AND DOWN IT WENT

  Wow! That was a shock to the system. The end of an era. The end of memories of that time, when all seemed different as compared to now. When there was a sense of optimism even as markets performed erratically. When, though all was not well in the Golden Land, there remained a sense of optimism, hope, an ability to look beyond the day to a soon to be better future. It allowed the nation to heal wounds remaining from the Vietnam War. It allowed those who thought differently or otherwise or 'out of the box', to join in the fray in a responsible manner. 'Indoor steps and voices' were used, rather than the brutal words, gestures, and deeds of today.

Opponents were vilified but not threatened as to life and limb. Insurrectionists were not emboldened to riot and invade the sites of democracy. Thinking in gray, rather than only in stark black or white allowed for bipartisanship and a functioning government. Yes, all was not well, life not that bowl of cherries, and sometimes the pits overwhelmed the edible cherries, but the sense of we can do it, we can fix it, always remained, growing and shrinking, but always there.

Today, we do otherwise. As the once beautiful, popular Deauville hotel imploded, as it sank to the ground, with it sank memories and hopes, dreams that came true and dreams that did not. Remaining behind was the tinkle of laughter, the ghost notes of music, the sounds of children excited for this beautiful hotel and its beach. The joy of parents as they were able to provide this finally, for themselves and the kids. 

Today the Deauville is no more. What will replace it? Another hotel, housing for the elite, apartments empty most of the year as the numbers of homeless grow, unable to afford the rents? Will it become a symbol of the rottenness of our times, the greed, the apathy re the problems of others, or will we see a sign of a better future, a restoration, at least in part, enough of with what made America  America, take root once again.

Frankly, we have not yet taken our lessons seriously enough. The shouts of deniers. the notes of the Sirens of disaster. The greedy dreams of power and wealth. They all remain in too strong a number. We, the guys, the women, in white hats are too few at this point and must grow in their own numbers and strength if we are ever to have our country back again.

The question is thus. Will we implode that which needs it, replacing it with better, firmer, stronger ties to democracy, the American ethos, its sense of confidence, as we walk the right path? Or will we implode the remnants of another time and replace it with worse, making no allowances for the needs of the public, the imperative to improve, to ensure rights, all gone with the wind, floating as a wisp, carried hither and thither, never to return, lost in a hostile world - of our own making?

The choice is ours.

The dreams are ours.

The historical imperative is upon us. 

And all the while, as we go about our daily lives, Brittney Griner remains in her living nightmare.

TIME TO BRING HER HOME.