As always, Jim, good job both in this instance and for the accumulated endeavor that will surely continue in the weeks that follow. Thank you... and ditto to all the other commentators here for insightful observations based on life experiences and pithy perspectives...
That said, I'm increasingly convinced that this election and what foll…
As always, Jim, good job both in this instance and for the accumulated endeavor that will surely continue in the weeks that follow. Thank you... and ditto to all the other commentators here for insightful observations based on life experiences and pithy perspectives...
That said, I'm increasingly convinced that this election and what follows is not about "the Constitution" or "Democracy" but rather about something more profound about the insanity of modern society as deliberately embraced by too many of our fellow citizens and as imposed on the rest of us as a default being cultivated by demagogues and monied interests with unapologetic and irresponsible influence on much of the mass media that is slowly but surely being subsumed by so-called "social media".
Have you ever seen the boxing matches where the combatants play chess at the same time? I'm increasingly drawn to this image in the sense that the entertainment of "professional wrestling" and the raw brutality of MMA have merged with public discourse and debate that is inherent in politics to create a monster that is self-perpetuating while decadent and destructive... and yes, it is sometimes an incredulous hoot to watch and perhaps that's it's secret sauce.
I have also been thinking of the old Texan trope from before the Southern Strategy kicked in about voting for a yellow dog rather than for a Republican. I suppose we could simply say the same thing about the GOP's attachment to an Orange Clown, but that would be an insult to professional circus performers.
For what it's worth, I am actually confident that Harris/Walz will be in the White House when we reach Groundhog Day in February 2025, but I'm not confident enough will have been learned from the other political outcomes in the Congress, State Houses and their Governors, and even in local school boards and city councils to have us "wake up" to a truly new beginning in the months and years that follow...
Ed, thank you. Yes, we lived in Texas in the late days of the "Yellow Dog Democrat" era. And, you're right, that would be replaced by "Orange Man Republican." (Or Orange Clown, or whatever.)
The battle will continue. But let's hope the engagements immediately before us — tomorrow! — will be and advance rather than a retreat or loss. Get out the vote!
PS: ... and yes, the challenges have always been there and the tumult has been worse at times, but is it inaccurate to say that the nature of regional, ideological and generational contestation has become harder and harder to differentiate into distinct categories of disagreement and debate that can each be considered on their merits.
As always, Jim, good job both in this instance and for the accumulated endeavor that will surely continue in the weeks that follow. Thank you... and ditto to all the other commentators here for insightful observations based on life experiences and pithy perspectives...
That said, I'm increasingly convinced that this election and what follows is not about "the Constitution" or "Democracy" but rather about something more profound about the insanity of modern society as deliberately embraced by too many of our fellow citizens and as imposed on the rest of us as a default being cultivated by demagogues and monied interests with unapologetic and irresponsible influence on much of the mass media that is slowly but surely being subsumed by so-called "social media".
Have you ever seen the boxing matches where the combatants play chess at the same time? I'm increasingly drawn to this image in the sense that the entertainment of "professional wrestling" and the raw brutality of MMA have merged with public discourse and debate that is inherent in politics to create a monster that is self-perpetuating while decadent and destructive... and yes, it is sometimes an incredulous hoot to watch and perhaps that's it's secret sauce.
I have also been thinking of the old Texan trope from before the Southern Strategy kicked in about voting for a yellow dog rather than for a Republican. I suppose we could simply say the same thing about the GOP's attachment to an Orange Clown, but that would be an insult to professional circus performers.
For what it's worth, I am actually confident that Harris/Walz will be in the White House when we reach Groundhog Day in February 2025, but I'm not confident enough will have been learned from the other political outcomes in the Congress, State Houses and their Governors, and even in local school boards and city councils to have us "wake up" to a truly new beginning in the months and years that follow...
Ed, thank you. Yes, we lived in Texas in the late days of the "Yellow Dog Democrat" era. And, you're right, that would be replaced by "Orange Man Republican." (Or Orange Clown, or whatever.)
The battle will continue. But let's hope the engagements immediately before us — tomorrow! — will be and advance rather than a retreat or loss. Get out the vote!
PS: ... and yes, the challenges have always been there and the tumult has been worse at times, but is it inaccurate to say that the nature of regional, ideological and generational contestation has become harder and harder to differentiate into distinct categories of disagreement and debate that can each be considered on their merits.