"Stupid Is As Stupid Does, Ms. Red, White And Blue...."

My father will be 82 years old on Thursday, July 30.

And, in past years, I have wondered why it was that he often seemed annoyed.


Back to that in a second.

First, a little news from the vast wasteland we all know as our nation's capital.


(CNN) — The upcoming White House meeting with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and the Cambridge police officer who arrested him earlier this month appears to have touched off a fresh debate all on its own: what kind of beer should be served?

Earlier this week the White House indicated each man would drink the beer of their choice — Bud Light for President Obama, Blue Moon for the police officer, and perhaps Red Stripe or Beck's for Gates.

But one Massachusetts congressman thinks another beer entirely should be served: Boston's own Sam Adams.

In a letter to Obama dated Wednesday, Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal strongly urges the president not to drink Budweiser, now owned by a Belgian company. Nor should the White House consider serving Miller or Coors, Neal writes, both owned by a United Kingdom conglomerate.

Instead, the White House should serve the three men — all with ties to Massachusetts — the local favorite, not only because of its popularity in the region but also because it remains the largest American-owned and brewed beer, Neal says.

But Sam Adams founder and brewer Jim Koch told NPR if it was up to him he would make a special beer just for the event.

"I'd make a blend of ingredients from all over the world. Which is certainly what's represented there with the three participants," he said. "I would blend those ingredients together artfully and harmoniously, because that's really what we all hope for."


Does the moronic Congressman Neal need it pointed out to him that beer isn't the purpose of the meeting?

And, yes, I know that "moronic Congressman" is an oxymoron. Thank you for your cards and letters.

This kind of crap is exquisitely symbolic of why most of us have no use at all for politics, in general, and politicans, in particular.

Not to mention that it's damned annoying.

Oh.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

And my apologies.