Way, way back in the middle of the last century, I learned something in college which my fraternity brothers referred to as “The Art Of Bull S—.”
If and when a professor asks an essay question to which you do not know the answer, start with something else and try to segue something — anything — into the area of the original question. Of course, the person grading your paper will know exactly what you are doing, but he will almost always give you partial credit for your efforts.
Now here we are, more than half a century later and we find people in politics responding the same way. Don’t know the answer to a question — answer something else and try to move on.
Interviewing Democratic National Committee head Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D–Florida), Chris Matthews asked her what the difference is between Democrats and Socialists. Not knowing the answer to the question, Mrs. Wasserman-Schultz immediately started answering something else.
Nice try, but wrong. You might be able to get away with trying that on an assistant professor, but not Matthews. He stopped her and asked the question again, and once again she did not know the answer. Three times and motor-mouth Matthews moved on with another question. After watching the clip several times I am convinced that Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Stanley P. Gershbein are fraternity brothers.
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This is not an opinion — just some facts from the New York Times that might be worth thinking about. Researchers say that fetal tissue is a rich source of stem cells and is being used to study organ replacement, AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and muscular dystrophy. Last year the National Institutes of Health spent $76 million on medical research using fetal tissue, by giving grants to more than 50 universities. Hey there, Bill O’Reilly. This just might give us something to think about and perhaps become worthy of discussion on “The Factor.” I am not against Planned Parenthood. I am against it being supported by my taxes.
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Carly Fiorina has never held public office. Neither has Donald Trump or Dr. Ben Carson. The current polls of the three, as of this writing, are 19 percent for Mr. Trump, 12 percent for Dr. Carson and 10 percent for Mrs. Fiorina. Three nonpoliticians are leading the pack with a total of 41 percent. Why?
Could it be that Americans have grown tired of politics as usual and want leaders that speak for them, not for their party? I do. I want my elected officials to fix the immigration system and prosecute those illegals who break laws. Stop this nonsense of deporting them back where they came from but then looking the other way when they return. How many more murders will it take to make Washington wake up?
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My roommate and I do a lot of traveling. Therefore, so as not to miss a deadline, my columns are always written and submitted very early. At the very time that you will be reading this, Carol and I will be touring Butte, Mont., or Boise, Idaho. Carol wants to visit all 57 states.
We both know that there are only fifty states but, as she says, “If my president can say 57, so can I.”
Please, I beg you, do not write and tell me why he said 57. I googled it and read the same thing that you did, and I already know why.
We have already visited 43 states, some twice and some three times. This is a great country and there really is a lot to do and see here. Put Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls on your bucket list. The travel does not have to be expensive and if you use your credit card to save frequent flier miles, you can get anywhere free of charge.
When we told people we’d be in Idaho, everyone had the same remark: “Bring me a potato.”
I am StanG
