Bob Perlow at work |
What has befallen Republican State Representative Bob Watson — arrested for driving under the influence and caught with marijuana in his car — is not all that surprising to me.
I don't enjoy saying this, because I genuinely like the man. But whenever I hear those in public life spouting off about "family values" — a tight-assed white boy formulation wherein all those who are hungry, cold, and have struggled in a world where peace and justice never seems to come their way, and pain, fear, and all manner of suffering is a daily visitor — I know that these people (in a phrase they like to use) "don't get it."
Indeed, the unfortunate tendency to explain to everybody else the proper way to live is a dead giveaway that you are full of shit.
Bob Watson’s mugshot |
Watson, as you may recall, made headlines for this bit of commentary on the direction of public policy in Rhode Island: "I suppose if you're a gay man from Guatemala who gambles and smokes pot, you probably think that we're onto some good ideas here." Does he regret that statement? I doubt it. People who make these sorts of statements rarely do. That so many are attracted to public life, with all its empty pomp and glory, is probably part of the package.
It reminds me of the radio talk host, the Independent Mannequin, John DePetro. He makes no secret of his disdain for me. He spent an inordinate amount of time a few months back doing everything in his power to make my life miserable. And what happened? My life has never been richer and more joyful and he is still out there besmirching whoever is in his line of fire, planting little poison apple seeds like a demented John Chapman.
And why has my life taken such a wonderful turn for the better? Because I immediately stepped up and took full responsibility for what I have said and done, while all the bad karma cases I'm talking about continue to furiously scapegoat, blame, and shift the attention to everyone but themselves. I say just tell the truth and the truth will set you free.
Don't these people understand that living in a 24/7 world of hypocrisy and lies never works?
LATEST DISPATCH FROM YOYO WORLD
There's an old, much covered Piano Red song that goes, "You've got the right string, baby, but the wrong yoyo." It popped into my mind on Sunday morning while viewing WPRI-TV's Newsmakers interview with former Providence mayor and current Congressman David "Little Chi Chi" Cicilline.
Cheech was trying, once again, to explain the massive disconnect between his Congressional campaign rhetoric ("so proud" of his work as Providence head ramrod) and the knowledge that the city is in total financial ruin; facts and figures all readily available while he was running for Congress but denied at the time (and none too artfully).
Judging by the evidence presented on Newsmakers, Cheech's 'Splainin' to Do Tour 2011 is not going too well. Under intensive grilling from host Tim White and the panelists — former attorney general, former radio talk host, and newly minted playwright, "Ahhh-lene" Violet and WRNI's Ian "I'm going to every Red Sox home game this year and to hell with the job" Donnis — Cheech increasingly looked like some palooka who just stepped into the ring with Muhammad Ali, circa 1965.
