The View From the Outback© 2000 Richard C. Rhodes
A great deal of what we read in newspapers, magazines, and books, and what we see in the movies and on TV is written and produced in New York City or Los Angeles. Much of the "political wisdom" comes from the PR machines of the White House, the Congress, and from the Washington media corps.
In short, one might conclude that all knowledge, wisdom, and wit are confined to those who inhabit New York City, Washington DC, or Hollywood.
I am now a senior citizen. My experience was gained in many cities in the U.S. and in about 30 foreign countries. That experience has included the U.S. Marines, law school, the ATF, the CIA, Fortune 500 executive, writer, public speaker, educator, editor, and publisher - for openers. For over 20 years, I have written articles off and on for various magazines and newspapers. I've had an enormous number of letters published in major national publications. The Outback is the rural area in Northeast Texas where I have lived for the past 13 years. Every couple of weeks I will attempt to post a new set of musings from the Outback.
Nearly two years before the national election, the pollsters are already handicapping the
presidential race, before we even know who all the players will be - and what takes place in Iraq,
N. Korea, with terrorism, and with the economy. And the media is reporting this horse race
nonsense. Our beloved Democracy is strangling in its own spit, with
excessive and early coverage of elections and incessant polls about every imaginable issue - and
many nonissues. And when all is said and done, people are weary and disillusioned about the
process, and less than half of those who are eligible cast a vote.
TV advertisers are becoming more and more concerned about Personal Video Recorders, like
TiVo, DishNetwork PVRs, DirecTV PVRs, and Replay TV. One major concern is the ability to
fast forward through commercials. All kinds of software and hardware restrictions are being
proposed to limit the usefulness of PVRs. FCC Chairman, Michael Powell, got a TiVo for
Christmas. He said: "TiVo is God's machine." The more PVRs sold to those in Congress and the
Administration, the better. They will see that the technology is truly a godsend, and zapping past
commercials is only a tiny fraction of their value. (See: "If You Don't Have a PVR - Get One!"
Outback, Aug. 17, 2002 - www.home.earthlink.net/~rickhgtx/outbac64.html)
A writer said on TV that somebody talked her into writing on a word processor, instead of by
hand. One thing she was told, the WP will correct your spelling. "The problem is," she said, "that
my spelling is so bad that when the list of suggestions pops up, none of them are even close."
What about "hear" and "here," and "their" and "there," and so on? Spell checkers like all of those
forms. For fun, I typed: "I cannot here you." Then I ran it through Grammatik in
WordPerfect 10. "If you mean 'in this place,' the adverb here is correct. If you mean
'take in sounds with your ears,' try a form of the verb hear." Very impressive.
Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge, is now Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security. I have watched this man in hearing after hearing and many press conferences. He
always has the facts in his head, gives straight answers, and seems completely unflappable. One
of his secrets may be that he wears a hearing aid. When too many idiots around him are talking
and confusing the conversation, he can simply turn down the hearing aid, nod and smile - until
they settle down and he is ready to tune back in. In Washington, you can easily miss two-thirds of
what is said in a meeting and not miss anything of substance. In fairness, the same thing can be
said for most corporate meetings.
Some companies are cracking down on personal surfing at work. It is about time. People in
offices often think that spending half the day on personal matters is a God-given right. Not if you
are the boss and have to pay the bills and meet the payrolls. In large companies, personal Internet
use can cost millions of dollars in revenue. Some of the favorite hangouts are dating services,
news, online brokers, eBay, and porn sites. Not in my company you wouldn't. Companies are
also starting to realize the huge amount of time employees spend writing and answering personal
e-mail - and are taking steps to tone down or eliminate the practice. Much of the Internet use at
work is over a broadband network. This is one reason that broadband is not more widespread in
homes. Why buy the cow if you get the milk free at work? When I send someone an e-mail, I
usually get an answer faster if they are at work than if it is evening and they are watching TV or
whatever. Their time is valuable. The time of their company is not. That seems to be the
message.
