The old profligate did not leave this world with a bang. He departed with a prolonged whimper. Hugh Hefner, prince of the playboys, died yesterday in California in a hired room of his old mansion and alone. After 91 years on earth the end could be be delayed no longer and he obeyed the summons of God.
Suddenly the play bunnies and the bright lights, the glamour and the glitz, the chimera of fame, the parties and the popularity mean nothing. When a man dies he leaves this earth on his own and, on his own, he must answer for the legacy of his deeds, good or bad.
Far be it for me to pass a final judgment on this peddler of sex and sleaze. That is the sole prerogative of the Almighty Himself. Let me remark, however, on the death of Voltaire. He was the French Hugh Hefner of his day nearly three centuries ago,
As the grim reaper approached his bed he reportedly cried out in terror saying.
"In my lifetime I have mocked God and spurned the idea of hell. Now I fear that both are all too real."
I was not present to hear his last words when Hugh departed on his final journey, but let us hope that they were penitential enough to be printed in a better magazine than the one he founded.
Jubilate.
Ian
Laura Messi from Rome attended a wonderful wedding ceremony yesterday. It was her own. She had decided to forsake all others and marry herself.
She was now forty years old and, having experienced a failed relationship with a male partner, she decided that from now on she would enter into SOLOGAMY: a life long relationship with herself.
The ceremony of this new marriage covenant was attended by 70 guests. There was a large three layer wedding cake and the bride and bridesmaids were resplendent in striking silk dresses.
Great joy was exhibited by all present where wine flowed feely and speeches were given for Laura's long and happy union WITH HERSELF.
Many have been the congratulations on social media and, it would appear, that Laura may be starting a trend for the future. Others are now lined up to enter into nuptials with themselves.
There is always a little rain on every parade, however.
Some of the more unfeeling have posted comments such as
"There is something wrong with your brain lady"
"Are you out of your mind?"
"You are one sad feminist.!"
"A pointless submission to a patriarchal institution."
"Sick indeed."
Naturally we shall have to check in with Laura's story.
Perhaps when she goes through her first imaginary pregnancy and her new book telling us how it happened.
Jubilate.
Ian
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY OF JUSTICE FOR ALL.
So reads the pledge of allegiance, which is obligatory learning in all the public schools of America.
Sounds simple doesn't it? And why, may we ask, would any patriotic, true blooded American object to standing with hand upon heart when the pledge is called for?
Until last year it appeared that there was no reason, that is until the black quarter-back of the San Fransisco 49 rs defied the call and chose to drop on one knee instead. His particular resentment? The treatment of black people at the hands of "White Injustice" in America.
Now to add to the bonfire of grievances, real or perceived, President Trump has called such acts of defiance "A disrespect of the American Flag and the Republic for which it stands."
I can safely say that this is a conflict that will only continue to grow, along side the one that I wrote of last week, namely the pulling down of civil war statues.
Freedom to ignore the flag or respect and patriotism to be shown by all who shelter under the security of the Stars and Stripes?
Seems to me that the choice is clear but, there again, I came from a generation where the whole game would have been lost had it not been for the men who provided the red of the stripes with their own life blood.
Jubilate.
Ian
