Saturday. Sofa. Coffee.
A few things to ramble about this morning. As usual, Saturday morning is not a time to get too het up.
Addressing a crowd in Michigan this week, Mitt Romney said it was great to be back in the place where he was born. He then went on to say,
"No one has ever asked to see my birth certificate . . ."
The comment was greeted by the friendly crowd with laughter and applause. It was greeted by those on the other side of the political fence with an explosion of tweets, posts, texts and messages of outrage that Romney would be pandering to the lunatic birther crowd.
That was not my initial reaction.
My intitial reaction was,
"I don't doubt they never asked for your birth certificate, they probably asked for a warranty, maintenance record and instruction manual . . ." or
"Is flash photography allowed?" or
"After that snoozer of a speech I would imagine they were more curious about your death certificate . . ."
I'm not proud of my reaction. Okay, actually I am. Sometimes I wish we would just let the candidates say what they want. Maybe even let one of the debates be an insult contest. The notion has a classical, historical basis reaching back over a thousand years in Europe. It even has a name. Flyting. Seriously. I was thinking of selling it sort of like a major heavy weight boxing match. Proceeds to reduce the deficit.
"Flyte or Fight, 2012" the Thrilla in Wasilla (only because it rhymes so well), or better yet, Mobilla or Huntsvilla. Alabama needs the money. Trust me.
Mitt Romney should be able to make a good natured joke about the birther issue. Barack Obama should have been able to laugh at Romney's remark and send a zinger right back. Because the idea that President Obama is not an American is a joke, which should be laughable. It is okay to make a joke if everyone knows you're only kidding.
But some folks just don't get it.
Speaking of taking yourself a little too seriously, I must poke a little fun at my alma mater this week. The University of Alabama makes a lot of fortune from the fame of its athletic programs, particularly football. Hundreds of thousands, probably millions of fans buy shirts, caps, shorts, mugs, car tags, mouse pads, coolers, oven mitts, dog vests . . .the list is endless . . . with the University's trademarked athletic logos displayed prominently.
At this point I would normally insert a photo of the distinctive Crimson A which has become shorthand for excellence in Academics and Athletics. But due to the events of this week I feel safer just referring you to rolltide.com, the official website of UA athletics.
Northport is a city separated from the University of Alabama campus only by the Warrior River. It is as close to the campus as most of Tuscaloosa, which is the municipal home of the University. In Northport, only a skipped stone's throw from the University, there is a small bakery called Mary's Cakes and Pastries. Mary, the owner of the small business, received a "cease and desist" letter this week from legal representatives of the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama was poised to sue Mary over her illegal and unauthorized use of trademarked Alabama logos, like the Crimson A, on cupcakes, cookies, and cakes (some of which, an insider discloses, have been ordered for official University functions). To view how far Mary had fallen in her lawlessness and where to order the cookies and other treats because she deserves it after what the University did to her, click here.
The University apologized and retreated after their threat became public. Our A turned even redder after the incident, and rightfully so.
On another, brighter Tuscaloosa sweet treat note, Krispy Kreme has reopened in a new building on McFarland Boulevard. I think it is where the old building was, but, as is true throughout Tuscaloosa, it is difficult to tell exactly where things were before the tornado. The week set an opening crowd record for the franchise. Anecdotal reports say that the crowds have been almost prohibitive. By the time you got inside, what was advertised by the neon sign as "hot now" was more often neither. But that doesn't matter now. I'm just glad my Kreme-filled happiness cakes are back. Sunday morning, Krispy Kreme and coffee. All is right with the world.
Which brings me back to the Republicans.
Hurricane Isaac is threatening the Republican convention in Tampa. But I don't think the Republicans are in any danger. They've already moved so far from the center they won't even notice . . .
Sorry. Just wanted to give you a Flyting chance . . .
Have a good weekend.
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