Election 2020: The Campaign Begins

I am a lonely visitor, I came too late to cause a stir, but I campaigned all my life toward that goal.    Neil Young, 1969. "Campaigner" The 2020 campaign for POTUS began yesterday, at the summer solstice, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. President Donald J. Trump held an indoor, public rally, against the wishes and guidance … Continue reading Election 2020: The Campaign Begins

The Perfect Storm

The Perfect Storm was a phrase made popular by journalist Sebastian Junger, with his 1997 novel and subsequent major motion picture. The subtitle is: A True Story Of Men Against The Sea. I think the phrase applies now as then. You can read my review of the book here. The perfect storm describes a confluence of circumstance … Continue reading The Perfect Storm

Krystal Ball is wrong

Krystal Ball is wrong and Donald Trump is right. Stay with me, I'll make this brief. I watch Krystal daily. For three reasons: She and I share a birthday, and thus some general personality traits. Krystal is an attractive, young, expressive, and smart woman. Ball is fun and entertaining (because she is naive?) Ms Ball … Continue reading Krystal Ball is wrong

Totem and Taboo, 2020

Totem and Taboo was a book written by Sigmund Freud and published in 1915, about human neurosis, health, behavior, and survival. This post is also about those interactions; but in regard to the current crisis concerning the COVID-19 global pandemic. I am suggesting that there is a three factor model that can explain who is at … Continue reading Totem and Taboo, 2020

Relief day

Relief day, Wednesday 25 March, 2020. Even the Magpies know it! It's been exactly two weeks (Wednesday, 11 March, 2020) since doomsday. That was the day "When The World Stops", according to Time magazine's "Special Report: COVID-19" (vol.195.no 11.2020). Errg. My mood has never been this high (8.5 on my mood scale), since I can't remember … Continue reading Relief day

Life and death matters, part II

Life and death matters, part II will focus on the current and on going health crisis. Because what's more important than your health. Right? Rising is my favorite source of news and current affairs. I especially enjoy Krystal Ball's take on matters of life and death - which is today's current health crisis. If the … Continue reading Life and death matters, part II

Welcome to the real world

Welcome to the real world, Krystal Ball, Robert Wright, Bernie Sanders, and y'all of the Foke Woke. What happened on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, shocked the world. Make that the Foke Woke world. Here's a summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the latest virus outbreak a global pandemic. Congress grilled officials from the Center … Continue reading Welcome to the real world

The Foke Woke, part II

This note's for for you Elizabeth Warren, and all the rest of you Foke Woke. Neil Young's  song This note's for you, on his 1988 album "Neil Young and the Blue Notes", mocks pretension. Which, I have to say, defines the Foke Woke population. The song takes dead aim at the advertising industry and corporations. Moreover, … Continue reading The Foke Woke, part II

Failing to learn from losing

Failing to learn from losing is a chapter title in my recent book Election 2016: The Great Divide, The Great Debate. Actually a partial title. The full title is "A Sobering Weekend: Failing to Learn from Losing" (pg. 109). Last night's Democratic debate reminded me of that chapter. The sub-title is, "April 12, 2016". Empathy is just … Continue reading Failing to learn from losing