Archie Kobain

I’m out of love and I gotta have it.
Would you give it to me, if I fit your needs,
Like when we both knew we had it?

As this hits the blog site this morning, I find myself on a cruise ship, somewhere in The Atlantic, undoubtedly holding a brightly colored cocktail with a little umbrella sticking out of it, and headed for the Bahamas.  It’s a rough life but someone has to do it.

Nassau to be exact.  It’s like Nazareth, except there is no Jesus of Nassau – or at least there wasn’t until today. I think this is going to be my new Bahamian code name.  Brilliant.
“Hello Ladies…  I’m Jesus of Nassau.  Perhaps you’ve heard of me?”

The End of Politics
Speaking of brilliant, a friend of mine recently came up with an incredible idea…   Just like corporations, before they go public, there should be a mandatory “quiet period” right before political elections. That way, people could just think for themselves, without being exposed to all the propaganda and misguided rantings of the mainstream media.  I’m in.

Of course, he thought it should start 48 months before the election.

The truth is that, no matter the outcome, I will be disappointed.  I’ll either be disappointed at the fact that we chose to keep a president who is mediocre, at best, or I’ll be disappointed that we chose his opponent, who thinks corporations are people and doesn’t see a problem with money running Washington and buying our politicians.  Mostly I’ll continue my disappointment at what our political system has become.  Nothing more than a way of dividing our country, across party platforms, based on issues that have no place in America’s politics and have nothing to do with moving our country forward on the world stage.

My quiet period begins now.

But I can’t keep quiet about this…

Bob Levinson
For those of you who have been following my stuff for a while, you may remember that I have a friend whose father, a retired FBI agent, went missing in March 2007, while visiting Kish  Island, a small resort island off the coast of, and belonging to, Iran.

Bob is now the 2nd longest held hostage in American history.

You know – I don’t think I ever met Bob, but I’m certainly looking forward to meeting him upon his safe return. I’ve met his wife. I’ve met most of his seven children, and all I can say is that this is an awesome family who deserves to have him back.

In a recent, brilliant move, earlier this week, during the UN General Assembly in New York City, the Levinsons got billboards up in Times Square asking the international community for help in finding their missing family member.  Next thing you know, in an interview with CBS, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an indication that Bob was still in alive and, possibly, still in Iran. He also seemed to indicate that he thought that Iranian and American intelligence had discussed this matter and an agreement has been reached.

For the sake of accuracy, here’s the article I read.
Be sure to watch the CBS video, all the way at the end of this article.
Family of missing FBI agent Robert Levinson rents out Times Square billboard
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/family-missing-fbi-agent-robert-levinson-rent-times-square-billboard-pleading-u-n-delegates-article-1.1167970

I’m thinking this is awesome news.  As far as I know, this is the first time that anyone from  Iran has acknowledged knowing anything about Bob.  Also, as far as I know, there had been no news of Bob at all since that grainy 57-second video that surfaced in 2010, showing him captive – no one knew where.  Hopefully, this new information is the start at bringing this thing to an end and bringing Levinson home safely.

You know, I’m an action guy, a “run guy”, a “what can I do guy”.  Unfortunately, all any of us can can do in this case is to be calm, be quiet, and hope (or pray – if that’s your gig) for Bob’s safe return.  I’m in…

You can learn more at the family’s website, by following this link:

Stay strong Levinson family.  You guys rock and I raise my fruity drink to you.

As far as the rest of you…
You should spend the day being thankful for your ability to be with the ones you love.
…and if you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.

That’s all I have for today. There must be tequila somewhere on this ship.

Barnsley!!!

Peace

– Arch