Jimmy Carter!

He was always the cool President. Before Clinton, before Obama there was a President with a sense of pop culture. Jimmy Carter was the man. If he wasn't hanging out with Willie Nelson or Gregg Allman or Cher, he was listening to Whipping Post and digging every second.

Jimmy Carter died at age 100 on Sunday. His goofy grandson's prediction of he was in his last days was always going to come true, but Carter hung on after Rosalynn's death to vote for Kamala Harris and when she lost, he did what many of us want to do, move to another dimension. 

Jimmy Carter was the guy who allowed us to move on from the beginning of the lawless Republican strategy of committing crimes and then daring anyone to do anything about it. And of course, nobody ever does because I guess inside most of Americans is that love of gangsters (as long as they are white of course). Carter peacefully took control after Nixon's puppet, the unelected Gerry Ford lost in 1976. Carter then faced some of the worst 4 years in history. Economic collapse, gas shortages, Iranian Revolution, hostages, shitty American cars, inflation due to gas prices, and a general downturn in American optimism as the rest of the world caught up to us thanks to the Republican conspiracy with big business to sabotage the nation. Yet, Carter took it and wouldn't lie to us that shit was real and it wasn't gonna be easy to climb out of the quicksand. America doesn't wanna see a challenge. We want everything to be easy, leaving no after effects, and we want politicians to lie. We are big babies and need Daddy to make us feel good. Thus, Ronald Reagan. The beginning of the end.

Look back in the Carter years, I wasn't really onboard. I didn't vote for Carter in the 1976 or 1980 primary, I didn't even vote for him in the 1980 general election (John Anderson anyone?). Thats because I was still a young and stupid idealist who cut off anybody who strayed from my positions even slightly. Ya know, much like today's "progressives" who immediately throw tantrums when any Democrat shows the tiniest acknowledgement that some of their shit is crazy. That was me in 1980. I was wrong then and they are wrong now.

Let's forget that Carter was sabotaged by treason committed by the Reagan team. Keep the hostages thru the election and we'll sell ya weapons thru the back door. It worked. 

Jimmy Carter left office in 1981 peacefully and with grace while he knew that America had elected an amiable dunce who just made shit up to make you feel better.

Jimmy then moved into a life of giving. Still shunned by his own party, he didn't care. He needed to help the unfortunate by building houses, fighting for clean water, monitoring bullshit elections overseas, and speaking out here, if need be, 

Was he America's best President? No. Was he the worst? Hell no. Was he the best human being to be President? Goddamn right he was. The man was a saint among men. Period.

As we come up to inauguration of a crooked felonious rapist on Jan 20th, rest assured that the flags will be half-staff not only for James Earl Carter, but for the death of America. Carter would have it no other way.

Rest in Peace or Power or whatever, Jimmy. We didn't deserve ye.

Peter Pan !

 When you think of the Broadway musical Peter Pan you think of petite women like Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby playing the lead character but this touring non equity version features an actual 17-year-old teenaged boy, Nolan Almeida. And he brings it.

This version of the children's story about a boy who never grows up is updated to include social media, cell phones and beats. This version of the J M Barrie kids' tale also has eliminated the obvious anti-Indian garbage that was in the original (Ugg a wug wigwam?). The updated play doesn't lose anything at all.

The story begins in the nursery of a 21st century home with Michael, John and Wendy. After Mom says she noticed a boy outside the window with a strange light, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell enter the room with glitter and flair. The three kids are enthralled with the boy and his fairy and decide they want to go to Neverland where nobody ever grows old. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys welcome the kids and make Wendy their "mother" since they all have none. 

But Neverland is not all that fun because the Lost Boys have enemies, Tiger Lily and her tribe and the villainous Captain Hook and his band of pirates. Hook hates Peter Pan as he blames him for the loss of his hand to a crocodile. Tiger Lily fights to keep her part of the island but eventually joins forces to battle the pirates which results in the great song Forever Friends that closes act 1.

Act 2 is not long at all. Theres some sword fights and some walking the plank and eventually Hook is defeated and eaten by the croc. Thats about it folks.

The special effects are pretty good. When the kids are flying it looks real as they fly thru the clouds (even though the wires are easily seen). The stage scenery is pretty standard. Theres some good songs, some songs that didn't hit with me and a story far more fit for children than adults. 

Now the actors. The aforementioned Nolan Almeida is a Peter Pan that will go on as long as he wants and has a great singing voice. Hawka Kamara as Wendy is obviously a grown woman but really is the stabilizing force onstage. She gets the best lines and jokes. Bailey Frankenberg as Tiger Lily is a small package with a large voice. There was no doubt in my mind she was the best singer onstage. Cody Garcia plays both the father and Captain Hook. His Hook has a strange Scottish accent, but he is also obviously the most seasoned actor up there. His Hook is a hoot. Kurt Perry as Smee, Capt. Hooks flamboyant first mate is quite funny. Another big guy actor with a lot of moves and a delightful delivery of his lines.

I have no problem with the talent onstage. The story is really not meant for 60 something people. Sure, you can put the brain on hold and have fun, but there are so many kids up there I often flashed back to my days as a stage dad for my son's high school plays. Max's Mom called it "annoying" but to be fair, she wasn't feeling well. I wasn't feeling well either, but it did not annoy me. It just didn't interest me. Sorry.

The place was packed. Far more adults than kids. The applause was tepid most of the play. It made me think there were other adults there not into it.

If you have little ones this would be a good introduction to musical theater. It's not overly long, and the kids will like the energy. At times it made me wish I had that energy still.