Rhubarb Ruminations: Episode 14

I have always maintained that more often than not, a real-life story can indeed be more mind-twisting than any piece of fiction. Just when you thought you’d heard the craziest or most incredible tale, something else pops up to put everything else to shame. Who needs fiction when we have reality? I think that Rhubarb Ruminations should have that as it’s byline - “where truth is stranger than fiction”!

Here are a few more stories that bring true meaning to that phrase.

1. Consider this – there is a possibility (albeit a slim one) that both Sarah Palin and Donald Trump could run for the nomination as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate. If I ever thought that “Alaska 2008” sounded downright bizarre, add “Atlantic City 2012” to the mix. Palin and Perry, or Trump and the Celebrity Apprentice? No, the Presidency is not turning into just another reality TV show, or at least let us hope that is not the case. It could be an interesting battle of hair care products as we head towards the 2012 election. Pantene, Suave, and Rogaine could all become corporate sponsors.

I truly wonder what the collective wisdom of this country is coming to these days if these two people are considered by ANY segment of the population as “front-running candidates”. We must be living in a “reality TV” reality now. Calgon, take me away …

2. This is a tale that somehow I’d missed until Jon Stewart brought it to my attention. There was this little (oh, about 8.5 hours) filibuster given by Senator Bernie Sanders in which he addresses greed and the decline of the middle class. Somehow I missed this in and amongst the useless sound bites of Trump and Palin, Boehner’s tears, the hue and cry over a birth certificate, and Beck’s balderdash. Yes, I was a little out of the loop on this one – but better late to this story than never.

I mention this epic filibuster because it reminded me that there is a possibility that maybe, just maybe, there are still politicians out there that can inspire, and that are doing what is right for the people. It is easy to lose faith in the political process. Government seems to be driven by more special interest groups than you can shake a stick at – and then some. But maybe independents like Sanders can actually wake up this country and remind us that we can move ahead with the principles of our founding fathers, and do so responsibly.

3. To end this episode of the Ruminations, I bring you back to central Texas – Austin, to be exact – for a new national champion. Yes, there is a new national champion in town that represents the sport of, hold on to your seats – pole dancing. National Champion Natasha Wang is an Austin native and Westlake high school graduate and just earned the title.

The US Pole Dance Federation, which holds the National Championship, is “working to create more opportunities for pole dancers to compete in the future”. Apparently, there is a World Pole Sport Championship now as well.

What is next? A lobby to put Pole Dance in the Olympics? Surely this has to be an event that North Americans could dominate!

I can just see the coverage now … a dimly lit room, spotlight on the pole … and chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A” …

In all seriousness (and I say that rather loosely), this is one incredibly athletic event. As for calling it a “sport”, you be the judge. If rhythmic gymnastics can make it to the Olympics, there will always be hope for the Pole Dancers.

Photo credits: kxlly