Gene Cox's Hogwash

ABORTION

 (unknown anchor looks gravely at the camera)

 The abortion issue this week at the General Assembly was settled, but not resolved.  Gene Cox has some observations.

 (gene looks at a different camera, as if knows something)    

 Generally speaking when a political leader comes down on either side of a hot button issue….he or she loses. That is especially true in religious maters, which this week meant abortion.

 (video of demonstrations and a nervous governor)

 Governor McDonnell could have avoided the no-win debate…he should have taken the opportunity to go on a trade mission to Cameroon.  An aide could have stayed behind and waffled for him.   What was going on at the Virginia State House provided wins only for John Daley and Saturday Night Live.  In the end, the reluctant abortion compromise pleased no one.  And it meant both sides could say of the Governor, he’s not really one of us. Not a good label for a possible Vice Presidential candidate.

 (gene again, as if he really intends to say something)

 The same common sense holds true for commentators. Do I have an opinion on abortion?  Of course I do. Would I tell you what it is? No way.  The chances are overwhelming that while some of you will like what I had to say, others would dismiss me as an idiot. I am not interested in being dismissed, or being called an idiot, and I’m not interested in telling anyone that they’re wrong….especially if I may be the one who’s wrong.  Absolute knowledge is a rare thing, despite protestations to the contrary.

            Next year the abortion issue will be back before the General Assembly because both sides are determined to resolve this matter once and for all.  They want to take another whack at it. But don’t hope for a resolution that pleases everyone. That, will never happen. 

And if asked, I will once again avoid a direct answer, because a made-up mind is not something I like to fool with.

 I’m Gene Cox.

Boomer Magazine has put me on as a writer, I am flattered because Boomer is good stuff.  The Feb-March issue features the first column, Starvin Marvin. It is a true story flavored by thought worth pondering.  I will write something new for the  April-May issue, but until then enjoy Starvin Marvin and don’t hesitate to tell me what I don’t understand. 

Boomer is a free magazine, who can argue with that.  I don’t make a lot for writing my little stories, but I enjoy the opportunity.  In the coming months I may do a bit of commercial work, largely because I need the money. But WalMart is cutting back and my hoped for future as a greeter is no longer likely. When I retired one of the first things that I noticed was that regular pay checks stopped coming. I knew that would happen but didn’t really believe it. Oh well, poverty is highly overrated so I will sell a widget here and there.  As for journalism, I appreciate Boomer for giving me the opportunity to keep on keeping on.

 The day I realized I could not write a great American novel was the day I found freedom from unjustified ambition.  With that thought, a few more like it, and a good plot, the novel might come to pass.  But it is not to be. “The Sunset Lounge” is the best I have, and except for a few appreciative readers, it never sprouted legs. But that’s ok. I have seen the mountain top and realized I am a valley dweller. For me now, there is peace in the valley. I will watch the assent of others and appreciate their work. I am a Twitter guy. I will tweet, taking refuge in a well coined thought now and then, and be flattered when someone finds value in my wordage.  Wordage, now there’s a word you don’t hear often.

Having lamented thus, I still say “The Sunset Lounge” is not a bad read.

Danica Patrick has parlayed mediocrity into a small fortune.  

Ok, here we go again. I will host the new MeTv channel starting Monday at noon. Channel 208 Comcast, 460 FIOS. This is all about old TV shows that were so good they deserve to be seen again. M.A.S.H, Gunsmoke, I love Lucy and the like.  I believe that some of this stuff was the best ever written for TV, and thus worth a re-run. Keep in mind that Gunsmoke ran for 20 years, 1955-1975….and nothing has ever matched that. The shows will air 24/7, so take  your pick and enjoy. If I endorse a product or service don’t worry about it, I will only endorse things that I know to be good….no snake oil. Besides, I have to make a living. As far as i am concerned, retirement is a dirty word.

Mitt’s dad ran for the Republican nomination for president in 1967. He was doing ok until he said he had been “brainwashed” about the war in Viet Nam. True, he had been….as had been most of us. But George admitted it and suddenly he was an also-ran. The American people did not want a president who could be brainwashed.  

One poorly chosen word can change history…doesn’t matter whether its true or not. So, we got Trick Dick instead.

Marching Once More, a World War II documentary, produced by Brenda Hughes and narrated by Gene Cox will air Thursday (January 12th) on WCVE Public Television at 10PM.  The story focuses on the Battle of the  Bulge through the eyes of veterans who fought in that terrible battle and lived to tell about.

Tim Tebow’s religious message got a lot of attention this week because of that incredible pass in overtime.  One might conclude that God is a Bronco fan, though Tebow didn’t say that.  Tebow seems to be a nice guy, even if he wears it on his sleeve too much. But if Denver loses the next game, wise observers might conclude that God is not necessarily involved in the NFL. Some of us think that already. 

I have severed my remaining ties with Channel 12 Television.

         It is a bitter pill, after 33 years, but the start of a new year seemed a good time to start something new. Not sure what it will be, but I am confident there is a new life out there.  If not, I will go into that uncertain night feeling good about the career I had at 12. 

         I’m sorry it came to this, but alas….it’s time.