Last night I discovered a man, maybe he’s in his 70’s, maybe he’s 80 - doing Taekwondo by the East River. After a quick introduction, we get to talking, or rather he gets to talking. He is happy to demonstrate Taekwondo but more than that - he is like a lot of the old people I meet - or maybe it’s all people I meet - he claims to know all secrets of the human heart, as well as the human brain. He has the answer to all of the world’s problems.

He is French. His name is Jean-Paul. And he is on his seventh trip around the world.

I believe him. Of course, I believe just about anyone. And then he rattles on for about a half hour while I click some portraits of him. He finally concludes with the wizard-like pronouncement that Americans are spoiled, that we are terrorists, and that what this country needs is a good military government.

He claims that the military should rule here. He also pronounces that everyone that is running this country - most countries for that matter - are only after one thing: power.

So there is something in his speech for everyone. After a while, I get bored, shake his hand and go on my way to reshoot some of my river stuff.

I wonder why people must pretend to know everything. Why everyone’s aunt and uncle can give you advice on any subject at all. Sometimes, my aunt Fay discusses the pros and cons of various types of brain surgery. But if you ask her where her coat is - she doesn’t know.

As I walk off - Jean Paul declaims that we will meet again. Surely we will, I reply. And yes, I’ll have a print for him the next time we meet.

But I can’t help but wonder where he’s bound. Will he be practicing Taekwondo on the streets of Paris next. He says he hasn’t been back to his own country in years - and maybe it’s time to return.

Why is it so hard to live in doubt; to live without knowing what it’s all about? Without having opinions about subjects we know nothing about?

Last night, our Governor, who was elected as a white horse candidate, as a man who would ride into town and clean things up in the state’s capital was accused of having used an expensive Washington prostitute. So now you ask people - how can such a thing be? How can a reform candidate step so far over the line?

And watch the answers: power corrupts. All politicians are phonys. It was a frame-up by the opposition. And I’m sure many other opinions. But it is just so difficult to understand without walking in this guys shoes. He will be the topic for late-night comedians for at least two weeks. And don’t get me wrong - I’m as shocked and amused as anyone - but this guy was elected overwhelmingly. The one thing that was never in doubt was his character.

Like I say, from here on in, ask me anything of a non-factual nature, and I’m just going to shake my head and say: sorry, I don’t know. If you need advice, go ask Jean-Paul.

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Credit: Dave Beckerman @ New York Photography

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