Politics Schmolitics

Politicians. What would we ever do without them, eh? If pontification is an artform (and if it is then I think I should send off an application for funding to the Arts Council immediately - I'm the Tony Hart of pontification) these lads and lasses would get even Watercolour Challenge's Hannah Gordon salivating, and she's a tough woman to please (plus she went to my school - little known fact that). But wait, what's that you say, you haven't warmed to a politician since Lou Carpenter hung up his Erinsborough Mayoral robes for the last time? Well, allow me to introduce you to a politician that, I think you'll agree, we can all admire: step forward John 'J' Neeley Johnson.

This man was an absolute legend. I don't want to get involved in the mirky, labyrinthine world of third-and-fourth party politics in the United States in the mid 19th century, so there will be no discussion here of the merits or otherwise of the nonetheless fabulously-named 'Know-Nothing Party'. Suffice to say, it's an extremely contentious period in American history, the ramifications of which are, arguably, still being keenly felt today - feel free to study it for yourself, and if you fancy a debate, you know where to find me. (Wayne's office before 10 on a Sunday morning in case you don't, come early 'cause we pray at 10 though). No, pah to the politics, I say - JJ sounds like a hoot.

Unfortunately, there's only a tantalizing glimpse of this man available in the public domain, but it's certainly enough to whet the appetite. In case that link didn't work for some reason, or if you simply can't be bothered to click it (credit to you for reading all the way to here if you're that lazy, though), the gist is that he comes across as a bit of a character to say the least. A lovely antidote to today's faceless bureaucrats, and I must say I share his pedanticalness for all things grammatically shoddy (before you say it, smarty pants, that doesn't apply to blog entries). Now, if anyone can tell me if it's his wife whose name was lent to Zabriskie Point (the Floyd connections with which I'm sure you're all aware) then I would be most grateful - not eternally I wouldn't think, but for a few days at least.

Oh, and by the way, while we're on the political theme, did you know that Charles the Bald (numbered Charles II of France and the Holy Roman Emperor, who lived June 13, 823 – October 5 or 6, 877) wasn't actually bald? Maybe he just wanted to be considered 'clean'. The things you learn on the Index blog. go to main page