Phil and Bill

That's Punxsutawney and Murray, if you're keeping score at home (and if so, why; and if not, why not). I know someone who not only was born on Groundhog Day, but was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and has spent a lifetime enjoying the looks of incredulity with which this news is met.

What's a little spooky, to me, as if basing predictions of additional winter weather on the appearance or non-appearance of a furry animal's shadow isn't already goofy enough, is how much time flies and remains the same simultaneously. Speaking of which and having nothing to do with it at all, my brother, Adam, celebrates his seventy-eighth birthday (he was born an old soul) tomorrow, and at the time of day he goes running, there are NO shadows of any kind anywhere in this hemisphere. Or groundhogs.

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, newly-inaugurated President of the United States Barack Obama was predicting bi-partisan support for additional stimulus funding. He, as have we all, has since learned that a wish is a hope you make with your heart. Until the moment the fellow on the far side of the aisle announces nothing would give him greater joy than cutting the heart out of your hope because when the roles were reversed, it was done to him.

This 'eye for an eye' stuff only works twice and then we're all blind, which is how many of those whom we elect act all the days of the year anyway. We shake out heads in dismay and wring our hands in despair and then vote for the same old gladiators the next time around. And the parting on the left is now the parting on the right (for the person who asked me Saturday, I didn't grow a moustache; I shaved off my beard).

Last February, one political party was in the ascendancy and this February, it's the other one. Glad something is working out for somebody somewhere. Unemployment and underemployment have continued, and in many areas, have actually risen (except among those whose job is to explain that bad is good and day is night; those careers are booming and no one knows why). This time last year, both sides were girding their loins (there's a scary visual!) for 'the health care debate' (as if THAT would ever happen) and this time this year, well, we all know the name of that tune, right?

Last February we had national elected leadership struggling to develop political solutions to military situations that started out as politics in Iraq and Afghanistan, not forgetting sidebar distractions with Iran and North Korea. And sonuvagun, it's unclear (to me) what if anything has changed. And if you're thinking Hugo Chavez is a striker for FC Barcelona, put down the Coke Zero and get your own smile.

I do know we all missed Stephen Tobolowsky at last night's banquet but in light of how much the only constant is change but how constant that change has become, I'm sure we'll meet again before that Second Sitting. But I'm not sure what happens if someone other than Phil sees his shadow. Six more weeks of chocolate bunnies, I fear.
-bill kenny