Richard Nixon on Abortion

The New York Times reported yesterday that amongst the 150 hours of tape just released by the Nixon Presidential Library were revelations about Nixon's ambivalent view of abortion.

Apparently, (the) Dick was generally against abortion because it would create an environment of "permissiveness" and because "it breaks the family."

Nixon did make an exception in certain severe situations:

"There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white...or rape."

Wow, more reasons to absolutely loathe Richard Nixon.

But Hari, you may argue: "Doesn't the possibility exist that Nixon was not actually being horribly racist? Perhaps he was, with great foresight, merely finding a way to prevent a contributing factor to the downfall of his party?



No, no...I'm kidding. This is more definitive proof that Richard Nixon was a horrible bigot. We didn't even cover what he thought of Jews.

The Kondabolu Brothers in Seattle

Doppelgänger Justice

The rise of Barack Obama has meant so much to millions of people around the World. However, I doubt whether any individual has been as personally affected as this young man in the Philippines.


FILIPINO OBAMA!

For years, he was undoubtedly teased for his narrow head and goofy ears. And now, he finally has some justice!

My Brother on E-mail

It's been a very busy month full of traveling, so I apologize faithful readers for the lack of updates. I promise to write longer and more thoughtful posts in the near future. (And yes, I have lied before with such claims and will likely lie again.)

For now, here is a humorous comment little brother Ashok made this evening:

"For people with small penises and addictions to prescription drugs, the Spam folder is the Inbox."

Have You Seen Me?

My friend Emily found this picture in a National Geographic a while ago and sent it to me:


"Hari, you were in National Geographic?"

No, imaginary friend. I wasn't. That is what we call a "Doppelgänger." (The arrow was added for emphasis.)

From that particular angle, this person looks exactly like yours truly. My hairline. My choice of eyewear. My clothing style. My horrible posture. The fact there is a smile on the face of the older lady next to "me" makes it even more like a situation I would be in.

Old people love me. EVIDENCE:

Me and my Grandma, Circa 2001.

I know it's NOT me, however, because my hands are smaller. I don't wear rings on my fingers. I have NEVER been to the Indian state of Bihar and have ABSOLUTELY NO RECOLLECTION of this memory.

I don't know who you are, Indian Brother, but I hope you are a good man.

Here is an official picture from National Geographic:

My Parents Will Never Go Skiing in France

When in England last December, I heard the following on a BBC News Program right before it went to break:

“Up Next: How has the credit crunch affected the French Ski Industry?”

When I think of the global financial crisis, the ABSOLUTE LAST THING I would think about, if at all, is the state of French Ski Industry.

You see, when you ask about the state of French Ski Industry, you are asking about the state of rich people. I don’t care about the state of rich people. I care about the state of poor people…and those on the verge of becoming poor. If those without money are treated without regard to their humanity when times are "good," what happens now?

So BBC News, why should I worry about rich people not skiing?

“But Hari, if rich people are not skiing, how else are they spending their leisure time?"

"If the rich are not skiing where will they go? Will they be simply forced to stay inside their EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE HOMES?”

“What if they attempt to mingle with the general population? Will they confuse…and bore us… with their worthless knowledge of Victorian literature? Or worse... attempt to sell us some of their modern art?”

As if someone without money would actually have any interest in buying the work of Cy Twombly!


Some of us don’t have the time or the interest to play “Modern Art Magic Eye.”

Person 1: I think it’s a giraffe.

Person 2: No, no. It’s clearly Twombley’s abstract representation of modernity.

Person 2: Are you sure? I’m pretty sure I see the giraffe’s neck.

Perhaps, if we’re lucky enough, the rich will also attempt to sell us some of their secondhand Soviet uranium.

Oh, rich people! Why won’t you colonize Mars already so us poor people can finally inherit the earth?
......................................................

I’m worried about my parents, who are not poor, but are getting older and deserve the chance to retire.

Poet Khalil Gibran once wrote:

Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

Ahh…if it were only so simple Poet Khalil Gibran. Work is love? Maybe initially, but after a while, it may simply become love...for your kids. And ironically, you get to a point where you only work so you can retire.

Retirement is freedom. It means being able to enjoy your remaining years without anyone telling you what to do. Having the time to rest arthritic knees and worn hearts.

My parents would love to retire now, but “alms” don’t pay the mortgage.

My Brother on God

After Ashok and I spent an afternoon annoying my mother in India last month, the following exchange happened.

MOM: (looking at the sky): God, why did you give me such annoying children?!?

ASHOK: (looking at Mom): There is no God, bro! If there is one, why don't you ask him why he's a racist who hates Black people so much!

(HARI laughs and writes this down.)