The Bristol Stomp

"The kids in Bristol are sharp as a pistol when they do the Bristol Stomp."

1961. The Dovells.

One of my favorite songs growing up. It had a great beat and was easy to sing and, as they would have said on Bandstand, it was "easy to dance to."

1961. An era when things had meaning. Honor was taught at home by your parents. Having integrity was one of your most important attributes. Heros were people who actually gave of themselves for the greater good. People were respectful of others (unless, of course, you were a "Negro"...) and profanity was reserved for the privacy of intimate conversations among peers. Nudity was only available in the National Geographic Magazine and only in black and white.

Times were simpler, yet I submit, far more substantial. People really did pull themselves up by their bootstraps and a better idea really did make you a million dollars which, at the time, was more than enough for a tank of gas.

I preface with all of this nostalgia because Bristol Palin is publishing a memoir.

Pause. Allow the words to sink in.

A MEMOIR!

How old is she anyway? 12? A memoir of what? Her amazing life so far as an unwed teenage mother and reality show "star" (Elizabeth Taylor and Judy Garland were stars...)?

Please.

Bristol Palin has accomplished nothing. So far. I will give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she will go on to do great things in her life, in spite of her mother, but she ain't gotten there yet!

But Bristol Palin exemplifies the current state of affairs in these United States. We glorify mediocrity at every turn. Nothing is average enough for us. From music to the movies to fashion to food, we support the lowest common denominator.

Just take a look at the current crop of Republican presidential candidates. Bachmann, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Huntsman, Paul, Palin, Romney and others.

Not a hero among them. Not one visionary. Not one person with the creative ability or leadership characteristics necessary to come up with the policies we need to turn this country around.

All they are is mediocre and average.

But that is why they are so popular and have the potential to win. The American people settle for average. We settle for mediocrity because we are intimidated by excellence. We criticize people who actually may have the answers. We ostracize people who may be more intelligent and capable then we are because, plain and simple, we are afraid of them. "What we don't understand we fear and what we fear we hate."

It used to be that if you possessed some extraordinary quality you were sanctified. Jesus, Mozart, Einstein...these were true geniuses. These were people who actually contributed something of great value to the human race. These were not cookie-cutter idiots who live and die by their poll numbers and try to be all things to all people. They were great people.

These were people who deserved to write memoirs or have biographies written about them. These were people whose memoirs were worth reading. It was enlightening and inspiring to read about their lives.

But Bristol Palin? Do we really need to know about the first time she ate at McDonald's and whether or not she likes Justin Bieber?

No we don't. At least I don't.

You may. It's your choice. It's a free country. For now...

Go for it.

Let me know how it goes.

For the time being I'm going to get back to "Don't Mind if I Do", George Hamilton's memoir.

Now there's some good reading!