Doug Lambert

Random flotsam and jetsam from my desk and head: Just when you thought that the garbage shown on the television couldn't get any worse, along comes the Bravo cable network with its new reality series, "Boy Meets Boy." Yesterday's Laconia Daily Sun reported that the new show will follow in the same vein as other dating shows such as "Blind Date" or "The Bachelor" with one exception — the "couples" will be gay men. Can this be yet another indicator of the depths to which our society has sunk?

When people think of the decline and fall of the Roman civilization, many know of the stories of an overly extravagant and debased society made up of numerous corrupt and depraved and debauched leaders and other notables (Caligula, etc). If this new show from Bravo finds some measure of success, what does this say about the times in which we live? Can American "barfatoreums" be next?

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More "commencement speaker" news: Meryl Streep, departing from the recent trend of her fellow liberals and Hollywood types, chose not to use the UNH graduation ceremonies to bash the Bush administration and its policies. Good for her. Instead, she took the opportunity to trash the ill treatment and opportunities women face here in America. Government. The corporate world. You name it — according to Ms. Streep women face numerous monumental hurdles. America is not a good place to be a woman. No word on whether Ms. Streep's comments were drowned out by laughter.

In a rare occasion, a Roman Catholic Cardinal treated the graduates of the Jesuit Georgetown University to a pro-family speech. Francis Arinze, an African seen in contention to succeed Pope John Paul II, spoke on the importance of the family to the Church. An article found at www.smh.com.au quotes the Cardinal, "In many parts of the world, the family is under siege. It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalised by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce." Wow!

What makes the Cardinal's speech so notable is actually two-fold — first, graduates hearing something other than leftist, liberal pap at their ceremony, and secondly, the unusual occasion of a Roman Catholic leader actually taking an open, public stand on issues pertaining to the ongoing assault on the morals and values of our society. Don't forget — there is a well-organized movement afoot here in New Hampshire to legalize so-called "civil unions" (same-sex marriages). Maybe Bishop McCormack should take note of Cardinal Arinze's lead and join the fight right here in our own state.

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Good news in Gilford: The Citizen reported that the "Town Hall Facility Planning Committee has received positive feedback from an architect regarding plans for an addition to town hall to house the Police Department." This is a relief indeed, as we all know that the first step in expanding any facility is to please to the architect, who is, in this case, Ingrid Moulton-Wood, of the omnipresent firm, Banwell Architects. She describes herself as being "extremely impressed" with the plans thus far. $Cha-Ching! Where can I buy stock in Banwell Architects?

The same news article provided the "Unintentional Stating of the Obvious" prize of the week. Said award recipient and committee member Elaine Gagnon of the desired police complex: "Unless people have a better understanding of what they need and what they do, there will be people in town that will say we are building the Taj Majal for the police department." Look for a massive PR campaign to convince Gilford residents to suspend reality and common sense so that they can ultimately do the right thing and get this thing done. Besides — everybody knows the Taj Majal is way bigger than 15,000 square feet!

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The Washington Post reports that House majority leader Tom Delay (R-Tex) predicts that the "GOP-led House will allow a 1994 ban on semiautomatic assault weapons to expire next year, despite President Bush's longtime support for the measure." I see no reason why, with Republicans controlling both Houses of Congress, this law should survive beyond its sunset date. This is one issue in which the President and I part ways. I will be joining Niel Young this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on "The Advocates" program (1350AM WEZS) for further discussion on this topic. We will interview Dr. John Lott, author of More Guns, Less Crime and The Bias against Guns. The Second Amendment always generates healthy debate. You can join in by phone during the program at 524-6288.

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Don't forget to show your support for our troops who risk the "ultimate sacrifice" in defense of our freedoms. Please plan on attending the Rally for Our Troops this Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park next to the depot in downtown Laconia at 1 p.m.

Doug Lambert is a Gilford businessman and resident. His column appears every Thursday.