Songs

Song and Dance

55 Comments

It could very well turn out this Friday that the never ending struggle for control in Washington will express itself in a federal government shutdown of uncertain duration.

The key factor in any political battle like this is, of course, who gets blamed for it.

This is the same old song and dance, so naturally it made me think of an old song and dance from the Broadway musical of the mid ’60’s that starred Angela Lansbury for so many years – Mame!

Yes, it’s an extremely dated reference that would be lost on anyone under the age of 50, but here’s a special ironic bonus – the original book, play and musical had a strong depression era theme of resilience in the face of financial catastrophe!

Video of the signature song as performed by Ms. Lansbury isn’t available on You Tube, but here’s a case where a fan valiantly tried to match the official soundtrack with some jumpy images of the show.

I hope there’s enough there to remind you of Jerry Herman’s catchy tune so you can sing along with new lyrics for the 112th Congress, as all its members attempt to leave people on the other side of the aisle holding the bag.

You caused the government to shut down. Blame!
The major industry in this town. Blame!
Our Medicare’s suspended,
And Medicaid is out of money too!
There’s nothing in our pockets
except a governmental IOU.

There’s just one thing we have to assign. Blame!
It must be yours ‘cause it can’t be mine. Blame!
There’s no recourse and nothing to
do except connect this to a name.
We’re handing you the title, gents.
Making this yours is vital, gents.
You’ve taken our entitlements! Blame!

You’ve cut things far too close to the bone. Blame!
You’ve spent too much. It’s time to atone. Blame!
Our brilliant plan will fix it
Unless you thwart us like you always do.
We can’t be held responsible
‘long as we can pin this mess on you!

There’s nothing left that we can discuss. Blame!
Let’s point our fingers, sputter and cuss. Blame!
We’ve shaped a simple narrative
Making you the villain in this game.
Consider yourself battled with …
Our hearts and brains are addled with …
We’ll see that you get saddled with … Blame!

Is it ever polite to point?

55 thoughts on “Song and Dance”

  2. Rise and Shine Baboons:

    Certainly it is expected to point should you be a hunting dog. That is, of course, your job! Or should a mugger run by with a stolen purse, you must point him/her out to the cop. And when your husband stands peering into the refrigerator asking, “Where’s the butter?” and it is very obviously right there in front of his nose, of course you (I) point to it in an exasperated manner.

    But in this political mess created by We the People, maybe we should be looking in the mirror.

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    1. Thanks Jacque,
      I am reminded of the old Junior High adage that when you point at someone in accusation, you have 3 fingers pointing back at yourself.

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  3. Its time to start the campaign again for term limits Dale!! Just voting them out of office every time isn’t sufficient. Its too wasteful of that precious commodity – time. In this instance it directly correlates to massive suffering.

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    1. Thanks for joining the conversation, scoleturbo.

      I take this to mean you approve of pointing, and in this case, pointing at the Lot of Them.
      If one assumes the struggle to set priorities always will (and should) go on, I wonder how term limits would change the political calculus. Might it have the possibly undesirable effect of giving more power to bureaucrats and lobbyists, who do not go away?

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    2. I’m not sure term limits will do it. These opinions are a dime a dozen. The problem is there is no filter from the brain to the legislation. It used to be brain to mouth now skip a step and welcome the tea party. The right wing needed partners to jam their no tax for the rich agenda and thought they could steer the poor weak little special interests as they pleased. Now the tail wags the dog.

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  4. Good morning to all:

    I agree with Jacque on putting some of the blame on the person in the mirror. Of course, it would help if we were not always being lied to by politicans, and if our news media gave us better news, and if Wall Street and big bussiness weren’t allowed use their money and influence to control much of our government, and if, and if, and……
    Maybe it is best to get off this topic. On the other hand, if the person in the mirror shares some of the blame, I guess we can’t avoid doing some finger pointing including pointing out our own failures and our own responsibilities.

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  5. OT Baboons:

    I just came in from my walk with the dog. I saw many, many cardinals this morning, brilliant, loud and flashy. Then in the midst of those show-offish birds flew a bald eagle. I see many of them these days in my own neighborhood. When I see them I usually feel, “It will be alright. It will work out.”

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    1. I don’t see very many bald eagles here in Fereeborn county, but I do see a few. We see large numbers of pelicans here when they are migrating in the spring and fall. I think my reaction to seeing a big group of pelican is similar to your reaction to seeing the eagles. There is something special about seeing large wild birds, like eagles and pelicans, massed together.

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    2. We see many bald eagles here in Waterville. They hang out in the trees near Upper Sakatah Lake. There are several active nests in Le Sueur County. It’s always good to see them around – you’re right Jacque. They really send a positive message about determination, strength and will.

      We have had ospreys at our fish hatchery for the last two years. They have actually been around here much longer but a pair decided to nest three years ago. Their first nest failed. The second nest produced three chicks, one of which died in the fledgling stage. We created a taller nest pole and secured the nearby power poles to prevent injury. There were two fledglings in the nest last summer. The adult pair usually returns in March. I haven’t seen them yet.

      I’m a huge fan of raptors.

