The Three Questions We Raised Last Week

How Bad Is It, Anything Helpful Out There, Focus on the Next 18+ Months?

Where We Are, How Do We Proceed

Things may not be quite as bad as the image at the top of this post, but you get the point.

Last week, after a welcome and helpful time for reflection, we talked a bit about that infamous election and what we know it meant, vs all the speculation about why it happened. We promised this week to take up the three questions that arise from a recognition as to where we are as a country.

Laurel & Hardy Come to Mind

Not The Election We Expected. Now What?

The Value of Reflection

Like most everyone who reads this blog, I expect, I was taken aback (to put it mildly) by the presidential election. Not the result so many hoped for, and at least tentatively expected. Enough was “off track” that it seemed to me prudent to take a deep breath, sort through some data, reflect on it all a bit, and then organize thoughts and potential actions.

My first reaction was that famous quote from Laurel and Hardy, amended to say “Well, America – another fine mess you got us into.” A true statement,

Farewell to All That

This is a Tough One to Write

What The National Election Says About Us

 As a general guideline, I have always thought one should look at three primary things in choosing a president. One, character. Two, the ability to lead and get things done. Three, policies and positions.

In all candor, we generally have not had to worry too much about the first factor; even people we disagree with can be fudged to doing the best they can for the country, in their own way.

The second factor can be harder to judge with a new candidate,

The Closing Arguments Said It All

Today is the Day, America

It’s all over except the remaining voters still in line across the country and the final vote counts. It is possible, but unlikely, that we will know who won by late tonight. More likely, it will take a few days.

There is nothing left to say at this point. Every American has the information they need to decide – now we are doing just that.

Both Chose Their Final Messaging

In so many ways, the closing arguments of both campaigns really did say it all.

One chose – not by coincidence,

Reflections on Courage

Character Counts. Courage May be the Most Important Component Today

So, I Had This Idea

 I decided a couple of weeks ago that the subject of Courage would be a suitable topic for this posting, the last one before election day. As you will see shortly, my focus was to be, and still partly is, on courage by election officials and judges.

But things happen. Last week, the billionaire owners of two of the country’s largest newspapers, the LA Times and the Washington Post, interfered with editorial autonomy at the very last minute and cancelled endorsements by both papers for VP Harris.

A Little of This, a Little of That

A Mix of Things Rise to Commentary This Week

What Next in the Middle East?

The death of Hamas leader Sinwar is about a big a thing as one could imagine. Will it lead to a change of fortune for Palestinians and Israelis? It should, but the truth is no one knows at this point. It seems the Biden team has been working the possibilities hard already, not only with the principle players but with other countries as well, Middle Eastern and European.

Tom Friedman of the NY Times, a guy with deep roots in the region,

It’s STILL The Economy, Stupid

There Are Two Areas of Vulnerability for the Harris Ticket; This Is The Main One

Some Things Never Change

Most of remember the famous line from the first Bill Clinton Campaign, first spoken by the always outspoken James Carville (a guy many of us think of delightedly as the reincarnation of Hunter Thompson), It’s The Economy, Stupid. His point was that voters feel their wallets as they reach for the voting lever. How they feel about the economy as it affects their lives carries great weight in voting choices.

So has it always been,

A Season of Change

Fall is Here And It Is Not Only the Weather That Is Changing. Just Ask Trump

Ah, Fall

This is, by far, my favorite season. It is one reason we moved to live in the mountains. My only complaint is that it is too short a season. The slight crispness of the air, the spectacular foliage, followed by a time to admire the architecture and beauty of bare trees. It is a reminder that time marches on and more change is coming.

This year, that promise of change, both good and bad, in in the air of human endeavors.

A Baker’s Dozen – 13 Reasons Why You Might Vote for Trump & Vance

A Sarcastic Posting on Voting for the Orange One

About This Posting

No one who is a regular reader of this blog would be fooled into expecting to find an endorsement for the most famous felon in America to again soil the Oval Office. This posting is in the spirit of a Borowitz column, in the spirit of fun.

That there are still people out there who actually think Trump is a good idea is both baffling and sad. I hope many of them seek out the professional help they need. If anything in this posting encourages you to vote for Trump,

Two Trump Failures to Never Forget

This is a Man of Many Flaws. Two Cited Here Infuse All The Others

Recent Reminders

Two matters are in the news a great deal of late, one called up by the Trump, the other inflicted by Trump. Both highlight what an unworthy person this is.

The Afghanistan Withdrawal

Trump has tried mightily to blame Biden for a terrible withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has done so with some success. Biden’s public ratings took a beating after the withdrawal and never fully recovered. But the fact is, as we shall discuss momentarily, that this lies squarely on Trump’s shoulders,