Carlson: These are a few of my favorite things . . .
John Carlson
It has been a lousy few weeks. Two close friends died. News reports continue to drone about world, national and local events being grim, possibly hopeless. We're facing a long, brutally cold winter.
Therefore, I've decided in these days before Christmas to shake off the sadness and look on the sunny side of things. Sunny for me, anyway. Don't approve of what I fancy? Fine. Come up with your own list of things that bring a smile.
Here are a few of mine:
The government reported last week that more than 20 percent of Americans have made enough money — $250,000 or more in household income in a single year — to be considered affluent at some point in their lives. This brought much moaning about "inequity" and "unfairness," but the 20 percent figure shows success is still possible and the number of people succeeding is growing.
Abortions in Iowa are down 30 percent over the last five years. Abortion opponents were thrilled at the news. Those who want abortion to be safe, legal and rare also are presumably pleased with the downward trend.
The new Downton Abbey season is said to be very good and episode 3 includes, according to one account, "The most devastating scene in the series history." I peeked so you don't have to, and can report it's way worse than Mr. Carson dumping soup on Lady Grantham. Season 4 of the British drama — some call it a high-brow soap opera — starts Jan. 5, on the Public Broadcasting Service in the U.S. It will be cold and a good night to stay home.
American network television, which is almost always awful, was great for three hours last week when NBC aired "The Sound of Music." It was broadcast live, something a network hadn't attempted with a musical production since the Eisenhower administration. Critics hated it, of course. Americans disagreed and watched in huge numbers. I love it when that happens.
I watched all 62 episodes of "Breaking Bad." It was violent, funny, horrifying, shocking, disgusting, believable, unbelievable and the best thing I've ever seen on television.
The Hawkeyes are playing in the Outback Bowl in Tampa on New Year's Day. It isn't the Rose Bowl, but it beats the heck out of wherever Nebraska is that day. The Hawks and Cyclones have darned good men's and women's basketball teams, too.
The bureaucracy can work. I turned 65 last month and told the government I'm opting out of the Part B medical portion of Medicare for a while. This is allowed. I immediately got a letter telling me my Part B coverage — which I told them I don't want — would start Nov. 1, and they'd be taking money to pay for it out of my Social Security check. Nightmare right? Nope. It was taken care of by the Social Security and Medicare people in a matter of days. The people who operate the floundering Affordable Care Act came through beautifully. So, good for the government. I said it and I'll stand by it.
The national unemployment rate has fallen to 7 percent. Sure, the number is phony, because they're not counting the millions of people who have given up looking for work. But I'm in a good mood and giving the feds a break today.
The Iowa unemployment rate is down to 4.6 percent. There are a complaints that number is fudged some, too, but Iowa's economic situation is good and getting better.
Gov. Terry Branstad could do his job with a flip of the auto-pilot switch, but it's not the way he's made. He works hard, is tough and honorable and maybe the greatest booster of Iowa in the state's history. His re-election is a sure thing.
Republicans have a good field of candidates hoping to replace the retiring Sen. Tom Harkin. Those folks will argue, debate, fight behind the scenes and on stages, and the party will come up with a nominee. The Democrats have a single, hand-picked candidate. That's just one reason a toughened-up Republican will win next November. She will be a great U.S. senator.
I'm happy to be friends with people who are capable of respecting someone with opposing political views. And I'm watching fewer of the cable news shows where angry yelling is supposed to be a substitute for thoughtful discussion.
Finally, it's wonderful to see so many Iowans give so much of their time, money and love to strangers here and around the world. They do it the entire year and it's the best reason of all to say Merry Christmas.