Hi James. As a rule, I’m suspicious of all things “trendy,” but it’s always flattering when people actually read my smack. However, if I could determine in advance what posts should be enthusiastically shared, I’d select this one.

This is a very short video about a soldier whose name should be a household word. Many already know his story, but the majority of Americans have no idea who this guy is, what he did, and how he helped save the world. Please watch it, and please pass it on to anyone who you believe might benefit from a bit a perspective, in these…uncertain times.

Also, make a note. If you enjoy these kinds of tributes, and would like to see a dozen more back to back, check out “The Honors.” It airs on The American Heroes Channel on 13 November, 8AM, EST. And, REELZ, and 11AM, EST. And, for military personnel - American Forces Network on Saturday, November 19th at 4 PM EST. As grateful as I am to see a show like this make it on TV, it’s extraordinary that no one wants to air it in Primetime. I’ll be DVR’ing it, and I encourage you to do likewise. Who knows? Maybe courage will trend…

Have a nice weekend, and for the love of God, don’t show this to The Biped.

Regards,
Freddy

Naturally, my friend James – the producer standing to my left – filmed everything, and turned some inexplicably weird footage into a segment that somehow, against the laws of good taste and common sense, made it on the air.

Later, this same collaboration and overall lapse in judgement would lead to a segment called Somebody’s Gotta Do It, which eventually turned into a show called Dirty Jobs. So, thanks Heather. Hope you’re well.

Mike

As a rule, I try to avoid television sets where the cameramen are positioned around an unmade bed, but Reason TV doesn’t appear to have an actual set. They prefer to interview their subjects in random hotel rooms, which is fine by me. Reasonable, you might say. Likewise, Nick Gillespie only owns one black, leather jacket, which he never takes off. This too, seems reasonable. I believe that Nick is trying to do for black leather jackets what I did for innocuous, logo-less baseball caps.

Anyway, if I were King of the World, all interviews would be conducted in this fashion, and all interviewers would dress in leather. As mentioned, we cover many topics, and I make several regrettable comments, but mostly – the entire conversation is a shout out to this page, and the most unusual dynamic that’s emerged from exposing 4 million people to the flotsam and jetsam of my daily doings. So I thought perhaps I should call it to your attention. http://bit.ly/2esQG8M

It’s longer than usual, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Or so I’m told.

Mike

PS. The attached image should not be confused with my personal endorsement of drones, cameras, bathrobes, Donald Trump, or anything else. Proximity and validation are not synonymous.

Many of you have requested I allow myself to be jammed into this latex onesie and prance around like some sort of furry sausage. Well, I’m here to tell you, that dog don't hunt. I mean, come on. Look at these poor bastards. What kind of bet did they lose? Are they off to a bobsled meet? Are they going to space? Do they even know they're wrapped in what amounts to pair of giant underpants?

Look - just because H. Sapien has turned his back on shame doesn’t mean I’m incapable of experiencing it. So – thanks, but no. I’ll continue to go commando and watch my hair fall out, in accordance with my species. And you can continue to pick it up, in accordance with yours.

Regards,
Freddy

Robert

Hi Robert - Thanks for the photo. I don’t really know why I’m posting it. Partly, I guess, to recognize your delightful aesthetic.

Few art lovers have the courage to juxtapose a battered baby doll atop an NFL football – particularly one autographed by the finest quarterback to ever play the game. Kudos, for thinking outside the gridiron, and challenging traditional artistic convention. Given the recent controversies surrounding the NFL, I can only imagine the conversations this installation has triggered.

Also, it’s a fine representation of your generous spirit. If memory serves, you paid over $500 for The Bilge Baby, a truly troubling mascot once lashed to the mast of work boat featured on Dirty Jobs, and a cherished heirloom that lived in my garage for nearly five years before finding a new home in your tasteful office. That money, along with roughly four million additional dollars has helped fund a lot of work-ethic scholarships, so thanks for that.

Mostly though, if I’m being honest, I’m posting this image because it’s now seared into my retina, and frankly, I don’t want to be the only one haunted by it.

So, drink it in Facebook, and have a swell Sunday.

Mike

Three years later, he was fighting in The War of 1812 aboard a ship called the Essex. When The Essex captured an enemy ship, he was given the responsibility of bringing it back to port. He was 12 years old then. Yeah, twelve.

