And so it has come to this: I, uh… am one of the lucky people in the world; I found something I always wanted to do, and I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I want to thank the gentlemen who’ve shared this stage with me for thirty years, Mr. Ed McMahon… Mr. Doc Severinsen… and… you people watching, I can only tell you that it has been an honor and a privilege to come into your homes all these years and entertain you—and I hope when I find something that I want to do, and I think you would like, and come back, that you’ll be as gracious in inviting me into your home as you have been. I bid you a very heartfelt good night.
Johnny Carson’s closing words on his final Tonight Show appearance on May 22, 1992. American comedian and talk show host, Johnny Carson, was born on this day in 1925 (died 2005).
Late night television has never been the same, nor as classy, since Carson left the airways.
I’m not dissing the current round of late night hosts. Truth is, I couldn’t do that fairly since I don’t stay up to watch. I’ve seen some clips. Sometimes they’re funny. Most of what I’ve seen are profanity-laced political rants.
I’m no prude, and I’ve shared more than my fair share of political rants, but when that’s all you get?
Like I said, I don’t watch. Apparently, that’s not all you get.
But, quite honestly, I’m not inclined to watch when I hear that one host as a segment called “What’s in My Pants?”
Oh how far we’ve come from Carnac the Magnificent.
Maybe I’m old. Maybe I’m too conservative. But, I’m not interested. I’m not judging you if you are.
Don’t get me wrong. They can say and broadcast whatever they want. I just choose not to listen or watch.
That, my good friends, is what the First Amendment is all about.
It’s about Freedom of Speech. Not about the freedom to not to be offended.
Some of y’all need to learn that.
I mean some, perhaps not amongst my loyal readers, but you know these folks, some are so obsessed with the current occupant of The White House that they’re going to burst a blood vessel if they don’t stop complaining.
You know I didn’t support him in the nominating process, and in fact made it clear at that point that I would not vote for him. I didn’t vote for him in the general election.
But I grow weary of post after post on Facebook and Twitter being eff-Trump for this or eff-Trump for that.
It’s even worse when people react to things he didn’t really say. And that happens every day.
I’m not asking anyone to change their political views. I’m asking you to think before you react, and think twice before you post.
Let’s face it, regardless of your political persuasion, #fakenews is more than just a hashtag.
Whether it’s the documentable bias of the mainstream media, some of whom have made it their mission (also documentable) to tear down this Presidency, or it’s the abundance of false news sources (it ain’t just the Russians) on social media, all I’m asking is that you verify something before you go off blasting your response.
And, let me be very clear. This is a bipartisan problem. It happens on both sides.
Look, we can’t depend on the “official” media or the government “leaders” to do this for us. In many cases, they’re putting things out there for the specific purpose of getting a reaction.
If, after a year in office and the campaign before that, you haven’t realized that’s exactly what Donald Trump is doing, then you’re not paying attention.
He knows exactly what he’s doing. So do The New York Times and The Washington Post.
And you’re falling for it. Every single day.
Don’t get me wrong, I have as well. I’m just a little more cautious these days, and a lot more selective about what I will and won’t share.
Not everything is a crisis. Not everything is a fire that needs to be put out.
But nothing is going to change as long as we keep overreacting.
Don’t change your views. Don’t change your message.
Resist if you must. But, pace yourself. He’s going to be President for at least another three years.
Yes, yes he is.
I didn’t know that I was going to get this political with this post. It’s Monday, okay it’s Sunday when I’m writing this. I’m coming off of a weekend with the injury (described on Friday), as well as a weekend of poor food choices. And, darn it, I can tell.
Anyway, pace yourself on the posts. I’ll attempt to do the same.
We’ll get through this.
AND, FINALLY…
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor, Dwight Yoakam, was born on this day in 1956.
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