Philosophy in the Rain

I have reached recent conclusions about public life.

To whit, there are two kinds of politicians: Believers, who are extremely dangerous, and Men Who Believe in Nothing, who are equally dangerous.

Hitler was a Believer. 'Nuff said.

Bush is a Believer, Lord help us.

Mayor Sam, perhaps the most dangerous politician this sleepy, gentle berg has ever seen believes deeply in a program that is destructive and without that most necessary of all human commodities - Hope.

The Men Who Believe in Nothing have a simple agenda: Personal Aggrandizement. More money, more power, more accolades, more free lunches, plane rides and golf trips. These pathetic worms cannot bend over fast enough to take the Boss' imperative up the yahoo for a buck and a quarter. Their values are in the wind.

In Robert Bolt's magnificent play, "A Man for All Seasons," Sir Thomas More is betrayed in Cromwell's court by a snivelling rat, named Richard Rich. (See the brilliant film with Oscar-winning Paul Scofield as More and a young and brilliant John Hurt as Rich, and the late, great Robert Shaw as an overwhelming Henry VIII.)

More turns to Rich, now bedecked in furs and finery and lying through his rotting, borrowed teeth, and asks, "Is that the sign of Wales around your neck, Richie?" For his calumny, Richard has been awarded the Chancellorship of Wales. Rich, visibly shaken and embarrassed by the question, admits that, "Yes, so it is." And then comes the famous and telling line.

"Oh, Richard, it little profits a man that he sell his soul for the whole world...but for Wales???"

There are two political operatives scurrying about these parts these rainy days, one more notable than the other, but each Backroom Boys to the Core. They are huddled behind various curtains with Mayor Sam and whispering in the ears of Ottawa to further their own careers. Unlike Dr. Strangelove, they don't believe in substitute drugs or much of anything else.

But they like ever so much to fly first class and order the bestest of wines with their filet mignon. No matter that they might help enslave more human beings in the hopeless traps of narcotics, legal or illegal.

So Believers and Non-believers in public life are to be feared and watched with a hawk's eye.

When, o when, will we meet the Third Man?