Go, Ted

I just read how over Memorial Day Weekend, Ted Kennedy was sailing his yacht in a regatta off of Cape Cod. Ted Kennedy—one week after a biopsy that revealed brain cancer. Kennedy, with wife and pals by side, out on the ocean. Kennedy’s attitude: “Cancer, shmancer.” It doesn’t matter that death is a week or a month or God knows how far away, Ted just wants to enjoy life while it’s here. Raising his right arm, previously feared incapacitated, when leaving the hospital. Reading the paper in the SUV like he just woke up on a lazy Sunday morning. And now, riding in his yacht on the ocean.

It struck me that this is exactly what we as Americans love most about the Kennedy clan. These are people who live life to the fullest, with gusto and vigor, whatever circumstances may bring. Say what you will about their politics, their boozing, their womanizing, their life of privilege—when you get down to it, it’s really their lust for life that fascinates us all. Two brothers’ lives cut short by assassins’ bullets. But oh, how they lived. You may not like it, but secretly you envy it. Scandal, broken back, trial and tribulation, all in the past: Ted just wants to go out with a bang. The world still needs more Kennedys.

Peace Message

George W. Bush was in Israel yesterday delivering a speech celebrating the creation of the state, and meanwhile a missile destroyed part of an Ashkelon mall. For some reason I am eerily reminded of reports of his reading "My Pet Goat" to kindergartners during the 9-11 disasters, and of his reluctance to leave the golf course after Hurricane Katrina struck. Is there no end to this man's disconnect? Is he living on another plane? Is he leaving on the next plane?

What Happens in Asia

It's another ho-hum week on the Asian continent: At least 22,000 died in a cyclone in Myanmar; some 44,000 more are missing, yes, that same Myanmar where only months ago there was a martial-law crackdown on religious expression by those violent Monks (MONKS!!); then over the Mother's Day weekend, you may not have heard, a 7.9 Richter-scale earthquake wiped out at least 10,000 in China....

Then again, I can understand why you may not have heard; the important thing you need to know tonight, according to Yahoo, is that Mariah Carey has made a video with her new hubby; meanwhile, the headliner on MSN.com is sage advice on how long it will take you to make your first million.

Is anyone else out there as sick of this blindfold that they have us in as I am? Amazing how we are "a smaller world" these days; a "global village," some have called it, thanks to miraculous new forms of telecommunications--yet you have to delve deep into the news to find out about disasters of epic proportions, disasters that make Katrina look like an outdoor picnic....hey, they're in Asia! Half a globe away!

Here in the good old U.S.A., it's still business as usual: If it doesn't pertain to the celebrity culture or the pursuit of millions, the majority of people just don't care.