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John Y. Brown, III Photo HereRecovering PoliticianTHEN: Secretary of State (KY), 1996-2004; Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, 2007 NOW: JYB3 Group (Owner) -public affairs consulting firm; Miller Wells law firm (Of counsel) Full Biography: link   
Friedrich Nietzsche “But if you continue to stare at the abyss a little longer, it will wink at you. And you can wink back at the abyss. And you will both giggle simultaneously” Me. This morning (putting my philosophy minor to good use)
I love the outrageously fun interstate stare down this week between UL and UK. The smack talk: clever put downs and cleverer retorts and most of what goes with it. Most of it is in good fun, to be expected and a healthy and natural fan activity given the rarefied Final Four positions our state’s two remarkable basketball teams have achieved this year. But there is a line where we start to sound loopy, goofy, nonsensical and downright mean-spirited if not a little demented. The key is being cute, clever and competitive. Be like a happy warrior who relishes competition rather than a rambling insulter and hater.
So, before you rush out and buy this t-shirt or its corollary suggesting you do the same if you hate UK, I have a different suggestion. Just Breathe. And, most importantly, have one heckuva fun time. This may not happen again. For another year.
In the article the state legislature and my father (former Governor John Y. Brown, Jr.) seem to take the credit for making this once unlikely occurrence a now historic rivalry. My recollection, however, is very different. I remember one night at the dinner table suggesting to my dad, “Why don’t you work with the legislature to create an annual UK-UL game?” I seem to recall my dad laughing it off and saying it would never happen. I stood up, pounded my fist on the table and demanded, “It has to happen! And it has to happen now!!” I was relentless in crafting the legislative strategy and hounding my father to make this is last important act as governor. I threatened to legally change my name to John Chandler Beshear Nunn if he wasn’t successful. And I succeeded. Well, he and the legislature succeeded. OK, OK maybe it didn’t really happen that way. Maybe…. I was in college out of state at the time and didn’t even know about the effort until several years after it happened. And, yeah, maybe I never had such conversations about legislation of any kind with my father because I was more interested in more hormonally appropriate topics. But you gotta admit, it does make a darn good story. Even if it’s entirely an imaginary one.
I’d hate to be accountable for my thoughts. They aren’t dangerous. Just, well, hard to explain away. For example, I was eating lunch alone in my car today–a turkey sandwich. Out of nowhere I start thinking about how I’m really glad that animals can’t talk. And I hope we never teach them to. For one thing, what would we talk about? It’s hard enough making conversation with other humans. Besides, no matter how good we get at small talk with animals, we can only avoid the inevitable “Big Question” for so long. Eventually a turkey (or some other animal) will ask, “So, why do you eat us?” And the truth is I don’t have a good answer. All I can say is something along the lines of the primitive logic, “Look, I’m bigger than you and smarter than you and you taste good. That’s it. End of story. Let’s please talk about a less awkward subject.” Just typing this response makes me cringe–and reinforces to me this is a conversation I’d like to avoid. And besides, what other subject could we move on to after that uncomfortable segue? It’s just not realistic. But even without an eloquent explanation, I’m not giving up turkey. Well, my lunch time ran out on this thought. I’m on a business call now and sounding very professional –using lingo from my MBA and law degree. Very impressive. I’m on my game. And I’ve almost completely stopped thinking about conversing with turkeys.
Because there was no profound thought to fit the words into? And really never had been. Just some assorted near-clever ideas from time to time….but nothing achieving “profound” status. And so you decided you’d wait and try to say something profound another day instead? That just happened to me.
