Beaches and Beans
If and when Gavin Newsom gets replaced as the governor of California, mostly due to his disastrous policies or feckless leadership, I dare not speculate of him ever leaving politics. We Americans have a history of forgiving or forgetting the indiscretions, idiocies and intellectual lapses of our elected officials. On the flip side of that coin, we also have the tendency and good common sense to show the snake oil salespeople to the door and giving them the heave ho.
The odds for him obtaining other varieties of future employment, however, are extremely strong and he will probably not suffer because of poor forestry management practices. He may not be the sole initiator of the decisions that caused the fiasco, but I doubt if he pushed back against them with very much effort.
There are dozens – maybe hundreds, of hair care companies in the Los Angeles metro that would love to have Mr. Newsom as their spokesperson. Knowing what “product” he uses might have been useful to me once; that ship has already sailed.
The movie star smile and scratchy western cowboy voice is made for the silver screen. The misbehaving cattlemen in the saloon harassing the young matrons wouldn't stand a chance against his frontier justice; and if his fists or firearms weren't an adequate persuasion for them to straighten up, he could just talk them into submission; this mornings “Meet the Press” interview is a prime example.
The reporter's questions were direct and hard hitting, showing little if any sympathy for the embattled Governor. He – Newsom, had a choreographed upper body routine with expressive, fairly impressive, use of his hands, arms and shoulders. “We’ll pull in all the resources necessary to help,” he said with passion while he reached outward and then hugging his own chest.
“A well-rounded attack to stop the blazes that still burn and then a coordinated effort to assist anyone in need after such tremendous loss,” as he appears to grasp an imaginary globe, holding it skyward.
“We are a people with monumental fortitude and resilience; this is a tragic setback, but it will only lead to a brilliant comeback. We fight and we win," continuously punching his open palms to accentuate the point.
His facial gestures along with his well-balanced use of the upper appendages could possibly be a foretelling as a sign language professional, standing alongside the next new mayor.
Setting aside the humorous barbs toward Gavin, what occurred on the west coast truly is horrendous and people are suffering and will continue to suffer. The rich and famous, yes, they also hurt, but they probably have other means.
The less financially fortunate among them do not. Living and working in Malibu and the Palisades for five years when I was a younger man, I met and socialized with all the various economic groups, residents of mansions and trailer courts, some famous, most not. All of them people, laughing and sharing with a goofy kid from far away.
The hills of Topanga Canyon, the twisting narrow roads through hidden neighborhoods, the razor sharp streets lined with palm trees and electric gates; a Rolls Royce in that driveway and a beater truck with a ladder rack in another. Happiness was never indicative of what vehicle was parked out front.
My memories are mine and a lot of them are in ashes now, but I didn’t lose anything physical or tangible. I probably don’t do it well or often enough, but I do say “thank you, Lord” every day. And I tell Margaret – a lot, that there is no place on earth I'd rather be then here in Osmond.
