Rhubarb Report: Episode 36

March is, without question, the best month of the year. March Madness, the promised land of college hoops, is upon us again. The annual basketball madness is now in full swing, but it isn’t just a basketball phenomenon this year. We have plenty of other madness taking place in the world of politics, sport and music.

There is plenty of rhubarb for everyone. Dig into to another healthy dose – and keep the television remote close by for all those basketball games!

1. With spring break at the University of Texas comes the influx of foreigners (i.e. anyone not from Texas) to partake in the South By Southwest Music, Film, and Interactive Conference. I have always had a hard time saying “music conference” since those two words just don’t seem to fit together. Nonetheless, what started in 1987 has now put Austin on the global map. For that, we can thank SXSW in its myriad of forms.

This weekend also brings the start of the Formula One season in Australia. Though many will continue to debate the issue, Formula One will also put Austin firmly on the global map. When there is a rumor that London will have a direct flight to Austin, you know we are a part of the global village – or, that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has spoken directly with the major airlines because he needs to have it so. Just sayin’ …

2. The Republican Party have found their own version of March Madness as well. It all begins with their ongoing reality-TV-ish primaries and caucuses. Rick Santorum continues to push his archaic agenda, perhaps setting the free world back about a century or so. Boy, those Dark Ages sure were super, weren’t they? Mitt Romney continues to present himself as the most bland candidate in recent history. As Martin Bashir noted, Mitt Romney has become the Prince Charles of the Republican Party. A fine analogy, indeed. Romney is the “favorite” that nobody seems to want to officially “crown” as the Republican presidential candidate.

And then there is Rush Limbaugh. Oh wait, he’s not in the running. But everyone fears what Limbaugh says more so than any other actual candidate.

But you never know with the voting populace in this country. Stranger things have happened – in the not-so-distant past, I might add.

3. So tell me straight – was there really no way for Peyton Manning to finish his career with the Colts? I mean, seriously. After 14 years, the guy was the face of the Colts. I suspect he would have taken a pay cut to finish his career there, and could you have any better mentor for Andrew Luck? I just don’t get it. Remember, these are the same owners that moved the Colts out of Baltimore in the dead of night. It seems there was a lot of short-sightedness on someone’s fault in all of this. Luck may have all the makings of a pro quarterback, but then again, that is what they said about Ryan Leaf.

Photo credits: Wikipedia