Forever? Think of those sweet conversations. Explaining the mysteries of where God lives; of how TV marketing works; reading Catcher in the Rye and smiling knowingly together at the bad words; chatting up sports and politics –as you, the parent, realize he’s closing in on you. And then one day, there’s a small crack in the universe, and your role as big “P” parent to the little “c” child is whisked away. For me it was a conversation in our kitchen yesterday. Child: “So Dad, have you gone through a mid-life crisis yet?” Parent: “Well…ummm. Well. I guess. I think I have.” Child: “Think? Uh, it usually happens in your early 40s and your 48” Parent: “Yeah. No…I uh…I have. Yes. I was in my ….probably late 30s. I was precocious (Laugh)” Child: “Do you know why you went through a mid-life crisis?” Parent: “Yeah. I mean…not really. I mean I do from a spiritual standpoint. I mean…look, when you get to mid-life it’s depressing. You either haven’t achieved your dreams so you are depressed. Or you have achieved them and they haven’t brought you the happiness you expected, so you are depressed. And so, you know, you recalibrate your goals and values for the second half of life.” Child: “No, that’s not why. That’s an interesting explanation but the real reason is menopause.” Parent: “Male menopause?” Child: “No! Female menopause. There is a high correlation between when wives go through menopause and when men go through mid-life crisis. You are good with psychological theories but that’s the scientific explanation.” Parent: “Well, but I had mine and mom hasn’t…I mean. What is menopause anyway? Exactly? I mean, I know …sort of but….the exact, precise, scientific definition of menopause?” And that’s when the universe cracked.
[Click here to follow the full debate thread] Rod,
Your busy week must have taken its toll. Jason Grill recommended Romney pick the guy in the Dos Equis commercials 😉
I think you were referring to my post. Thanks!
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John Y. Brown, III RespondsBut what would the most interesting man in the world be doing running as a VP candidate?
It seems to go against his brand. Although it would be a brilliant and compelling choice.
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“I don’t often run for powerless offices where I wait for someone else to die – but when I do . . .”
[Click here to follow the full debate thread] Discussing VP picks is kind of like selecting your lunch for a business meeting the day before. You want to get excited about it but it’s difficult. I had assumed Santorum would be the natural pick because it seems to work on paper even though it’s entirely predictable, lacks imagination or boldness and likely won’t work. Because that seems to be Romney’s MO for decision making. And since I can’t remember a republican primary where the party faithful have strained harder to avoid a nominee, it’s hard to have the confidence to start treating Mitt as the heir apparent nominee for speculative VP purposes. But it appears to be time. At least mathematically.
Drilling a little deeper, it’s not that Romney is “disliked.” I just feel people are neutral toward him as a candidate on a personal level, which can be the death knell for a presidential candidate. Love or hate the candidate, but don’t be indifferent to him or her personally. Romney’s besetting sin is an inability to connect personally with voters. Huckabee’s greatest gift is the ability to connect with about anyone who shows up in his orbit. Read the rest of…
Along with a “Viewer’s Warning” I’d like to see: Warning: (The unedited version). There is inappropriate language and suggestive themes. Not recommended for viewers under age 17 or over age 56. There are a few between the ages of 17 and 56 who will pretend to be offended if they watch. But they will actually find the video very funny and will be the most likely to watch it multiple times. Isn’t it always like that? The reason for their feigned shock is probably because the character played by Will Ferrell reminds them of a family member, perhaps an uncle they have tried to forget. They really need to get over it. Their uncle isn’t really a bad man. Just confused and misguided. He’s actually doing the best he can and does have some redeeming qualities and can be fun to be around (albeit in short spurts) if these people would stop judging him so harshly and try to get to know him a little better. But don’t hold your breath for that to ever happen. Anyway, if you are between 17 and 56, you’ll probably enjoy this video. If you are one of those who don’t enjoy it and find it offensive, please keep it to yourself and don’t ruin it for the rest of us. Thank you.
I then said, “No, I’ll take a cookie and no drink” To wich I was asked, “Would you like a large popcorn and drink?” I chuckled, smiled empathetically and said, “Let me ask you something. If I ordered 10 of everyting, 10 large everythings, would you still have to ask me if I would like an extra popcorn and drink with that?” The clerk smiled apologetically and answered. “Afraid so.” |
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