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  6. I am doing a lot of pointing this morning since I have laryngitis. I seem to be prone to this when I nave a bad cold-I guess it’s because I talk for a living. All I can muster is a croaky whisper. I am told that whispering is bad for your vocal chords, so I am staying home and pointing at my animals to do my bidding today. We’ll see how well that works. I noticed yesterday that the lemon thyme was out from under the snow and was green and fragrant. That’s a lovely harbinger of good things to come, I think. have a great day, baboons!

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      1. Thank you very much. I really don’t feel that sick, but I know that if go in and talk to people, I will be out of a voice for much longer than if I stay home today. Why do I feel guilty?

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    2. I saw a wonderful commercial with a couple cowboys doing a live performance sitting on a couple of stools one playing guitar one singing tobacco doesn’t always kill using one of those microphones stuck up next to the ho,e in his neck. Kind of like bens farmers yesterday, could be worse but I just loved the commercial.

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  7. Morning.

    It’s a beautiful day out there! Most of my snow banks have disappeared and I’m feeling more confident that it’s OK to take the snow fence down and unhook the snow blower.

    But finger pointing? Oh…. I don’t know about that.
    Watching a political satire from Netflix called ‘In the Loop’– quite fun.

    Enjoy the day if you’re able!

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  8. Morning all. Nice work, Dale… I can’t believe how nicely the Mame and Blame mesh together. (I worked on Mame once so have a soft spot for it, although on opening night, it was during this very scene that one of the dancers in the back row stepped back too far and fell into one of the background flats and it toppled over!)

    I have, for many years, believed that we’re electing the wrong people – that the desire to be elected automatically disqualifies you from public office. I think we should get together, find a strong leader/business person whom we think would do a good job and then force that person to take office. And tell them that if they don’t do a good job, we’ll make them stay in office a second term!

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    2. and of course, that sort of person would feel honor-bound to do a good job at all costs. Sounds extremely cruel to sacrifice one good person and their family for the good of society.

      and the really sticky wicket-who determines what is “a good job” and when they have done it?

      I am afraid we have become too large and diverse a society to be governed by any but the thickest of skinned.

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      2. TeeHee. Who would be the president? I’ve recently been fantasizing about seceding from the union and joining Canada. We could be South Canadia!

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      5. Do you think minnesota would really elect pawlenty an Bachman as our leaders of the new country of Minnesota. Id have to consider leaving

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  9. I’d like to point out that Baboons are far too polite to point. This Congress is also wise, prudent, honest and sensitive. As Dale pointed out, these are not the typical characteristics of politicians, who thrive on making pointed remarks. I’d prefer to point toward a return to sane, articulate, informed conversations that do not point out faults or lay blame on anyone else’s name, for shame!

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  10. It isn’t smart to count upon finger pointing to set things right. It is better to create a society where people are motivated to do the right thing rather than emphasizing the blame game, which is inevitably lame.

    That said . . . Holy oil spill, Batman, can you believe this? From yesterday’s news:

    The explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig killed 11 people last summer and resulted in an open well that gushed crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico for 86 days.

    Transocean Ltd., owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, recently awarded millions of dollars in bonuses to its executives after “the best year in safety performance in our company’s history,” according to an annual report and proxy statement released on March 22.

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    1. Can we make some pointed comments without being accused of being too involved in finger pointing? If those Transocean executives can get big bonuses for their saftety record, maybe the company should get an award for it’s outstanding record on protecting the environment.

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      2. 7 pm and checking in for the first time today….
        Kona had a Boy last night and today i spent the time over at the triplet’s new owners – Crema had twins this late afternoon – a buckling and a doeling SO CUTE!!!!!
        we are done here – yipeee

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      3. Congratulations, Barb and Steve! Nice to have everyone accounted for, and the fact that they’re cute is a wonderful bonus!

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    4. 1. Buried in the move, much of which I did myself. Still trying to get new place in order, after rushing to get old one ready for transfer, and then there’s the legal stuff. A couple of knotty problems arose right on the 31st, which was also our grandson’s sixth birthday, and my wife’s was the 27th. I am too old for this.
      2. Do not really have network set up at home yet.
      3. Been busy helping out my daughter with some emergencies.
      4. Have agreed to do a bit of interim supply at a small church, and it is Lent on top of it. Very nice group of people who were stuck. Could not say no but should have.
      5. Some tax issues unrelated to move arose last week.
      6. Grandparents Day at grandkids’ school on Friday.
      But have been sort of following along . . . well . . . sort of.

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      2. always ask a busy person to help get it done. thye know how to do it. hang in there . one foot in front of the other is the only option isn’t it?

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  12. As a student of cultural anthropology, my immediate response to the question at hand is, “in what culture?” Miss Manners might say that one should not point when out in polite society (at least in the United States). Clearly, however, the political and business arenas are not polite society (alas).

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  13. It’s OK to point when demonstrating who is doing something right. (I just made that up.)
    Remember Oblio in The Point (Nilsson) — he had to point whenever he bent over… and would be able to catch the ring with his head in Ring Toss.

    OT: Back from April 1 Wedding and Road Trip. I see I have a lot of catch-up reading to do. Tomorrow.

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