The right word . . .

I just can't write a terribly serious blog about all this.  Maybe next time.

I have a suggestion to help we the people deal with the madness in D.C.

And I have to give the Republicans credit on this one. A special nod to Karl Rove.

Republicans are brilliant at reducing messaging to one word, or a short phrase. The message machine  meets over the weekend (or more often in fast changing situations)  and comes up with a new word for the week or day.  This week, for instance, the word is "conversation".   The context, of course, is that President Obama is not willing to even have a conversation  with them about the government shutdown, the continuing resolution, or the debt ceiling.  Speaker Boehner used the word no less than fifteen times in the span of twenty minutes during a presser this week.  And he was not alone.  Republican officials, from dog catcher to U. S. Senator,  whenever they were on camera or in front of a crowd, used the same word.

It is very effective. Seriously. We Democrats are too prideful to participate in such a tactic. And we certainly don't like the idea of being limited to one or two select words. Despite what some think, we have a little libertarian bent. And, like others think, we like to talk.

But it can also be a means of help for we the people during this stressful time, a way to deal with our own frustrations over the situation, no matter your politics.

And you can choose how to use it.  If you believe you need to be more intentional with your spirituality, to increase your discipline of prayer, you can use the word or phrase of the day like a centering chime, or a call to prayer.  To use the name of God for something other than a prefix for a curse  during these frustrating times.  Each time you hear or read the word of the week, simply face the south wing of the Capitol Building and hit your knees.   If cable news watchers adopt this spiritual discipline, Dish network dishes will adorn monasteries as the monks just try to keep up. A big boost for EWTN ratings.

Or, if the whole thing has just depressed you and you desperately need to party, desiring more spirits than spirituality, then perhaps you would like to use the tactic as a basis for a drinking game.  You know the one.  Whenever a certain thing happens, or a word is spoken, a drink must be taken.  For instance, during Boehner's presser mentioned earlier, participants would have had to down fifteen shots in twenty minutes. It was numbing enough without the alcohol. Passing out might be a blessing.

So thank you, House Republicans, for the opportunity to pray more, and have a reason to take a drink or two.

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