On 60 Minutes last night, Leslie Stahl interviewed the incoming Speaker of the House, Representative John Boehner of Ohio. Several times during their obviously convivial chat, Representative Boehner said he had “been chasing the American Dream” all of his working life and, summing up his posture on the deficit said "Making sure that these kids have a shot at the American Dream like I did . . . is important."

The “American Dream” is often thought to be a cornerstone of the American experience, probably something that came across the Atlantic with the first Puritans. But in fact, it was an idea that we would recognize until James Truslow Adams, a historian, wrote a chapter called “The American Dream,” in his textbook, The Epic of America (1931). He wrote that “the American Dream” is:

“[A] dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

Let’s face it: Rich Republicans hate government workers. Actually, they hate all union workers too. For example, let’s take a close look at the state of Wisconsin, where multi-millionaire Governor Scott Walker is attempting to end collective bargaining while increasing the cost of state employees’ health care and pensions plans to the tune of $137 million. Why? In part the answer is to pay for the $140 million tax break he gave last month to the largest corporations, including that anti-union stalwart, Wal-Mart. But it is also fueled by his hatred of public employees and unions. And he is not alone. Walker's move to crush the unions and further demonize state workers is, of course, also heartily endorsed by fellow multi-millionaire Speaker of the House John Boehner, who released a statement commending Walker for “daring to speak the truth about the dire fiscal challenges Americans face at all levels of government."

Today is Saturday. It is the end of a very good health week for me and there is much to be thankful for, from San, Nic, and Alyssa’s company, love, and care, to the laughter in our living room watching Max play “Ready, Set ... Go!” to the final triumph of good over evil in the Harry Potter movie that we saw on Thursday. I am dreaming again. Even the weather has cooperated, with cooler temperatures in the early morning for our Max walk to an absence of the dreaded summer haboobs like the one that blew in on us two weeks ago. (Note to self: what is the plural of haboob? Haboobs sounds hilariously wrong, and yes, sometimes I have the sense of humor of a thirteen year-old boy. But even the singular “haboob” sounds like something you’d call an adult you didn’t like who was also not very intelligent: You haboob, you!)

Put that aside for now. I know it may not seem related to French onion soup, but you’ll see.

Why French onion soup? Because later today, or maybe tomorrow if I get sidetracked by email or Facebook, I plan to make French onion soup from a Tyler Florence recipe that takes a little time but is going to be well worth it. One improvement this recipe has over traditional versions is that in addition to carmelizing the onions, you add red wine and cook the mixture down until the onions are almost dry, a process that seals into onions a winey sweetness while imparting richness to the overall flavor of this beef broth based soup. Tyler Florence also teaches us the value of broiling baguette slices with the Gruyere on top and then cutting the slices into square croutons, which makes a much easier way to manage the cheesy goo that can otherwise turn a French onion soup feast into a French onion soup mess.

Try it yourself. If you don’t like the result, well, something may be wrong with you, haboob. 

That last line was intended to bring a smile to your face. But because today’s blog is about dealing with small challenges to our sensibilities, I’d like you to pretend to be offended by it. So much so that you feel the need to respond to it, not calling on what Lincoln named as “the better angels” of our natures, but instead . . . well, read on.

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The country is facing imminent fiscal default but aside from posting outrage on Facebook and withdrawing a little emergency cash from the bank, Nic and I decided to spend this particular Monday watching Captain America triumph over evil. At least in the movies the good guys win.

The tab for tickets, popcorn, nachos, and drinks did, in fact, challenge our debt limit but hey, spending a couple of hours watching a nostalgia-filled action film didn’t threaten social security or Medicaid, although I did wonder why our Defense Department needed so much money to fight wars when a few of those cool pulse weapons that were featured in the film could more efficiently wipe out the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Throw in Captain America’s weaponized shield and there would be no more trouble from right wing extremists either.

Magical thinking, I know. But given the magical thinking that thus far has characterized Congressional approaches to dealing with our economy, if there was a choice between John Boehner and Captain America to solve our problems, I bet most Americans would choose the Captain. And that is really, really sad.

The first law of handgun safety is that the gun is always loaded. Always. Following that law prevents shooting someone else or yourself by accident.

The second law of handgun safety is you should never point the gun at anything you don’t intend to destroy. Never. Handguns are weapons. Loaded handguns are loaded weapons.

The third law of handgun safety is to never hand a loaded gun to anyone. Always remove the clip and/or the bullets before placing the gun down on a level surface with the business end of the weapon pointing away from anyone else.

These are three laws you do not want to forget. Here’s why: When fired, handguns destroy some or all of whatever they are pointed at. You may point the business end of the gun at nothing more threatening than a paper target or a tin can, but make no mistake: the gun doesn’t know a paper target or a tin can from a human heart.

There are reasons why gun enthusiasts call the above three statements about gun safety “laws.” But even if you have never fired a weapon or if you are an expert, you already get my point: Guns are serious business.

Which is to say, also, that a handgun – or any gun - should never be given to anyone who is not fully trained in gun safety.

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