I saw a fascinating story of the life of Col. Sanders, of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, on
"Biography." That motivated me to post on my Web site, under Rhouge's Gallery, a photo in
which both my father, "Dusty" Rhodes, and Col. Sanders were at a lodge meeting.
I have written many times about obnoxious telemarketers and how the Texas do-not-call-list and
Caller-ID help me from ever responding to a sales call. Once in a while, somebody with no caller
ID will persist. If I feel like some fun, I answer in Spanish, German, Italian, or French. They hang
up - and hopefully cross me off the list. Except one guy whom I spoke to in Spanish. He said, in
English, "I'll have someone call you back in Spanish." They never did. If they had called right
back, they would have been speaking to a German - and totally confused. All you have to know
is about five words in each language, the greeting, e.g., "Hola," "Bonsoir," "Guten Abend,"
"Buona Sera," and then after the inevitable pause, "Habla Espanol?" "Parle vous Francais?"
"Sprechen sie Deutch?" "Parla Italiano?" Click!
Medical scientists have discovered that the saliva from Vampire Bats contains a clot-busting
substance that may be useful in treating strokes in humans. Can't you hear it now? PETA
complaining that the removal of the bat's saliva is inhumane. They will be picketing bat caves,
with signs saying "Save the Bat's Saliva!" What a wonderful sight it would be to see about 1,000
PETA members with a Vampire Bat sunk into their jugulars.
The shock of a lifetime! And a cautionary tale. In England, a set of black twins was born to a
white couple who were clients of a fertility clinic. The white woman's egg was accidentally
fertilized by the sperm of a black man instead of that of her husband. If the couple were to keep
the black twins and raise them, imagine the confusion that would arise each time someone met
the children and parents together. "Honest, they are my mom and dad. Well, it's a long story - if
you have time."
In the last issue of the Outback, I was praising my new Samsung 191T LCD flat screen monitor.
In the current issue of "PC World" magazine (Feb. 2003) the 191T is rated as a "Best Buy."
Sometimes I just stumble into the right choices. Sometimes it takes months of research.
The "Cholesterol Doesn't Matter" Debate Gains Momentum
In the Outback for Feb. 23, 2002, I wrote "Does High Cholesterol Really Cause Heart Disease?"
In the Outback for Nov. 24, 2002, I wrote "The Role of Cholesterol and Saturated Fat
Questioned." (see Archive of Back Issues at the end of this issue)
Recently, I received an e-mail that alerted me to a new website - www.thincs.org "The
International Network of Cholesterol Skeptics."
(Why the "h" in the URL and the page heading- THINCS? The logo is a line drawing resembling
the sculpture by Rodin, "The Thinker." So, my guess is that THINCS stands for THINKS. Do I
win a prize?)
This is a site whose members represent a broad spectrum of scientists, physicians, academicians,
and science writers from various countries. They all are opposed to the idea that animal fat and
cholesterol play a role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The links at this site lead to
a variety of scientific papers, articles, and portions of books-in-progress.
As I said in earlier writings, many billions of dollars are at stake here, in drugs that are prescribed
to lower cholesterol, in the "low-fat" food industry, and on and on. And if the "cholesterol
doesn't matter" folks are right, hundreds of millions of people around the world are being treated
for the wrong thing - and often with serious negative side effects.
I encourage you to bookmark www.thincs.org and www.ravnskov.nu/cholesterol.htm
and to buy "The Cholesterol Myths," by Uffe Ravnskov M.D., PhD. (available on Amazon.com).
If after reading a substantial amount of this material, you do not seriously question the
conventional medical wisdom that saturated fat and cholesterol cause heart disease, then you
need to gulp down a bunch of Ginkgo Biloba and read the material again. Because - your brain
was obviously on "idle" the first time.
