Welcome to the Third Degree: Tough, Brief, Weekly Interrogations on matters public and private that force thinking and response. This Sunday we target: Variations

  • Isn’t this a grand day to focus on all you mothers out there?
  • Does Mother’s Day bring out emotions and meanings that, with variations on the theme, overwhelm feelings?
  • You know, like brunch?
  • Why is it that any other meal of the day today fades to black when considering that special meal with mom?
  • Is Mother’s Day brunch the culinary Colossus of Rhodes and there is no acceptable substitute or variation? Corsage optional but recommended?
  • Is mom properly so dominant, such a momentous force, that there’s no mumbling about it?
  • Could Greek God “MOMUS”, God of mockery and censure, ever apply to mom?
  • Yet, does that game for the ages, “Mother May I”, with all its inventive variations give us Momus-like license to take on media, politics and progeny?
    • Mother May I offer opinion, couched as news, and dire warning about democracy dying because the Nazis are everywhere and encourage riot?
    • Mother May I persecute and prosecute political opponents including moms on school boards and presidents? Ain’t that a riot?
    • Mother May I save the planet by forcing implementation of the green new deal no matter the cost or lack of effect, except to raise prices, and stifle dissent by rotten science and riot?
    • Mother May I open the borders and give illegals rights and benefits denied, but paid for, by citizens because it’s a riot to think of all those votes?
    • Mother May I tell Bibi how to fight the war against enemies that hate Israel and rally riot as he tries to win?
    • Mother May I riot with a mask on and support the oppressed Palestinians who only want to make Jews defunct?
    • Mother May I avoid any class or job that insists upon excellence and effort and, instead, be a riot pro?
    • Mother May I demand that the always efficient and maternal government take care of me or I will certainly riot?
    • Mother May I have the keys to the car so I can go save the world from itself by rioting?
    • Mother May I be assured, after rioting, that you will have done my laundry, even assuming unlikely detention by the pigs, but assured release on cashless bail and non-prosecution?
    • Mother May I take baby steps toward the scary future with all its variations or just pull the covers over my head until it’s time to riot…again?
    • Mother May I remind: “Toughen up all you mothers out there?”

Socrates reminds: “The unexamined life is not worth living. The answers and actions are yours.