May I Be Blunt?

Hey, kids!

It’s Monday, a day riddled with contemplation, a day often dreaded and a day with a really bad rap. Rainy days and Mondays – sing it Karen!

I love the Carpenters. And while I could go on and on about the pleasure I derive from pop-infused slightly-bitter song-stlyings, Pucci-inspired ankle length skirts, Richard’s massive sideburns and big-teethed drummers with anorexia, I’m not feeling that today.

Today, I feel the need to share news of actual value and take a stroll down etymology lane.

The word that’s top of mind this morning, given this weekend’s merriment and last week’s political maneuverings:

BLUNT

Check out the Webster’s and you’ll find blunt defined like this:
-- Slow or deficient in feeling: INSENSITIVE, obtuse in understanding or discernment: DULL
-- Having an edge or point that is not sharp
-- Abrupt in speech or manner, being straight to the point: DIRECT

What you won’t find, though, is this:

-- The surname of Missouri’s enfant terrible governor, Matt Blunt – who is a combination of the first two definitions, yet is sorely lacking in the latter.

Before we begin the Blunt blog-bashing, let me say there’s a new blunt in my life that I’d like to give a special nod: Mayorga Coffee Infused Cigars.

Yes, kids!

You can now smoke your caffeine. In four distinct international flavors, even. They’re yummy good -- if you like coffee, smoking, chocolatey-smoothness and a cheap buzz.

Now, back to matters at hand:

I’d like to point out the consequences for those folks who voted for Governor Matt Blunt last November.

Look at what you did last week:

• Sudafed is on it’s way to becoming a Schedule-A Narcotic. Thank goodness one cheap buzz has been replaced by another. Read about it here.
• Governor Blunt signed laws restricting consumer freedom in matters of real estate even though the Federal Trade Commission and Jutice Department urged his veto. Read about that here and here.
• Governor Blunt signed laws that gave protections to certain utility companies, just trying to make it in a non-competitive, monopolistic kinda way. Read that story here.
• You cannot see a decent strip show or get a decent lap dance in Missouri anymore. Read about that here.
• Political lobbyists, including the Governor’s brother, now have an easier time than ever buying votes and influence peddling. Read about it here.
• Giant telecom got more gigantic. That story is here.
• By the way, Blunt’s brother is a lobbyist for giant telecom, too. See the bottom of this story.
• New laws that would have made Blunt’s brother report his pro-business lobbying activities surprisingly got vetoed. Read about that here.

So, congratulations to all the Blunt supporters out there – including you gay republicans – you really made a difference in the life of ordinary citizens who wanted more accountability from their elected officials.

You really did so very much to further the expectations of responsible behavior from corporations.

You did so…so…very much that all I can think of is how much I’d love to show you my appreciation with a blunt instrument. But that would be too much like clobbering dim-witted seals. And I’m decidedly non-violent.

I’ll just choose to use this keyboard as my sword, when time allows. I’m trying to keep my verbal skills honed and sharp, honey.

Sometimes being blunt can be a virtue instead of a vice.