Original anecdotes, commentary, rumination, and occasional pontification.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020 – I was angry all day yesterday, despite Biden’s chance of winning by a hair, or more precisely, because of his chance of winning only by a hair. With effort I assumed a happy face for our five-year old granddaughter, who was happily oblivious to the impact that the election will have …
NOVEMBER 4, 2020 – Well, as it turns out, I was wrong about a Blue Tsunami. The best half (apparently) of America can hope for is that Biden/Harris squeak through with 270 electoral votes. Four years ago I wondered how in the world close to half the country could support a person as patently dishonest, …
November 2, 2020 – Yesterday I left town for a quick dash up to the Red Cabin before tomorrow’s turning point in history. My excuse was to check on the hundreds of bud caps I’d stapled to the white pine saplings in my “tree garden.” I’d completed the project just before the first big, wet …
NOVEMBER 1, 2020 – In the current campaign one of Republicans’ drumbeat syllogisms goes like this: Socialism is bad. Democrats are socialists. Therefore, Democrats are bad. This strategy is effective among consumers of FoxNews. They’ve learned to condemn socialism and anyone associated with it. Yet they’ve come to this belief not by any substantive explanation …
OCTOBER 31, 2020 – For a long time yesterday afternoon, helicopters hovered high overhead not far from our neighborhood. The last time that occurred was during the civil unrest in the aftermath of the George Floyd shooting late last spring. This time around, the occasion was much brighter. Vice President Biden was in town to …
OCTOBER 27, 2020 – When I say what I’m about to say, my wife frowns, telling me I’ll jinx my prediction. In reply I quip, “But I believe in math and science.” Despite the darkness that now shadows our nation, I think we’re on the cusp of a much brighter era. Within a reasonably short …
OCTOBER 25, 2020 – Today’s edition of CBS Sunday Morning featured a segment on the contested presidential election of 1876—an historical episode providing valuable insights. America had been torn asunder by the Civil War (1861- 65). In the aftermath came Reconstruction and the Civil War Amendments; for a time, Blacks in the South were afforded …
OCTOBER 24, 2020 – With 10 days to go to Election Day, or more precisely “The Last Voting Day,” a CAT-5 political storm bears down on the nation. As we huddle in the face of fury, I predict an historic surge and obliteration. FIRST: the winds pack three acute, determinative crises: 1. Covid, which threatens …
OCTOBER 23, 2020 – My wife and I listened to every word of last night’s “debate.” We declared Biden the winner hands down, though Kristen Welker deserves special mention for her superb job in formulating questions and moderating the affair. GoebbelsNews declared Il Dunce the victor thanks to red herrings mixed with red meat. Observers …
OCTOBER 22, 2020 – Last night I finished reading Barbara Tuchman’s Stilwell and the American Experience in China – 1911 to 1945 (See my 9/3/20 post). Her thesis: America’s wartime policy toward China was a failure, and the outcome would’ve been more beneficial to our long-term interests had we not continued to back “G-mo”—Generalissimo Chiang …
OCTOBER 19, 2020 – I started out a conservative, thanks to strong family influences, but over the decades I’ve shifted leftward. I was destined to stay a Young Republican until I sat next to a fellow 18-year old—who had no more business being conservative at that age than I did—aboard one of several busloads of …
OCTOBER 16 2020 – An acquaintance of mine thinks I’m a “radical leftist.” I’m not, but because I questioned his support of Trump five years ago, I left the immutable impression that I’m not merely opposed to Trump but a radical leftist. Or more precisely, because I’m opposed to Trump, I’m a radical leftist. What …
OCTOBER 14, 2020 – In yesterday’s confirmation hearing, Senator Whitehouse revealed the “dark money” campaign to get arch-conservatives appointed to the judiciary. He demonstrated effectively how a few deep pockets hold sway over how we’re governed. Immediately following Whitehouse was Senator Cruz, who countered the Rhode Islander by citing all the “dark money” from liberal …
OCTOBER 13, 2020 – Republican Senators are hell-bent on confirming Amy Coney Barrett’s appointment to the Supreme Court. It’s a power play to advance a regressive social agenda. It’s also Constitutional. GoebbelsNews feeds “the base” canned red meat by asking, “Will Biden pack the court?”—if elected, will Biden add liberal-leaning justices to the Supremes’ bench …
OCTOBER 6, 2020 – Yesterday the media fell for yet another publicity stunt by the fake president. I’m convinced they’re in cahoots—real media and a pretend mogul. If Trump hadn’t been allowed to trumpet—starting with “birtherism”—we’d have avoided the runaway bus. According to a CNN poll, 63% of Americans think Trump was irresponsible in handling …
OCTOBER 2, 2020 – This is hurricane season in the Atlantic, and among the many dynamics that will affect the outcome of the approaching election, I’ve long cited the weather. What happens in states from Florida to North Carolina and Alabama to Texas and beyond if a CAT 5 storm strikes on the eve of …
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 – . . . after last’ night’s debate, I wish that Joe Biden were not who he is. I wish he were a Rhodes Scholar, a great debater, and 20 years younger. I wish he espoused a different policy here and there. I also wish that humankind were so perfect, it didn’t …
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 – Often the big story lies unmentioned behind the lead story. Take for example a recent screed on Facebook. A “friend” posted a piece allegedly by a police officer in Duluth, MN—the only attribution to the eloquent exposition was “A police officer.” (If lawyers and English professors were half as eloquent as …
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 – Netflix and competitors have produced quality TV entertainment in volumes unimaginable a generation ago. For many people isolated during the pandemic, Netflix is a godsend. Starting in March, I’ve watched 60 (!) episodes of Bolivar, dozens more of The Borgias, The Medicis, and Marco Polo. My wife, meanwhile, has watched This, …
SEPTEMBER 26,2020 – After three and a half years, no one should be surprised by Trump’s latest disruption of political norms. But his most recent assault on our democracy should motivate responsible Americans to vote for Biden in overwhelming numbers. What Trump has said about the electoral process is not merely “disruptive.” It undermines the …
SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 – The other night I woke up with a start. Despite having been fed a hearty supper and later snacks my stomach was growling. I felt no discomfort, just annoyance from the interruption of a beautiful “movie” . . . I mean, dream . . . about skiing. The noise—from my stomach, …
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 – Yesterday I stood in line for an hour to cast my ballot—affirmatively, convincingly, beyond all attempts to lose, miscount, question or disqualify that ballot. It would be no exaggeration to compare my feelings to how one feels when participating in a ritual of one’s religious organization. Granted, everyone wore a mask …
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 – As one headline after another suggests America is the Titanic amidst icebergs in the North Atlantic, we should take measure of our ship—our country—to understand better what kind of vessel we occupy. We’re 50 states, big and small, urban and rural, coastal and inland, West and East, North and South—each with …
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 – Out of nowhere Saturday came his text: “How are you and your family[?] Long time w no communication. I hope Trump doesn’t get to pick another SC Justice. Can we talk? Give me a good time tomorrow. Will be working on cabin. Jeff.” It was my close college friend, Jeff Oppenheim. …
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 – Yesterday I fled the cities again for the Red Cabin. That sounds as if the cities are “aflame,” but that’s not true. They’re safe and secure, and though lately the sun has exhibited an unusual orange tinge from West Coast smoke, the outdoor air is still breathable. Black Lives Mattersigns still blanket …