Category: Society

History Calls

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Will we Answer That Call?

Today’s Blog – A Change in Plans

The plan for today’s blog was to start a conversation on the economy, economics, and the interrelation with politics. That is always an important set of factors, and more so today than in many other times in our history.

But what surely looks like the murder of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the shooting of two people by ICE in Portland demand our attention. Lots has been and will be written about all of this, but some things demand attention by us all,

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It’s a New Year. What Awaits Us?
     

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A Few items to Consider

What Kind of Year Is Upon Us?

Thanks to everyone for your patience on the day+ delay on this posting. Still working through a few technical issues but looks like we are pretty much back on line, so here we go.

Too soon to tell, of course. There continue, and in some cases increasing, worrisome things afoot, but also some promising indicators have begun showing up. We will not try to list all those possibilities, but let’s take a look at 10 events/indicators worth observing and we will see how things go from there.

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In Praise of Interspecies Harmony

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Animals and People Change Each Other’s Lives

We Said That This Was The Last Time

Earlier this year our beloved border collie Bonnie died. She was an old girl with a long list of medical problems; it was time to let her rest. Knowing that is the right decision at the right time does not make it any easier. We take it hard when we lose a pet. Everyone grieves in their own way; for us time is a requirement. We think a lot about such a loss for many months.

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Maybe The Best Job on Planet Earth

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Tis the holiday season. Let’s give each other a gift and have some fun.

 A New “Business” Model

I refer to the topic of today, a new “business” in quotation marks because it looks like so much fun, it is more of a treat than a job. But it is spreading and it appears people are making a living doing this. There is at least one such service in my area- I bet more will pop up around the country. They already exist in Canada, too. 

Dogs On A Bus

If you are on social media,

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December 2, 2025

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A Cold, Hard Month is Coming In Many Ways

In terms of the actual weather, it has been all over the scale of severity around the country. My neck of the woods has had a pretty mild, if brisk, winter approach, while much of the country has endured really cold, tough weather. But the weather provides a good metaphor for the “climate” we humans construct- lots of turbulence, many storms, some rays of hope. Let’s take a look at some of the current sightings on our “weather map.”

How Could the Shooting of Two National Guardsmen Be Made Worse?

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A Seasonal Break From Politics

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Make A Wish…

Tis the Season

This time of year, from November through January, is full of holidays and commemorations, most of them originating in one religion or another, but mostly more cultural than religious at this point for most people.

In the midst of all this, we also find the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. I remember for several years when I was a member of a commercial gym, we all tended to stay away from the gym in January, since the facility was overrun with people who made resolutions to get fit.

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What A Week This Is

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No Shortage Of Potential Big Deal Events In These Days

Are We A Day Late?

Yes, we are a day late. This blog normally posts on Tuesday, but we had some technical speed bumps and in any case, it seemed better to wait a day to see what the elections developed. Boy, did those elections have an impact! Glad we waited to communicate. We have a lot to reflect upon.

Elections

Three local elections took place this week that have national implications. They are the governorship of VA and of NJ, and the mayor’s race in New York City.

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Why The Coming Midterm Elections Are More Important Than Ever

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Think About A Dress Rehearsal For A Coup

Our Vocabulary Is Changing, As Is Our Reality

People tend to be a little loose in the definition of political and social terms, especially when in a fight over an important issue. Trump and friends are quick to call anyone they disagree with communists. In an earlier time, some leftists and progressives were quick to call opponents reactionaries or fascists. It is easy to go overboard in describing others.

But in following the text of Project 2025, statements from throughout the Trump administration, and watching what actions are being taken – with the full support of far too many Republican legislators and officials – times have changed.

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You May Ask Three Questions…

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A Little Break From Politics

What Happens After Death?

I have long been interested in the widely differing views, beliefs, and expectations people have about death and what comes next. Some base their views on religion, most often one they grew up with or are surrounded by culturally. Others base their views on long and deep thinking about the subject, trying to apply reason, intellect, and spiritual aspects – not an easy task.

I’ll share my views sometime in the future in another post (one sure to agitate a lot of folks, one way or the other).

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Five Very Different Observations This Week

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No Shortage of Things to Think About, Is There?

The Roll Up of Senior Military Leaders

This mysterious call up of all senior military commanders and their senior enlisted members, all for a mysterious meeting with the Secretary – and now including Trump – is a bad thing in about 9 different directions.

Of course, no one has a clue as to what this is all about. We will, likely, by the time many of you read this posting. Could be to announce firings, to demand loyalty, to call for the reapplication of a bunch of 1950s standards – no one knows except the perpetrator.

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