I Hope She Had a Heart of Gold

Attention, Public Officials: Do not hire prostitutes. (Note: High-priced hookers are hookers nonetheless; the word “hooker” is still in their job title.)

Guys like me know all this, but it is apparently not part of the training manual for governors. I am very sorry to see that Elliot Spitzer, a man who certainly ought to know better, has been implicated in a prostitution ring. This is a shame, because I held out a great deal of hope for Spitzer, from the time he was a United States Attorney prosecuting Wall Street cheaters, and, ironically, prostitution ringleaders. I really thought he might one day hold a cabinet office, or higher.

Alas, the New York governor allegedly “hook”ed up (rim shot!) with a callgirl in Washington on February 13 (happy Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Spitzer!), and was caught in a wiretap. So, there goes his political career and, most likely, marriage. Also, it is my understanding that men who hire prostitutes sometimes go to jail, so there’s that.

Sigh.

Filed under: Current Events, Politics on March 10th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

Helen Keller

I admit it is unfair of me to judge a place I’ve never been (that’s what they do in Russia), but my impression of Alabama isn’t entirely positive. So I was surprised and impressed a couple years back when I first saw their official state quarter which depicts Helen Keller, one of the most amazing human beings who ever lived. It is my favorite issue in the series.

I was reminded of the power of still images last week when a photograph of the deafblind girl was discovered and published a hundred and twenty years after it was taken. It shows Keller holding a doll in one hand, and the hand of Anne Sullivan with the other, and it is remarkably touching.

Filed under: Musings, Photography on March 10th, 2008 | No Comments »