The most “shocking” result from the Democratic Super Tuesday elections in 14 states and one territory, was Biden’s historic rise from the dead. A distant second was Mike Bloomberg who won four delegates in American Samoa.
Given Bloomberg had spent over $500 million some speculated, forget delegates, he could have bought American Samoa. ( Bloomberg is now supporting Biden whom Trump calls “Sleepy Joe,” which you might find hilarious if you Google “Trump barely conscious press conference.”)
Making fun of Bloomberg, I’m reminded of the late Will Rogers who reveled in making fun of politicians. Since Rogers is perhaps the most beloved former resident of Santa Monica, let me share a bit of his bio for those not familiar with his remarkable life.
Born in 1879 into a Cherokee family in Oklahoma, as a young man, Rogers found work in popular open-air Wild West shows performing crowd-pleasing rope tricks mixed with his folksy humorous comments. Later, Rogers broke into vaudeville, then Broadway, followed by radio as a cowboy philosopher.
Eventually he found stardom in movies and, as a syndicated humor columnist, authoring over 4,000 columns. (I’m approaching 700 columns and the closest thing to a rope trick that I can do is tie my sneakers.)
As for Santa Monica, in 1928, Rogers purchased 186 acres above Sunset on which he developed a ranch which is now considered Pacific Palisades He absolutely adored living here even if his glamorous Hollywood friends considered our fair city the boondocks.
The sprawling but unpretentious estate had breath-taking ocean and city views. Spread apart on the grounds for guests’ privacy, Rogers built numerous cabins, a 1-hole golf course, riding stables and a polo pony field.
With these “upgrades,” Rogers managed to persuade a few movie stars to reluctantly “rough it” with weekend get-aways. Eventually Hollywood stars showing they were “regular folks,” grew to be much in vogue.
In fact, Rogers was an international icon when, in 1935, he and Wiley Post, whose aviator fame was second only to Lindbergh, died in a tragic plane crash in Alaska. This simple, plain-spoken man, who had been a humorous voice for a nation suffering from the Great Depression was suddenly gone.
The country mourned Rogers’ passing, but no more so than in Hollywood where he had been the chief ambassador for the film industry. And, given his loyalty to the working class, he was the spokesman for every actor, grip, carpenter and underling.
In 1944, after the death of Rogers’ widow, Betty, the land was deeded to the state and became among the finest of California’s State Parks. But Rogers’ legacy carried on, including, in 1991, inspiring the Broadway musical “Will Rogers Follies,” which won 6 Tony Awards.
Among Rogers’ most famous quotes was, “I never met a man I didn’t like.” But the Rogers quip that has particular relevance during this current chaotic Democratic primary season was, “I’m not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat. (“Ouch,” I say, as the truth hurts.)
Though I’m a lifelong Democrat, I have to admit that we shoot our feet so often, it’s amazing we have toes. Months ago, Obama warned our debates were like circular firing squads. Perhaps no better example of turning on their own, was the 2016 election where vast numbers of Bernie supporters, African-Americans and college students, felt ignored and stayed at home.
So the Democratic nomination is a two man race from opposite polls within the party. (The impossibility of a woman president this year, a century after suffrage is shameful.) If Biden gets the nod, I fear despondent Bernie bros will stay at home and 2020 could be a 2016 repeat. Or, as Yogi Berra put it, “Deja vu, all over again.” It’s even possible there will be a contested Democratic convention, something that hasn’t happened since 1968. (And how did that work out?)
I suppose it’s not fair to claim that if Rogers had met Trump that would have killed the saying “I never met a man I didn’t like.” Obviously, it would be the same if he met Kim Jong-un, Rodrigo Duterte or Vladimir Putin.
Kim starves his people and tortured to death an American college student. Philippine President D uterte who, without a trial, murders anyone he even suspects of drug dealing and called Obama’s late mother a prostitute. Those two are Trump’s friends. And Putin who assassinates dissidents and journalists, and interferes in our elections without reprisal is Trump’s puppet master.
I wish I could have lived in Rogers’ era. At least I can take a wonderful hike in what used to be his back yard.
Will Rogers Park is at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road off Sunset, (310 454 8212.) Also, don’t forget to Google “Trump barely conscious press conference.” Jack is at jackdailypress@aol.com.
