Mad [Wo]men

Jon Hamm and friend

Janet Napolitano and the Department of Homeland Security are being sued for sexual descrimination ... the kind that is entertainingly portrayed in that popular TV series "Mad Men."  Having lived in New York City during the early sixties and having had many Madison Avenue friends, I can attest that this show has it pretty much dead on.  However, this time around, it is alleged that the top female executives at Homeland Security are treating their male underlings with equivalent condescension (see: NY Daily News Story).

I guess, if one lives long enough, one sees most of the cycles of social intercourese (if you will excuse the expression.)  In a very real way this suit might be characterized as "the roosters coming home to chick."

The Smiling Cobra

Once Jim Aubrey, who then ran CBS, was known as the "smiling cobra" for his ruthless interpersonal tactics ... while he also maintained an ebullient visage (see: Wikipedia Entry).  I once heard an apocryphal story (of unknown veracity) on how he disposed of worn-out girlfriends.  He would invite them to join him on a cross-country Pullman-car trip.  When he didn't appear in their private compartment for the "all aboard," he would have delivered money, flowers, jewelry, fruit, candy, and ... a "Dear Jane" letter to his perplexed concubine ... shades of Mad Men!

I'm not accusing Barack Obama of similar dalliances, but I do believe he has a parallel personality to Jim Aubrey in that he is ruthless in slaking his vengeance.  In fact I am often perplexed and even a mite fearful to see The Barry's eyes as burning hot coals of anger while he, at the same time, is showing from ear to ear, a mouth full of pearly-whites.