Davy Crockett, Jason Almire, principle, prevarication

It was a sadness this morning to read of the death of Fess Parker, who played the part of Davy Crockett in the 1950s, although I must admit I wasn't aware that he was still alive.

I got a Davy Crockett coonskin cap for Christmas one year and wore it proudly. This seems now a little strange because I lived in a sub-tropical part of Australia where wearing fur hats in the 90 degree heat wasn't common and, moreover, raccoons don't live in Australia. I probably should have put a local marsupial on my head. On reflection, my cap was probably made from rabbit fur - lots of rabbits in Australia - and those stripes were probably painted on.

Anyway, I am sorry to see Fess Parker go.

It was sadness this evening to read of the political death of Rep. Jason Altmire, who announced that he would vote against the health care bill, although I must admit that I thought he was already politically dead thanks to his general spinelessness and lack of principle.

I probably should go and put a dunce's hat on my head for once supporting him.

Here's a guy who came into Congress largely on the strength of his alleged health care expertise and he will again vote against the only chance of meaningful health care reform we will see in our lifetimes.

I suppose he is doing this because he thinks his constituents don't support the reform, but I am one of his constituents and I do support it - and my friends in the district mostly do too. I suppose he thinks the great cohort of anti-reform folks will thank him for his opposition by voting to re-elect him.

No, I don't think so. They will have a real conservative on the ballot and they are likely to gravitate to that person, knowing that they will get someone of principle, not a consultor of opinion polls. And those who did support him will just stay home or write in Davy Crockett's name.

Anyway, I am sorry to see him go, but not very sorry.

You can discuss this issue on your own for the next week - and also the big vote on health care reform scheduled for Sunday. In fact, feel free to discuss any topic - Andy Warhol perhaps? - I am off on vacation. (I will have a column next Wednesday but that was written in advance, so do not be fooled into thinking  I was so nostalgic for this place and came back early.)

I will return on Monday, March 29, and will read your comments with interest (one of my colleagues will monitor the blog while I am gone but otherwise you are on your own).

I intend to get Brahms and Liszt a few times while I am away - no need to explain that to you after Yinzerati's tutorial on Cockney rhyming slang and you can google it now if you still don't understand (hey, Yinzerati, did you learn to play cricket in your time in England? My team is looking for a few good players).

See you in a week.