Maggie's Farm

An airplane was about to crash. There were 5 passengers on board, but only 4 parachutes.

The 1st passenger said, "I am Kobe Bryant, the best NBA basketball player. The Lakers need me, and I can't afford to die" So he took the 1st pack and left the plane.

The 2nd passenger, Hillary Clinton said, "I am the wife of a former U.S. President, a NY State Senator and apotential future president. And I am the smartest woman in American history, so America's people don't want me to die." She took the 2nd pack and jumped out of the plane.

The 3rd passenger, Ted Kennedy said, "I am a US Senator, the Democratic Party needs me and my liver still has some good years left." So he grabbed the pack next to him and jumped.

The 4th passenger, Billy Graham, said to the 5th passenger, a 10 year old schoolgirl, "I am old and frail and don't have many years left, and as a Christian I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute."

The girl said, "That's okay. There's a parachute left for you. America's smartest woman took my school bag."

OK, I won't post here, anymore. Be happy!

What in the world? What happened? Have no idea why you wouldn’t accept my apology for somewhat misreading one little thing (but not being rude about it, even so--_)
Have you misread something in return? Did you think a comment at BC was referencing you, because it wasn’t in the least? I stopped giving you inane chat b/c you didn’t like it, and now I’m not commenting here to give you the wide berth you want. But if there was some offense taken the other day, I know not over what. A clue, please. Except on one occasion a few months ago (and for good reason), I’ve shown you nothing but respect and you know it. How can you be so brilliant but not smart? Can’t stop you from denying all or belittling my befuddlement, but please try not to be mean. It doesn’t suit a great guy such as yourself. A little generosity, please.

Btw, I didn’t slander those wonderful WWI poets; in fact, I lauded both their writing and their service. Since them I've read where some friends and family members have spoken of those good soldiers’ private lives a bit, and I don’t take their admission of their kin’s homosexuality as a calumny. In their day, these men (and women) couldn’t be as open about their orientation outside their literary circles, and it must’ve been difficult for them. Gay writers and artists today usually can be quite open, although our soldiers and sports stars still remain very circumspect. Regardless, people have no problem “speculating” over the nature of love poems to opposite gender friends, but any mention of a love between two men or women is considered terrible in certain crowds, almost as if to deny the spirit of who these people were and remake them in our only acceptable image. You’re right, of course, that one shouldn’t idly speculate about private matters or indulge in malicious personal gossip- wholeheartedly, vehemently concur with you there. In the worlds of history and literature studies, however, individuals’ personal lives are examined in minute detail in order to better understand the hows and whys of who they were and what they’ve done and produced. Your complaint about the “calumny” and blood-letting here (which I take it to mean mine, but I wasn’t the cutting instigator) would be better addressed to the English and History Departments at UT and all the other schools. Statement: academia should make no mention of gaydom, especially wrt artists, philosophers and politicians who have served their countries. I’d sign onto such a campaign if it stuck to a no speculation pledge.

:)