A President’s Day To Remember
Today is President’s day. By definition we should conclude that this is a holiday and celebration. But what and who are we celebrating? Can there be a soul living who will celebrate the present incumbent? There are a few plutocratic businessmen who will cherish his person, but few I suspect would celebrate it.
The original holiday was plain enough: it celebrated
Washington’s February birthday – and quite right too. Then President Lincoln; who was also born during February, came to a sticky end, so he was tagged on to the occasion. Then the government got involved (don’t they always), and all holidays had to be streamlined so Washington/Lincoln Day became a day to salute all Presidents – even Bush 43.
Had Mr Gore been elected (some say he was), in 2000 instead of Mr Bush, would we be dancing in the streets in celebration of President’s Day today? Or in his turn would Mr Kerry have earned our approbation? Wiser heads than mine must find the answer. What few will dispute however, is that more than 3000 American families would be celebrating birthdays this year had wiser council prevailed at the White House.
I shall remember this particular President’s Day for the good fortune I had this lunch time. I normally eat lunch at an excellent bakery restaurant called Calistoga. Everything about it is excellent, except the parking. The restaurant is so popular that it is often difficult to find an empty space in the parking lot. Today was no exception and I drove around a couple of times searching for a spot. At the opposite end of the lot from where I was, a space became vacant. I jumped on the gas and headed for it. I arrived at it almost simultaneously with another car. I say almost as I was just ahead and throwing caution to the wind drove into it. My urgent desire to park my new car blinded me to the fact that a red Mercedes was backing out of an adjacent spot. I was half in the space and the Merc was backing right into me. I helplessly waited for the crunch. I didn’t come. The Merc drove away leaving me in the place and the other guy seething.
An everyday event you may think. But no – I do not do this. This is not me. I never try and ace people out for parking or any other type of driving. It is just plain dumb. To have bent my three month old car for the sake of a parking space when I have all the time in the world to find another one, is slap-bang-down-the-road STUPID! But it was a good lesson.
After this I needed some shopping therapy to calm me down. A quick visit to Best Buy to pick-up some gadgets started the calm-down. I completed the treatment at Barns & Noble. When all else fails, buy some books.
