Face to face with Darth Vader - and he's quite the charmer

I've had quite a day. I've spent the last two days cleaning my classroom, getting intellectually ready for the new school year, talking diving on Harry's Show this morning, and most of all having run into some people I've vilified in this blog.

Leaving the studio booth and heading toward the door I saw a face that was slightly familiar. There was no heavy breathing, so I wasn't sure. Sure enough Richard A. Pierce read my blog, saw that I said I'd be on Harry's Show this morning and wanted to meet me. I think he even made a special trip. We never met before. No chairs were thrown. There wasn't even any yelling, which was good after a pleasant live chat on diving. Richard wanted to introduce himself, show me he was human and vilify the Marianas Variety a bit.

Richard isn't just a little good at what he does, he is a master, said with a slight Jules Winnfield tone from Pulp Fiction, "I'm the foot fuckin' master." I once referred to Richard as the Nick Naylor of Saipan. Naylor is the fictional spokesman for Big Tobacco in the book/film Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley, William F's son -- who is far more impressive than his dad, who I met and corresponded with in college. In one scene in this film, Nick Naylor convinces a crowd that tobacco wants "cancer" boy to live so they can sell him more cigarettes. A plausible argument. He uses various other methods of sophistry. It's a great movie/film and it helps you understand today's media age if you are unclear at all. I have used it in class.

Richard didn't change my mind about the CNMI situation at all, and didn't much try. I certainly still think Zaldy Dandan paints a picture closer to reality than his many enemies, but Richard was successful at convincing me he isn't the Devil. He did say, "I like Darth Vader," which was pretty funny. I emailed him and told him I've been harder on him than anyone ever -- other than George W. Bush, and he is nowhere near W's class for evil and global upheaval. I also got the impression that Richard believes a lot of what he says, which I didn't think the case before. I've agreed with him in the past on his view on the drug and alcohol policy. He didn't ask for this, but I'm going to remove all my personal invective hurled at him. Things like prick, dirtball etc. I probably shouldn't have said those things. The post itself will stay, but I'm going to excise the personal name calling, which I guess I shouldn't have done. I told him we'll probably argue again one day, but it will be with less personal vitriol.

Having said this, if anyone does catch me softening on George W. Bush, I demand you tape some bowling balls to my leg and stick me in the washing machine at the Grotto. I almost bit it there once before. No cheating on this Brad and Angelo. I've got to say something like "Bush isn't all that bad," just so I'm clear on this point.