There was the goofy space talk from Newt, and the bi-polar immigrant wooing and bashing in the GOP Presidential race. You'd also have to consider the offensive, stupid, and greedy tax plan of Nebraska's governor and the strange absence of Florida's governor from the statewide GOP primary. There were some magical moments this past week - and a few sad ones too.
We learned yesterday that a family member of our webmaster passed away after a surgery in Nebraska. She wasn't in the best of health, but it was still a surprise, and a sad one all the same. Our condolences go out to the family.
That sad death also reminded us of another end this past week, the end of the tenure of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her staff.
It's easy to forget, and time goes so fast for most of us, but just a year ago, Rep. Giffords was shot at point blank range, in the skull, by a mentally ill constituent, and wasn't initially expected to live. This week, Congresswoman Giffords walked back into the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, on her own power, and took her designated seat for the State of the Union address - like almost every other member of Congress.
What happened next should humble every member of our government, from every political party.
First, Congresswoman Giffords decided to step down, because while her staff has been incredible over the last year, Ms. Giffords decided she could not give her all to her job of properly representing her constituents. So, for the good of the people she fought so hard to represent, she decided to resign her seat in Congress.
Then, she introduced a real legislative bill - something her constituents wanted, not something she'd necessarily want for herself, and not some kind of a bill for show or a piece of legislation propped up as as a political swan song.
With her last action as a member of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords chose to give a moment she could have easily taken for herself, for a cause like curbing gun violence or helping victims of violent crimes -- and she gave that moment to the people she was sent to Washington, DC to serve.
She chose to serve others first, even as her final act in Congress.
We often joke here at The Daily Felltoon, poking fun at our colleagues in the media, and those we most often focus on in politics. Paul's cartoons make us laugh about the silly ways our politicians act - and more often than many of us would probably be willing to admit, how we are also part of the problem.
We call each other clowns - and often rightfully so, with the ridiculous ways we Americans act.
When the clock ticks down to the end, though - whether it's the end of a life, or just the end of a phase of life - we hope that each of us can go out like Congresswoman Giffords exited her role in Congress this week; with honor and respect, but still giving to the world at 120%.
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Chocolate in one hand, Martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: GERONIMO!"
- Hunter S. Thompson
