Being There. . .

Peter Sellers is one of my all-time favorite actors and although he is best known for his recurring comedic role as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies, his greatest role and one he was nominated for an Academy Award for was as Chance "Chauncey Gardener" in the political satire Being There.

A simpleton and a gardener, Chance is thrown out on the streets after his life-long employer passes away. Through happenstance, Chance's innocence, and an elementary perspective of the world, he becomes embroiled in the political quagmire that is Washington, D.C. It is here, that his utter uncomplicated, naive, but straightforward worldview affected the lives and sour political situations he became involved in. He is viewed by the power players around him as a brilliant thinker and is oblivious to the subtle and not-so-subtle chaos of wealth, power and politics. Yet, through it all, his effect upon those around him is profound and through it all he remains unchanged and true. He remains Chance, the gardener.

I said all that to point out that no matter how educated or worldly one may become in life, it is much easier to be who you are than to wear the sheep's clothing and pretend to be someone you are not. Especially, when everyone knows you are a wolf. Plain virtue and honesty go a long way in the United States. Some have it, while others do not.

Follow the link below and click over to photo #17, the last one.

A picture is worth a thousand words and the only one that comes to my mind is pretender.

G20 Wags