Day moment - and try to help those around us and in so doing help ourselves.  

Whew - OK - I'll be alright in a minute ....

To quote from verse 0 of the Krome Koan,

'Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open'

On a more serious note - I biked 6 miles today - again out on Potash Road - rear end still throbbing - I will have to do something about that tomorrow - I am thinking an entire day in rehab - at the brewery of course.  

I then drove down the south side of the Colorado River, heading northeast towards Castle Valley.  After that back to Arches to catch the sunset.  Oh yeah - I made it back to the Moab Brewery for wing night and a micro-brewed beer - 10 wings and a beer for $4.00 - folks is that a recession fighter or what!!

One more thing - I am keeping Moab Mabel here to fatten.... - er, I mean safe keeping - the crow raven beast is still out there and I can use her as bai .... I mean I can protect her better right here ..... uh ....  from the carnies ....

More later,

Phil