After Prof. Bainbridge discussed George Friedman and asked “Why Iraq?“, Professor
Yabut sought the wisdom of Kinky Friedman from ‘Scuse Me While I Whip This Out :
Reflections on Country Singers, Presidents and Other Troublemakers, which was published
last month. Although the Kinkster doesn’t tell us “Why Iraq?”, he undercovers an Iraqi-Cuban
connection in London that must surely concern George W. Bush — “Phil the Tobbaconist
mentioned that Fidel Castro personally supplies Cuban cigars to Saddam Hussein.” (at p. 83).
K. Friedman has smoked cigars in the White House with both Bill Clinton and Geo. W. Bush
(but I will nonetheless hold my nose and plug him).
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can hear samples from Friedman’s first
classics as “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed” and
“High On Jesus.” Also, check out his 2003 dvd,, Proud to Be an A**Hole
fly away, firefly
my hut’s smoky!
smoky!
the great temple’s
smoking ban…
spring rain
the nightingale
makes a face in the smoke…
mountain home
Kobayahsi ISSA, translated by David G. Lanoue
Kinky Friedman . . .
A far more serious note about Iraq comes today from NYT columnist Nicholas D. Kristof:
“Iraqis are paying a horrendous price for the good intentions of well-meaning
conservatives who wanted to liberate them. And now some well-meaning
American liberals are seeking a troop withdrawal that would make matters even
worse.”
. . .
“Those hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children, whose lives we placed at risk by
invading their country, are the reasons we should remain in Iraq, until we can hand
over security to a local force. Saving hundreds of thousands of lives is a worthy
cause to risk American lives for, even to die for. “
To close with a smile: Happy 1st Brithday to Tyler, our favorite Bag Boy!
Reach for the moon, Tyler! As the great Issa enscribed on his self-portrait:
Gimme that moon!
cries the crying
child
