Two Good Legs: Testimonials

When Abe first approached me about joining him on this blog, I was ecstatic. I started a blog last year, but I found daily updating it with interesting musings and links to articles too much for one man. He then told me the title and although initially sceptical of the obvious political connotations, I've warmed up to FDR's "Two Good Legs" quote (see right panel) as our underlying theme.

I guess what illustrates FDR's quote most vividly for me is the glaring differences of opinion during the 2000 Election, most specifically after the debates. I remember intently watching each debate with law school friends and us commenting on how Al Gore was just making G.W. Bush look like an uneducated fool. Case in point (paraphased):

Topic: what's your view on affirmative action?

Al: (long winded techno-babble answer but nonetheless magnanimous, probably re: some answer about righting past wrongs and levelling playing field)

George: I am against quotas.

Al to George: Do you agree with the position of the US Supreme Court on affirmative action?

George: I don't know that case, but I do know that I'm against quotas.

Law students yelling in background: You, idiot, quotas were outlawed with Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 US 265 (1978). Gore's going to kill this guy come November!

During the debate, we knew the point Al was making, but what we didn't realize was that his point was lost on a good percentage of the United States. Later we realized that it wasn't the only instance of Gore not identifying with a good percentage of voters.

We poured out of the house and went out on the town. In the cab ride to the bars, NPR said reactions to the debates were split 50/50. We were miffed. Were they watching the same debate? Every issue Gore looked like a seasoned policy wonk and Bush a backwater idiotbox. How could there be any question?

Well, we all know what happened.

When I think of "Two Good Legs," I think of moments like back in 2000 when I could not believe that others watched the same debates and had completely different opinions on the outcome. It's frustrating to say the least. Makes me wonder whether it was out of frustration for the opposition party that FDR quipped his famous TGL's remark.

Anyway, that's my story. But I'm sure others have their own stories too, good and bad. Some sad, ending in divorces, breakups, and broken dishes; others, however, pleasant, taking place on lakes and with noodle salad.

In this spirit, I leave you with a story of one fellow who knows all too well what FDR was talking about:

I can walk just about anywhere. I mean I'VE got two good legs, two good feet. I just have a broken head. In other words, I have no balance. Just walking ten feet without a cane or any aides such as a walker, is like walking on a TIGHTROPE across the Grand Canyon. I, always feel unsteady or like I'M going to lose my balance, a very uneasy feeling. Just like being drunk or high. This is my fault though because, I actually remember wishing, one day, when I was drunk or high, that I could feel that way all the time. While I don't remember actually praying to keep that feeling, it came true as if I had prayed for it to happen. Now, I really believe in the power of prayer but, I'LL never wish even for things that I won't really want in the future. So, be careful what you wish for.

Are you listening, Calvary Charge?

I can only say: well, bud (CC), it's never too late. We have this site. You should stop in sometime and maybe that road to redemption could be a bit shorter.