A space for observation, discovery, and growth
Not a Very Irish Way to Say We have a Mix of Topics Today
First of All – EXCUUUSE ME!
If you are inclined to make a comment on one of these blogs, which I very much encourage, you will have noted in the last couple of weeks or so that there is a comment heading, but no way to enter a comment. Two readers pointed this out to me a couple of days ago. I was unaware, just wondering why no one commented of late.
We are trying to trouble shoot this anomaly.
American Politics Has Been on Quite the Ride Lately. Tired yet?
McConnell
Mitch McConnell finally announced his retirement as Minority Leader. At least he was physically able to make that speech. There has been a lot of talk about whoever replaces him will be even more of a MAGA wingnut. Likely true, but that will not make much difference anyway. McConnell has made it crystal clear that all he ever cared about was raw political power; he was always more than ready to sell his soul to the MAGA crowd to hang on to power.
The bad history is long indeed,
Observations on American Life
Voters
The folks responsible for voting in my area are reportedly having some trouble recruiting volunteers to work the polling places this year. People are afraid of the risk of conflict and even of physical danger. That is sad, to say the least. It’s also unacceptable, so I have up my usual spot out front of polling places in election season, passing out literature, to be a poll worker inside. The preparation process was illuminating.
First, there are still quite a few willing to show up for the 14 hour day required.
10 More Observations of People, Institutions, or Things to Celebrate
Continuing Our Relentless Pursuit of Good Stuff
A couple of weeks ago, this blog listed a number of good news stories that seemed to me were not getting enough attention, or at least were getting lost in all the doom and gloom we sometimes generate. I mentioned then there were other good news items that made that list but did not want to make the blog too long.
Today, the rest of that list. Admittedly an arbitrary list, not complete and in no special order.
Here are Some More Things We REALLY Wanted to Find Under the Tree
Continuing our Shopping List with Santa
Last week we started a conversation about things we wished we had found under our nation’s political holiday tree. Most people agree on these items, although we may disagree on some specifics.
What follows is Part II of that list. At the end of this posting, I will include a short, summarized list of what was posted last week. Taken together these two lists would make our hearts sing – and our country better off –
Join the discussion at: Hey, Santa! You Missed Some Items on Our List – Part II
Here are a Few Items We REALLY Wanted to Find Under the Tree
A Political Wish List
While one can always find disagreements, there are a handful of political reforms that would do wonders for this country. The funny thing is that to the extent our fellow citizens have thought about these items, they agree by large margins.
Hmm, they did not make it as gifts under our tree. Maybe we try again as New Year’s resolutions? Not to make this too long a read, let’s do this as a two part exercise. Let’s see what we have to work with this week,
Join the discussion at: Hey, Santa! You Missed Some Items on Our List – Part I
Victory Dances, Agony, and Arrogance
Elections Around the Country Carried Valuable Lessons for All
There was quite a variety of elections held all over the country last week, for all types of offices and referenda. As is often the case, there were more than a few surprises, results not really forecast by polls and pundits.Any single election, or even a collection of voting patterns, does not necessarily translate into future electoral results. But at times they do, and I think that is the case with these votes. I noted three consistent outcomes that I expect to see repeated in 2024.
High Risks, Potential Value, and Important Issues Galore
A Little Long-Term History
This is as big a labor action as this country has seen in a very long time, with big stakes all around. The history of the UAW and auto strikes is, it seems to me, a mixed one. On the one hand, they led the way on much labor reform and empowerment. They helped at an important level to create much of the American middle class, based on good jobs for skilled employees.
They also can be said to have pushed too hard in some cases,
Five Very Different Topics to Reflect Upon for This Round
Tony Bennett
We don’t do much on show business or entertainment in this blog. If you ever saw me dance or heard me sing, you would be grateful that the scant treatment of such things in this blog minimizes your risk of ever seeing a video of me doing such things. You are welcome.
But an exception for Tony Bennett. He was, quite simply, the best of his generation at what he did – maybe the best ever. Frank Sinatra once said Bennett was the best singer he ever heard.
No, Not That! No, Not Those Either! Shame on you.
Tis the Season
I know – sometimes it seems it is eternally the case, but in face we are about to enter another national election cycle. In a little more than a year, we will be voting for all sorts of offices, from President to Dog Cather, and about every office in between.
Among other things, this means that the media, in all its forms, will be focusing on politicians and would-be politicians. Unfortunately, much of that coverage looks likely to continue being focused on horse race status and some gotcha articles,
Join the discussion at: Most Prominent Physical Feature of a Politician?
