January, 2023 archive
American Exceptionalism 0
Once again, the United States sets an example that others follow.
Afterthought:
Americans need to stop kidding themselves that loftiness of the American dream somehow washes away the reality of America’s history.
The Snaring Economy 0
Unexpected (and uninvited) visitors.
Persons have accused me of being cynical ever since I was a young ‘un, but, clearly, I am not cynical enough, as I am continually taken aback by the random venality that occurs daily on the inner tubes.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another driver is polite in passing.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Methinks Steve M. is being a bit of an optimist here.
The Rule of Flaw 0
Josh Grohlke is–er–less than optimistic about Kevin McCarthy’s coming tenure as Speaker of the House. Here’s a bit of what he has to say:
Follow the link for the rest.
Resolved 0
A life-long Republican shares his New Year’s resolution at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Not this year. I have made only one resolution — never, ever again will I vote for a Republican candidate for anything until the Grand Old Party — that I once enthusiastically supported — has succeeded in purging the MAGA craziness from the party.
Follow the link for his reasoning.
“What It Was, Was Football”* 0
In aftermath of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest on the field (happily he seems to be recovering), Randall Balmer wonders what Americans find so enticing about so dangerous a sport. A snippet:
Which brings us back to the question about whether there is something about American society that draws us – myself included, by the way – to the carnage of football.
Aside:
I used to be a football fan. I looked forward to watching all the bowl games on New Year’s Day and a number that were not on New Year’s Day; I rooted for several NFL teams over the years. Now, though, I’ve lost all interest in football. The games have gotten far too long, the NFL owners are a mostly a bunch of jerks, and the NCAA is only in it for the money. (Indeed, the only sporting organization of which I have a lower opinion than of the NCAA is FIFA.)
My weekends are much more peaceful, relaxing, and productive now.
________________________
*With apologies to Andy Griffith.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
At the Tampa Bay Times, Daniel Ruth comments on the antics of Florida Man.
A Tune for the Times 0
Mangy comments at the Youtube page:
Kevin McCarthy is about to learn a lesson that has been learned by many who’ve finally had their dream come true. Just like those who finally got a large face tattoo, married the hot mean girl half their age, or quit their job and joined the circus, Kevin is about to learn that sometimes getting what you dreamed about can be WAY worse than you ever imagined.
The Party of the New Secesh Prepares To Party Hearty 0
Now that the House of Representatives has (sort of) resolved its stalemate over should be speaker, Michael in Norfolk thinks what will come next will not be pretty.
Aside:
It reminds me of Congress in the 1850s.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Michael Corrigan remembers Donald Trump’s (and yes, it was his, as he instigated it) January 6th insurrection.
The image that haunts me is the insurgent walking around the Capitol carrying a Confederate flag.
Follow the link for more memories.
Aside:
Many years ago, in the early years of my career at Amtrak, I lived in an apartment building named Fort Ward Towers (I think it since went condo) in Alexandria, Va., and, I must say, I had a fun three years there. Right across the street was Fort Ward Park, which preserved a bit of Fort Ward, one the 27 I think it was Civil War forts that ringed Washington during that conflict. It was quiet, pleasurable place, and my roommates and I would visit it from time to time.
Fort Ward is a museum piece.
But the South is still rising again and the war is not over.
Gilded Age Redux 0
Thom argues that, “while the battle for House Speaker appears to be about personality, it’s really about ideology. It’s about the future of ‘big government’ and the American middle class” in this, the new Gilded Age.
The Function of Dysfunction? 0
Even as normal persons might be tempted to point and laugh (“Republicans in disarray!”) at the Republican Party’s inability as of the time of this writing to select a Speaker of the House, Grung_e_Gene argues that their own dysfunction perversely reinforces their narrative. A snippet (emphasis added):
I commend the rest of his post to your attention.
Also, too.
Misdirection Play, Multiple Motions Dept. 0
New York Judge Justice Arthur Engoron orders Trump lawyers to stop with the frivolous filings. At Above the Law, Liz Dye translates the legalese:
Follow the link for context.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
The rot gets deeper.
I do not think it’s much of a stretch to argue that, though slavery is America’s original sin, its fascination with firearms is its Achilles heel.