I was listening to Sunday morning press programs and the thought came to mind that political conflict, worse now than ever in history (or so it seems) are destroying this country.

I also had the thought that there are only ever three reasons for the way people deal with opposite views:

Those avoiding cooperation and behaving in obstructionist ways are

1. ignorant or unaware
2. incompetent or not very intelligent
3. fully aware and intelligent and acting in self-serving ways because their political (or other) agenda is more important than the relationship (or in this case, the welfare of our country).

The above holds true for many interactions. I am reminded of one ill-considered relationship where my friend mimicked in his responses that famous line of Jimmy Durante’s, “What elephant?” Since I knew him to be intelligent, I finally realized he was jerking me around and I quit. And, yes, it took longer than it should have so I might as well have been stupid for all the good my intellect did me. The hardest thing ever for me is to listen to my left brain when my right brain is going ga-ga.

Here’s another thought on the brain. Whenever things go wrong with me physically, they are most often on the left side. My theory is that my left brain pays attention and makes sure things work okay on the right side of my body. My right brain, that arty little funk, is always out to lunch, in the clouds, fanning, feeling g-0-0-0-d and not tending to business. (I’ll get you one day, Right Brain.)

Meanwhile, I am guessing that a lot of people are euphoric about the Saints win last night. I am in favor of feeling good about a win that also inspires and I am happy for New Orleans. They sure needed this and I did watch that defining moment when the intercept turned into a touchdown.

My alternate viewing when the commercial came on was the story about the mad and mentally ill Caligula. He makes even foam-at-the-mouth Rush Limbaugh look sane. Caligula was knifed to death with the complicity of his sisters and they also killed his wife and young daughter to be sure there would be no future threat. I can’t say they didn’t have a point. He was brutal. But that was ancient Rome so I guess Sarah is safe.

xx, Teal