On Gravitas

That’s why I have some words of advice for Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama. These are two men of peace, respected around the world. They certainly have my respect.

grav·i·tas (grăv’ĭ-täs’)

pronunciation

n.

1. Substance; weightiness: a frivolous biography that lacks the gravitas of its subject.

2. A serious or dignified demeanor: “Our national father figure needs gravitas, [but] he’s pitched himself as the kid brother” (John Leo).

Call me old fashioned, but I think there’s something to be said for gravitas. And, there are certain people and positions which benefit from gravitas.

That’s why I have some words of advice for Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama&#185. These are two men of peace, respected around the world. They certainly have my respect.

dalai lama microphone.jpgTo the Dalai Lama: no more Madonna microphone!

I saw video of an appearance last week and there was His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, wearing a microphone that anchored on his ear and thrust past his cheek. No matter what he said, that darned microphone was all I could think about.

Clip on a lavalier. Step up to a mic on a stand. I don’t care. I want you to be heard. Just not this way!

popemobile.jpgOn to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. My problem here is his vehicle – the Popemobile (I’m guessing it’s a proper noun, but I might be wrong).

Actually, the vehicle is fine. It’s important to keep him safe. My problem is with the name, “Popemobile.”

Shouldn’t the word Popemobile be saved in case the pope decides to become a crime fighting super hero? Or, maybe, I should give in and start calling the photographers who try and snap his photo, the popearazzi?

What Pope Benedict XVI needs to avoid, is the problem faced by Denny’s customers, where “Moons Over My Hammy®,” is what customers must ask for to get a ham and egg sandwich.

&#185 – There is a www.dalailama.com? Really!

3 thoughts on “On Gravitas”

  1. I’m LOL at that shot of the Popemobile. It looks like he’s sitting in 3 feet of water…kind of like a portable dunk tank!

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