Touche'

"One Upmanship" is a term I learned in the 1960's while sitting in a movie theater near the intersection of 18th and Rhode Island Ave in Northeast Washington, D C.

As the youngest and only female child in the family, I often went to the movies with my parents. From their point of view, it was cheaper and more educational to take me with them than to leave me with a sitter; and from mine, it was lots more entertaining. And after all, movies were milder then and I was most a most amiable tag-a-long.

My father was a true fan of the British comedy and loved the actor Terry Thomas. Terry was most discernible by the rather large gap between his front teeth, much like Lauren Hutton, model in the '70's. (There is something refreshing about imperfection, isn't there?)

"School for Scoundrels" was a classic black and white example of the Brit humor of the time. In the movie, the character was trained in the art of making his opponent look foolish, while he assumed a cavalier air. Using a variety of circumstances and games, our man Terry was transformed from a 'wuss' to polished gentleman, while forcing his opponent to be seen as an idiot.

I thought of the movie, Terry Thomas, and the art of 'one upmanship' this morning when I read of Fidel Castro's offer to send 1000 Cuban doctors to the hurricane-battered area of our country. And I did wonder if Fidel had a recent viewing of the movie, or is he simply a benevolent humanitarian? (Is Fidel mellowing?)

Either way, guess who looks like the fool, especially if he defers to his stalwart conservative base of supporters and rejects the offer? (Not only the New Orleans refugees are mired in mud, you know.)

The Fairy Blogmother's advice for Mr. Bush-- Take the high road and the extended helping hand- and do it graciously.