“You gotta remember that these are just simple farmers. People of the land – the common clay of the new west. You know – morons.”

Forced off-topic by the weekend’s dispiriting events at the world’s airports — caused by the President’s mis-guided, ill-informed and downright duplicit inversion of our national policies on immigration – which I have long felt should start with the call at the base of the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor…”

In times of trouble there is a saloon and party game by which to resist despair, and even to inject some relief – that is, to draw upon the characters of literature, theater or film to cast the players in current situations.

No more than two weeks into the first hundred days of the Trump administration, and so subject to refining as events transpire, here is a first attempt.

With both credit and apologies to Mel Brooks, and his brilliant “Blazing Saddles” (1974), return with me to the sleepy western settlement of Rock Ridge, which suggests these:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, lest there be any doubt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

No need here for a glossary or answer key, I shouldn't think. But let me know.

Also, additions or annotations are invited and welcome.

 

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