A president or a rock star?

I'm in Vegas for a trade show for work, so I'm missing a bit of news. I'm nearly the only one I know who doesn't care about the inauguration. I mean I don't recall ever watching one before so why should this one be any different?

Being away from home, it's easy to miss the news of the day. But I caught the pre-inauguration celebration highlights on the news last night and wow, wtf? I couldn't believe the musicians who came out. Did they perform for free? I sure hope so in light of the economy. This is a president - not a Hollywood or rock and roll star. I get it. This appeals to the younger audience, just like many of the Christian churches which have guitars and drums during mass. Not that I want the new president to be more reminiscent of the Roman Catholic churches masses, but tone it down.

Elections - no matter if they are local, school council or the president of the U.S. are nothing but popularity contests. I know people who voted not knowing the difference between party lines and even voted for one candidate when their viewpoints were more consistent with the other. I wish there was a test to pass to vote.
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But back to my first point... why did the pre-inauguration have to be so extravagant? That doesn't set a good example to a nation who already wants too much.

There was a man named Animal

One of the reasons I still appreciate living in a small town is for some of its real people. I still can't stand small town drama where everyone thinks they know everyone's business and I don't care for people without manners or common sense. But in small towns, you find people who are "real." They don't go for the marketing lingo I sling; they just live their lives by appreciating a cold beer and good friends and family.

This morning we learned a man named Animal shot himself in the chest. Animal was a friend of a friend. He was maybe early 60s, rode a Harley and was the kind of guy who wouldn't hesitate to pick you up when you're down. From what I hear he was going through a rough patch with his wife and thought this was the next best step. I wish, even though I barely knew him, he would have thought about all his friends who loved hanging out with him and liked his crooked smile. Oh and now that I think of it, that was Honda that looked like a Harley. We'd tease him about that and he'd just smile. But that's what you do, you can't afford a Harely, you get a Honda to make it look like what you want.

I hope your troubles are over Animal - we'll miss you.