Rhubarb Report: Episode 44

I am thankful for the world news. It keeps me fully amused, and it always provides a steady stream of good rhubarb. As they say, it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

With that being said, it is once again time for another episode of the Rhubarb Report. This episode was a tough selection process, but once again, politics. music, and health care reign supreme. Herein you will find discussion of the “haves” – and the “have-nots”. The task is to figure out which one is which!

1. Let’s get right down to it. Let’s take it to the bridge. Oh, sorry, the funk is still coursing through my veins. Last weekend, I had the tremendous privilege to witness some incredible musicianship, or perhaps better called “funks-manship”, at Antones. The Kashmere Stage Band hails from Houston, Texas and have won national championships in high school band competitions. They are now the subject of a feature-length documentary, Thunder Soul, narrated by Jamie Foxx.

I can see why this stage band was considered unbeatable. There were at least 20, if not 30, musicians on stage at any one time -  a full horn section, two drummers, congas, guitar, and bass guitar. They started the show on the street in front of the club, and promptly had the audience in a funk groove for the duration of the show. Having seen James Brown himself years ago, I can say that this band could definitely hold its own with the Godfather Of Soul. They have got soul – and lots of it.

2. Richie Rich, otherwise known as Mitt Romney, may be the first US president to have a Swiss bank account. Does he have something to hide? Are his finances – and his tax rate – his business, or are they now the business of the American public? And when he speaks to the country from his $8 million home, does that help him connect with the average American?

His presidential campaign has presented us with some interesting moments. He has found a way to flip-flop on the Supreme Court health care ruling. Is it a penalty? Or a tax? It’s a penalty. A tax. No. Yes. A tax. A penalty. What is it, Governor Romney? While you’re deciding on that, could you stop complaining about the state of the union and start providing some proposed domestic policy? At some point, he is going to need his very own platform to stand upon. Complaining only gets you so far; having an original solution would speak volumes.

In case you missed it, Patsy Cline made an appearance in the campaign as well. When Ann Romney stands by her man, and complains about those mean, nasty Democrats, it is about as close to heart-warming as we are going to get.

Oh, this campaign is going to get ugly. Really ugly. Hold on to your seats, folks, we’re in for a bumpy ride.

3. In the “Go Ahead And Mess With Texas” category, closely related to the “Health Care Reports That Will Be Ignored By A State Legislature” category, Texas has ranked last in the nation in the quality of health care.

Ouch. Now that is reassuring, isn’t it? I guess someone has to be at the bottom of the list.

I am sure that somewhere in the mix, Governor Perry will tell us that the report has it all wrong and that things are just wonderful in the great state of Texas. If history is correct, he will promptly remind us of the 10th amendment. You know, it’s a state right to have lousy health care, and Texas is just fulfilling those 10th amendment rights. Argh.

Photo credits: Wikipedia