Politics Forces You to Be a Hypocrite
Politicians are almost forced to be hypocrites to get elected. On the Comedy Central TV channel,
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" ran a commentary about the prospects for Sen. Joseph
Lieberman getting elected as President. I don't recall the exact language, but one of the
comments was along the lines of: "Can you imagine this? President Joe Lieberman and First
Lady Hadassah Lieberman? It was said with considerable scorn in the voice of the
commentator, especially when saying "First Lady Hadassah Lieberman."
A couple of days later, the onscreen TV guide listed Sen. Joe Lieberman and his wife as guests
on the Daily Show. Mrs. Hadassah Lieberman never showed up, and I can imagine the
conversation she had with her husband. Joe Lieberman came on and talked with Jon Stewart via
satellite link. They joked and bantered. Sen. Lieberman tried to make a few serious points. He
concluded with: "I love your show, Jon." Oh, really? A show that mocks the possibility of having
a Jewish president and mocks in particular having a "First Lady named Hadassah Lieberman"?
Kissing babies to get elected is one thing. Kissing pigs is another.
FYI: Hadassah Lieberman is a lovely and gracious lady, who was born in the Czech Republic in 1948. Her parents were survivors of the Holocaust (her father a rabbi). Her family emigrated to the U.S. when she was a small child. She married a rabbi, whom she later divorced. Then, in 1982 she met "Joey," as she calls Senator Lieberman. Hadassah has a Masters degree in international relations and American government from Northeastern University.
Where Are the Charismatic and Untainted Black Candidates?
As I have said 100 times, blacks need to grab their mouse and drag some of their so-called
leaders to the Recycle Bin. The Reverend Al Sharpton is perhaps best remembered for being
found guilty of defaming a white prosecutor with false charges that he raped a young black girl,
Tawana Brawley. A 1983 FBI surveillance tape allegedly showed Sharpton making a drug deal with an undercover officer. As for his accomplishments on behalf of blacks? Give me a while, and I'll get back to you.
Not all Democratic strategists are fond of the Reverend Sharpton. One commented that he prayed
for Carol Moseley-Braun to get into the race and draw away some of Sharpton's support. Great,
but do you remember Ms. Moseley-Braun, the only black woman ever elected to the Senate? She
was caught using campaign money to cover personal expenses and promoted legislation that
favored a corporate donor.
"Media Watch" for Nov. 1993 reported that Carol Moseley-Braun had intentionally attempted to
defraud Medicaid. There was a letter from Ms. Braun to her mother, in which it was alleged that
she counseled her mother to hide her assets (to qualify for some Medicaid benefits). The letter
was said to include a sentence: "In an effort to help you 'launder' the timber proceeds..." Moseley-
Braun did not deny writing the letter, when asked by a reporter But the local NBC station sat on
the story.
So, where are the Black Knights who need to ride in, throw down their gauntlet, and stake out a
claim on higher office, including the presidency? It is a mystery, since there are in our society so
many well-educated, articulate - and apparently honest - blacks. One example. Hugh B. Price, the
CEO of the National Urban League, is leaving that post. He has had a distinguished public and
private career. The comparison of him with someone like Al Sharpton is a silk purse to a sow's
ear. There are many more like Mr. Price tucked away in business, in academia, and in journalism.
Why then is the best that blacks can do are people like Jesse Jackson, whose mistress had a baby
by him, and Al Sharpton - a fraud on several levels?
Where are the Colin Powells and Condoleezza Rices of the Democratic party? That ought to give
you something to work on over the weekend, guys.
Late-Night Radio Nostalgia
I have found a sure-fire way to unplug my racing mind and fall asleep at night. I listen for a few
minutes to AM talk radio around midnight. From people who have been abducted by aliens, to a
sex therapist, to callers who make my opinions sound calm and rational, to the interminable
commercials - it is mind numbing. About 10 to 15 minutes is all I can take. My brain shuts down.