At fourteen, he was wounded and captured by the British. Etc., etc., etc. The guy’s resume is more than enough to make mortal men feel decidedly lacking.

Fifty years later, as the Civil War raged, Farragut distinguished himself - again - in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Mobile was the Confederacy's last major open port on the Gulf of Mexico. The bay was heavily mined with torpedoes, (tethered mines), when Farragut ordered his fleet to charge the bay. When the USS Tecumseh struck a mine and sank, the other ships all pulled back, justifiably hesitant. Not Farragut. He had lashed himself to the rigging of his flagship, USS Hartford.

"What's the trouble?", he shouted through a trumpet to USS Brooklyn.

"Torpedoes", was the shouted reply.

"Damn the torpedoes,", said Farragut, "full speed ahead!”

Isn't that fantastic?

The rest of the fleet followed him into the bay. Farragut kicked Franklin Buchanan’s butt, and won a great victory. On December 21, 1864, Lincoln promoted Farragut to vice admiral.

Anyway, happy birthday, sailors. And Semper Fortis!

Mike

PS. To the men and women aboard the John C. Stennis – I’ve not forgotten about you. Somebody’s Gotta Do It is coming back, somewhere new, soon. The segment looks great.Stay tuned…

Here’s a picture of me holding a rabbit.

As images go, this one strikes me as both happy and positive, with an undeniable subtext of implied optimism. I hope it’s what you had in mind. Alas, there is no uplifting story attached. In fact, I have no memory of this photo being taken, and no recollection of the rabbit posing with me. Zero. I don’t even recognize the shirt I’m wearing.

If I had to guess, I’d say it was taken sometime in 2001, while I was hosting Evening Magazine for CBS. Back then, I wore better clothes and smiled a lot more. Not because I was happier, but because I was impersonating a professional TV Host. As you may know, professional TV Hosts are encouraged to smile at all times, regardless of what they’re holding.

To be clear, Twins, I’m not saying it’s inconsistent to smile at the camera while wearing a nice shirt and cradling a bunny rabbit. Not at all. But let’s be honest - it’s not like I’m holding a panda, or a penguin, or platypus, or something endangered or bursting with inherent interest. Those creatures would justify a genuine grin, way more than a random Leporidae, most likely from the Lagomorpha order, lying prostrate on its furry back for reasons known only to the mammal itself.

Regardless, I do hope this enigmatic image will evoke in you both a measure of sanguinity, and provide some brief respite from the relentless drumbeat of political demagoguery. The more I look at it, the more I'm convinced there's reason for hope.

Unless of course, the rabbit is dead. In which case, never mind.

Carry on, Dirty Jobs Twins.
Carry on.

Mike

Hi Jessica

As a rule, I try not to repeat myself. I find it both redundant and repetitive. Yesterday though, a piece I wrote back in August was reposted on a site called qpolitical. It now appears to have gone viral. I’m glad, because for once, the words are in fact my own – reprinted exactly as they first appeared on this very page. https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe/posts/1254500967893377

The only mistake is the headline. I didn't write this in the wake of Sunday's debate; I wrote it back in August. My original post was an explanation to a fan as to why I would never use my celebrity - such as it is - to persuade people I’ve never met to cast a ballot. I’m re-sharing today for several reasons.

1.Everyday, someone asks me to encourage the electorate to vote. I won't do that, and the attached article explains why.

2. Since my original post, social media has become flooded with celebrities who seem determined – absolutely determined – to do everything in their power to persuade their fans to cast a ballot in November. Neil Patrick Harris, James Franco, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Stanley Tucci, Martin Sheen…there are too many to count.

3. None of these celebrities encourage their fans to get informed – only to vote. And all of them seem to believe it’s your civic duty to cast a ballot. It’s not. Voting is a right, not a duty. The difference is important to understand.

4. I’m flattered. qpolitical has interspersed my original words with images of me addressing various crowds from various stages, and strolling down random streets with purpose. All this imagery creates the impression I’m presenting my thoughts to a variety of different audiences. A man on the move! It's a much more interesting dynamic than static shots of my kitchen table, where the article was actually written, and where most of my deep thinking occurs...

Mike