Isaac Laquedem

Rick Perry tries to push a convicted drunk driver out of office, and she indicts him for trying

I'm underwhelmed by the foofaraw about the indictment of Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, on charges of abusing the power of his office.  As I understand the story, the charge stems from an incident last year when the Travis County district attorney, Rosemary Lehmberg, was arrested for driving while intoxicated.  She breath-tested at four times the legal limit, was uncooperative with the arresting officers, pled guilty, served a short jail sentence, was fined $4,000, and had her driver's license suspended.  Governor Perry said at the time that she should resign and threatened to veto the state measure that financed her office if she would not resign.  As it happened, she did not resign -- she continued to draw her salary while jailed -- and returned to her desk when released.

She evidently got busy when she returned to her desk, because it was her office that presented and obtained the indictment of Governor Perry for attempting to use the veto power of his office to pressure her to resign hers, giving the Perry-Lehmberg war the character of a highbrow version of the Hatfield-McCoy feud.

My Democratic friends, many of whom are chortling at the indictment of Governor Perry, might consider these alternative points of view of the P. and L. statements:

1.    Governor Perry rightly opposed having a convicted drunk driver as the district attorney, and tried to get her to resign using a legitimate power of his office.

2    Governor Perry rightly opposed having a convicted drunk driver as the district attorney, but it was unjust of him to threaten to cut her department's budget to persuade her to resign.

3.    Governor Perry wrongly opposed having a convicted drunk driver as the district attorney, and should have done nothing to encourage Ms. Lehmberg to resign.  Being a convicted drunk driver should not disqualify someone from prosecuting other drunk drivers.

I agree with the first view: Mr. Perry tried to persuade someone unfit for her office to resign, and she is now using the power of her office to try to get revenge.  Whether Mr. Perry is fit for higher office is a question for another day, but the indictment doesn't make him less fit for his current office than Rosemary Lehmberg's guilty plea and conviction make her for hers.

Robin Williams (1951-2014), the Great Pagliacci of our time

An old story runs like this.  The psychiatrist's patient tells him, "I am depressed, and my life seems harsh and colorless."  The doctor says, "There is a simple treatment.  The most famous clown in the world, the Great Pagliacci, is in town and is performing tonight.  Go see his performance, and he will cure you."  The patient stifles a sob, and says, "Doctor, that won't work.  I am the Great Pagliacci."

Two candidates for Congress joke about

As Congress often inadvertently provides comic relief to the public, and comes in for a full meed of satire and derision, it's remarkable to see two conservative Congressional candidates brave enough to advertise their campaigns by doing stand-up political comedy.  This unusual event (the promoters say it's the first time ever that candidates have tried to raise funds by being intentionally funny) happens tomorrow evening at Harvey's Comedy Club, under the name of Standup for the Constitution.  James Buchal (Republican candidate for the Third District, running against Earl Blumenauer, shown in this video) and Jason Yates (Republican candidate for the First District, running against Suzanne Bonamici).  I don't know Rep. Bonamici's sense of humor, but Rep. Blumenauer's ability to be self-deprecatory might give Mr. Buchal some challenges to equal; some years ago when Rep. Blumenauer was on the ballot three times in one year he cheerfully used the slogan "Vote Earl, Vote Often." 

Summer shcool in California

Summer is the time to touch up schools and the warning signs that keep children safe. 

This warning sign, caught by a friend in Millbrae, California, suggests that the painters should have paid more attention, not just on the street, but inside the classroom.

Here's what I can do because Facebook is down right now

I will believe what happens next in videos.  I won't know which "Lord of the Rings" or "50 Shades of Grey" character I am.  No one will suggest posts to me.  I will have to find my own pictures of acrobatic cats.  And I'll have to find my own good deals on car insurance.

Not bad things, actually.