I turn off the radio and am out like a light.
But, this sampling of AM radio has been a journey down memory lane.
WGN, Chicago - I lived there as a very young child
WHO, Des Moines - I was born in Des Moines, and my dad worked in radio there. President
Reagan was a sports commentator on WHO. "Dutch" Reagan and Dad used to drink beer at the
same tavern.
KLBJ, Austin - I was interviewed at length on the "Olin Murrell Show" about my novel and the
CIA in general. A caller said, "Olin, this is the best show you have ever had." Wow!
WOAI San Antonio - I once spent an hour or more being interviewed by the legendary Alan
Dale. Later when Dale left the station, I auditioned to take over the time slot. They were
impressed and let me co-host a show with the station manager. It went well. They were going to
invite me back for additional auditions. I knew in my heart that it would have been a question of
time before I said to a caller on the show, "You are the most stupid son-of-a-bitch I have ever
talked to."
I moved back to Dallas. I always wondered how things would have gone on "WOAI, the 50,000 watt voice of San Antonio," (I loved saying that) if I had more tolerance for people of
differing views and who were less informed and articulate than I. And I had an ability to keep
calm and my mouth shut when goaded. The moral. Know your limitations and accept them. And
then spend the rest of your life kicking yourself in the ass for some of the great opportunities you
passed up.
Echoes From the Outback?
It must just be coincidence.
In the Outback for Jan. 7, 2003, I wrote about the problems with Anti-Americanism in
South Korea and suggested we pull our troops out of there and let them fend for themselves.
On Jan. 20, 2003, MSNBC.com ran a story entitled: "Is Uncle Sam Still Welcome in Seoul?"
In the Outback for Jan. 7, 2003, I wrote "Hurry! Get Your Segway Scooter Before They
Are Sold Out." I repeated my earlier refrain that I thought the Segway was an overhyped piece of
gear looking for a home, not the "revolution to transportation" as it has been touted. Also, I
commented about the lobbyists who had spread out across the country to get the Segway
accepted by state legislatures and cities for use on sidewalks and streets.
On Jan. 17, 2003, MSNBC.com ran a story entitled: "Is Segway Going Anywhere?" Among
other tidbits: "... the scooter finds itself with more detractors than customers." "In December, San
Francisco banned it, while Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and other California cities are considering
similar action." The president of Segway resigned after less than a year on the job.
And AP story quoted a San Francisco supervisor, Tom Amminano, who said: "Segway didn't
help themselves by hiring very expensive lobbyists. I think that backfired on them, too." And
further quoted: "I think a lot of it was ballyhoo. Now, with people looking at the practicality and
cost and possible liabilities, I think they're abandoning their enthusiasm."
Gee, if you read the Outback for Dec. 16, 2001, I had lost my enthusiasm long before the first
one went on sale. "After all this wait, and all the suspense, and all the hype. A scooter that
balances!" Go back and read that article. It will be fun.
And take a look back at the Outback for April 13, 2002, where Andy Rooney of CBS (who was
about 82 then) said he went to an auto show and his favorite thing there was a Segway scooter.
Paleeeeze.
In the Outback for Sept. 30, 2002, I noted that after $20 million was spent on Keiko the
whale (of "Free Willy" fame), he was set out to sea to rejoin a whale pod. But, after about five
weeks with his fellow Orca, he seemed to prefer the company of humans with whom he lived
around for about 20 of his 23 years. What would you expect?
ABC News reported on January 24, 2003, that Keiko was once again preferring to cavort with
humans around an inlet in Halsa, Norway. And being fed by humans. This is news? Worthy of a
segment on the ABC evening news? And a long segment on "20/20"? The story is as stale as a Carp on a dock for a week in 100-degree heat. Keiko may live another 20-25 years. My money is on him sticking with his human friends.
