Not sure why this is happening exactly now. Lack of sleep, probably. Maybe it's because dealing with medical institutions for the last week demonstrates everything that is both right (the people) and wrong (the administrative procedures) in this country - and makes me want to make a difference. It's definitely inspired by hillbrook green's way-beyond-excellent "Cautionary Tale" diary, here
If you haven't read it - please, please do. It's one of the best I've seen in a long time.
I want to believe that the Repubs miscalculated. That they are, just now, about to trip on a banana peel that they accidentally dropped. One that is about to turn their self-righteous, confident swagger into a faceplant on a concrete sidewalk. But they're going to need just a little push. Wanna help?
Things seem to always converge to one point/moment. The 30-year anniv. of the Air Traffic Controllers' Union-busting crime.. the current/upcoming Wisconsin union-busting showdown - both transpiring at the exact period of time that the FAA vanished because Repubs are so smug over getting exactly (sorry, John, 98% of) what they wanted in a budget negotiation that should have never taken place.
I rarely get ideas of what I'd like to see - but I've got one, now.
They got all our $
Now they want your life
We want the FAA restored
NOW!
Now.. can you imagine if every piece of luggage checked in by a Demoncrat (yes, that's intentional - if they've got Satan Sandwiches..) at every airport in the world - for the next 40 days of the House recess - had the above 4 lines emblazoned on it? What if it were just Kossacks? Think it would get some news coverage?
I don't know if someone can picket with a sign at an airport. Would homeland security forces ask that the National Guard be called out?
What if one person with a T-shirt with those words on it was walking back and forth in front of the security check point at every airport while the good folks flying home to Des Moine were sweating out the likelihood of the TSA finding an extra pair of nail clippers in their carry-on luggage. Think they'd notice?
I'm just asking.
Let me leave you with a trivial, but true, parallel - and my proudest moment in Corporate America.
A company for which I once worked banned "Casual Dress Fridays". Salon.com had moved into the building and (I'm guessing) our CEO - Hi Lynn! - didn't want any visitors confusing his employees with the tattoo'd, pierced, punk/goth/hipster crowd with whom we were suddenly sharing the elevators.
On the morning of the first "banned" Friday, as I was thinking of putting on my tie - it suddenly hit me. I grabbed my box of old art supplies - yeah, darn Demoncrat - and, with chalk, black construction paper, "Aquanet" fixative and a total of two words, started my revolution.
I arrived early, and greeted the first dozen or so people that arrived with a smile and an offer: "'Casual Day' armband?", "Need one of these?" Everyone's expression turned from glum resignation to evil grin. "Yeah!", they answered. My 14 or so formal attire accessories were gone in 10 minutes.
Several people poked their head in my cubicle. "Can I see it?" "How do you get the chalk to stay?" "Is it OK if I make one myself?" (This was a really conventional work environment.)
In one week, about 25% of the employees on my floor wore them on Fridays. Many left them tacked up on the walls of their office or cubicles throughout the week. We wore them at lunch, outside the building, and to meetings throughout the floors.
After three weeks, probably about 1/3 of the people had them. After a month, a friendly coworker "warned" me that the CEO "knew about this" because "people on other floors" were wearing them. I never heard directly from Lynn.
Three months later, though, the executive board decided that Casual Fridays were OK, again.
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If you're going to the airport, or have friends or family that are, wear an armband (it only has to fit 3 letters) or decorate your/their luggage. "SAVE THE FAA" - or something.
5 mins. with a thick marker, some white paper and packing tape would do it. It might make a difference. What are they going to do to you/them/us?
I'm just asking. Be a Demoncrat. Let that little creative devil in you show.
Please, take it from here. I've got to phone a few doctors, now, and find out whether it's going to be an epidermal injection, hospitalization or back surgery for my wife in the next few days/week. Interesting times. Not sure if I'm sticking around here. Well, for the long run.. yeah.