Jackie Says…

Maybe you recall my previous reference to Jackie Chiles, Seinfeld! Super-Lawyer.  If not, an August 2012 post admires his way of thinking and talking about topics in “threes”.   Here are a few thoughts on what Jackie might be currently Pullulating! Ruminating! And Fulminating!, or positions he might be Querying! Preparing!  And Declaring!

Affluence!  Influence!  and Virulence!

These are political times.  I’m not an overly political guy.  But it’s pretty obvious to me that a common pattern is emerging at local, state and national levels.  Those with the affluence have the influence.  And too often, that influence is used in seemingly misguided, self-interested endeavors.  We’re all subject to the resultant virulence of these bad ideas, and recovery might be slow.  Wars, financing, (lack of) oversight, meddlesome self-interests, term limits, (lack of) campaign finance reform, suspicion of science and experiments with our children’s education; I could go on, but I suspect these are ageless social issues that will never be resolved to everybody’s mutual satisfaction.  But have we generally forgotten about any premise of personal obligations to do what’s best in the main, at least occasionally?  Have we forgotten that it’s OK to develop and defend your own opinion?  Or that not everything is for sale; and that it’s not the right of those who are able to simply buy societal outcomes or public resources?

Flexibility!  Understandability! and Enforceability!

Here’s a concept that’s been pretty key to my work, but that I think applies to our daily lives and dealings with others.  Our lives would be simpler if the “rules” we live by were universally flexible, understandable, and enforceable.  We’d have options, we’d know our obligations, and we’d understand and be able to anticipate outcomes and consequences.   Of course, when you think about it, each of these concepts thrives, to varying degrees, at the expense of the other two.  So a flexible rule is probably complex and difficult to enforce; an understandable rule would likely be simplistic and either over-reaching or too narrow in scope so as to be effective; and an enforceable rule, if understandable, is likely rigid; and if flexible, likely incomprehensible.  Our rules and guidance in the Real World are a precarious balance of these traits; a 3-legged stool on which we rest.  Too much expansion or attrition in any particular direction will upset the balance and utility of the stool; politicians, regulators, parents, partners and fair-minded citizens should all keep this in mind.

Catostomids!  Ictalurids! and Cyprinids!

But hey, this is supposed to be about fishing, so let’s at least recognize these three families of so-called “trash fish” as being wonderful additions to local fishing options.  And while they may not generally represent my main quarry, they’re always a welcome purfling to my primary pursuits.  I can’t say I’ve ever been disappointed at catching a sucker, catfish or carp.  And let’s face it, my First Choice in 2013 (in open water) was the pursuit of suckers; and some of the largest fish I’ll encounter this season might very well be catfish and carp.  It’s hard to argue with the value afforded by their collective availability, accessibility, and simplicity of their pursuit.  So enjoy each one, recognize their unconventional beauty, treat them with respect, and don’t be afraid to admit that you love them.

Suckers!

Catfish!

Carp!