Unter Donner Und Blitz

Good Evening, Citizens:

This past week in Washington reminded me of earlier times.
Years ago around this time of year I used to visit a small circus that came to my town.  I bought a ticket not because I liked circuses but because I knew the band leader and I enjoyed his small but very powerful brass band.  In order to get to the main tent and hear those windjammers (musicians) I had to negotiate gingerly through the midway.  This was no easy proposition, even close to show time, with a daughter and wife in tow.
A cacophony of seductive cries from, hawkers, barkers and pitchmen beckoned.
"Buy a ticket for your daughter to ride the elephant."
"Candy floss for the little lady."
"Show your lady how strong you are sir, ring the bell." and if I begged off with "We want to see the show"--It came back "Two more shows today Mister, come on-- take a chance."
"Watch out for those death panels, folks."  Oops, excuse me.
On and on.
The idea was to keep us occupied for a while, take a little loose change from me and if I was distracted from the main event well I could catch it later. No harm done.
Once seated inside the big top, announcers, vendors and the ringmaster took over and finally, almost as an afterthought, the show.  During the acts the band, with marches, waltzes and polkas, did everything musically  to control our emotions.  My favorite circus music was called a screamer.  This was a fast and furious double time march or polka played to an nth degree of the musicians technique.  When you heard Unter Donner Und Blitz, Johann Strauss' polka schnel, something exciting was coming or happening--you just knew it from the sound.  Then it was over and we walked out into the cool night air and went home.
Sound familiar?
With the Teabaggers, birthers, populists and nativists last Saturday and the Value-Voters in town this weekend it is hard to get to the main tent but persevere.  March forward, gentle friends.  I can hear the band warming up. Don't be distracted and don't look back  My circus pals tell me that is bad luck.

Be Healthy my friends,
A Journeyman Citizen