From the ABC report:
"This animal most probably will not be able to survive on its own if it's not being taken care of
by humans," said Leif Nottestad, an expert on orcas at the Institute of Marine Research in
Bergen, Norway. He says the rescue team simply disregarded the laws of nature.
The Free Willy people's hearts were in the right place. Their brains were in a dank, dark, moist,
and odoriferous area at the other extreme of their torso.
Debunking Modern Climate Myths
The Web is well-populated with environmental extremists, including the Ph.D. in geophysics,
Ms. Barbra Streisand, who has a Web page that fans of hers no doubt read. No wonder the issue
is obfuscated.
Recently, I began reading articles at www.co2science.org, especially "Debunking Modern
Climate Myths." which can be found at:
www.co2science.org/edit/v5_edit/v5n52edit.htm
Take a look at co2science.org and you may not feel so worried that the sky is falling or that
Miami will be under water within five years.
Please Stop the "Hillary For President" Hype
In a recent poll, Hillary Clinton was America's most admired female. Say what? I have never met
a person who likes her. Where was that poll taken? How was it worded? In the NFL, a coach can
challenge a play. I would like to challenge the poll that says Hillary is most admired. Whenever I
mention her name to someone, they actually bare their teeth. A visceral reaction. I posted the
anti-Hillary cartoon sent to me by a friend in the Czech Republic. Her infamy is worldwide.
Not long after, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found Democrats preferred Hillary 39% as the
next Democratic nominee - and she says she is not running! Joe Lieberman garnered 13% and
Dick Gephardt 10%.
Apparently, the people who voted in the poll for Hillary Clinton never paid any attention to her
past, and to her continued mean-spirited method of being a political spokesman.
I am unaware of any significant contribution she has made since becoming a Senator, but perhaps
I have turned a blind eye. Her previous accomplishments? Zero. Nada. That is, unless you want
to count her tenure as the director of the Legal Services Corporation under Carter. The GAO
determined that under Hillary's direction, the LSC gave illegal grants and performed illegal acts
to support political causes with taxpayer dollars in violation of her oath.
Do these folks not remember her clandestine working group that tried to foist Socialized
medicine off on the American electorate?
Have they forgotten her role in ruining a fine man's life and career in the White House
Travelgate matter?
Have they forgotten her "amazing luck" in turning a modest investment into about $100,000 in
the market?
Do any of these people who "admire" her or put her high in presidential polls know how to read?
If so, are they in denial?
Have these people not read?:
"Unlimited Access," by Gary Aldrich, "The First Partner," by Joyce Milton, "Uncovering
Clinton," by Michael Isikoff, and "The Case Against Hillary Clinton," by Peggy Noonan - to
name a few.
(The Christian Science Monitor called Noonan's book "too catty to enjoy." The reviewer also
mentioned in passing "Hillary's Choice," "Hell to Pay," "First In His Class," and "The Agenda,"
if you run out of books to read on the subject. Another web review spoke of "The Method to
Hillary's Madness." I am getting behind in my Hillary reading. )
Selfishly, I just don't want to go through nearly two years of pressing the Mute button on the
remote and closing my eyes when she is on TV. She simply nauseates me. I have said privately
many times that if Hillary runs, I hope I am either dead or living out of the country. It literally
would drive me insane to watch and listen to her day-after-day-after-day. There are some
Democrats I listen to with interest, such as John Kerry and Joe Biden - among others.
Please don't subject this country to a daily, two-year, onslaught of old venom-mouth on TV. She
makes Sen. Daschle look like an altar boy. Stop telling her how popular she is. That deck is
somehow stacked. But, she will start believing the hype.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Richard C. Rhodes
You are welcome to quote sections from this page - or the whole page, as long as the source URL is included. Of course, I would be flattered if anyone linked to this page. It is very hard to be the writer, editor, fact checker, copy editor, and publisher of anything. So, I beg your forgiveness for the many mistakes that creep in.
Suggested Reading From Past Columns
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Richard C. Rhodes
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