IS THERE A 'THERE' THERE?

 When did the 'there' surface and has it remained there or has it become the here and right now rather than the 'there' not yet here? Or has the 'there' already long passed by, grown way beyond all predictive sources and guesses? Has the thought of a 'there' to come grown beyond old definitions and become the always and already here and now, never to be returned to the 'there' and 'here' of old? In fact, how would we recognize such a change in pattern, judge its life span and more important, will the people accept the change, a huge sea change, grow comfortable with the 'there' always the 'here'?

I greatly amazes me how much progress has been made, socially, technologically, over the course of my life span, boggling the mind. From cars with huge fins to room size computers, to punchcards, to small computers worn on wrists and capable of conversation, to speedy at home or away logons, to spaceflight and missions to Mars, and an unfortunate return to the days of a George Wallace, the destruction of a "Dream" of iconic presence, back to denial of rights and bigotries of old as toxic as ever. Too many benighted dangerous fools have turned back the clock to the then that was, bypassed all the here and now and returned us willy-nilly to a there that should never have been capable of reverting, morphing, into a hateful here and now. 

Perhaps permanently.

Now do a reality check, one that will convince you that the here and now has slithered and slimed its way into the Looking Glass world. Would it ever have occurred to you that an ignoramus, a bigot, a moron purveyor of hatred, a Marjorie Taylor Greene, would have risen through the levels of filth to be seated in a seat of power controlling the destiny of this nation? Of our future. Of your future and mine. The future- or not -of our children.

As bad as that is, it becomes worse, exponentially so, when we add to her, other dangerous darkened souls such as Gaetz, Bobert, Brooks, Perry, Jordan, Johnson, Scott, McCarthy etc., giving rise to a synergy of evil of heretofore unthinkable levels within the here and now, a poor fraying situation of a here and now, a return to a 'there' most definitely not worthy of return. 

At worst, this country will stagnate or devolve to a degree beyond which has already taken place. At best, we will survive to the elections of 2024, no more "stollen" accusations from a demented Trump. We will wallow in the blood shed by our proxies in Ukraine, the world will run out of all fancy ammunitions and weapons of war and revert to the next war - of sticks and stones and swords and war clubs and words.

And so, back to the beginning. Is the 'there' that is always there actually the here and now of our days? Can we change this time warp of negative consequences? Depends on how and if those in the present, in the here and now, understand the task at hand, shift, reformat our here and now, and insure a better, positive, hopeful 'there' to come. 

T'would definitely be a good thing to know, to be confident, that there will indeed be a proper 'there' there for all of us.

JIGSAWS OF LIFE

  A latecomer to the world of jigsaws, I have found them to be accurate representations of issues of life. No, they do not speak nor impart secret messages. However, the need for preciseness, attention, for not reaching above before time and experience, knowing one's capabilities and limits, knowing which brands are better - all part and parcel of the needs of a good life. Unfortunately, many of us have turned away from these commonsense necessities of life; hence life today in these here United States of America. Meet it, greet it and cry.

Note that the craze, the fans of jigsaws are rampant through the world, nationality having no influence on it, though perhaps its growth has been encouraged via the pandemic. Yes, it takes up time, but it also encourages growth of important cognitive skills, family togetherness and simple plain fun without all the artificial noise, merely the inner satisfaction upon completion, especially a challenging one.

Now look at life. Some puzzles are cheaply made, the cuttings imprecise, the quality of the pieces poor, difficult to fit together, to snap together. The puzzle theme is obscure and difficult to complete. Well, look at the jigsaw of life today as we live it, and wonder, along with me, why we do not upgrade, rather than lower our standards.

For quite some time now we have been catering to the lowest common denominator. "The Base." That anomalous, threatening word which allows for, encourages, poor judgments, lowered standards, hatred, negativity and a life replete with threats to those whose thoughts and bents differ. And the truth shines through. Trump, who just loves capitalizing and anagrams, has done himself oh so right. In his insane chase after nomination again, he has termed this latest aberration Save America Again. SAAG. Yes, sag, which is what we have done lo these almost decade worths of years. America's building is sagging, its foundations attacked too many times, repair scarce. America's foundations have been weakened, its support weakened. The cracks grow apace yet go unnoticed or ignored - or even valued. 

Yes, that part of the jigsaw has not weathered the test of time too well. Instead of experts, we allow room for demonstrably insane, dangerously so, characters who are cynical, love the attention they garner, and pose the most dangerous threats to our continued existence as a democratic nation. We are losing the tie- in pieces of the puzzle at a growing rate, and we do not even bother to try to pick them up and restore them to our broken puzzle.

Another growing trend today is the growth industry of a form of Jerusalem Syndrome, wherein people imagine themselves as prophets of the Lord, and spout off wherever and whenever the spirit moves them! Apparently, Marjorie Taylor Greene is one such false prophet, spouting, ranting, re Devil worship, pedophilia, sacrifices to Maloch - under a wicked collusion of the Rothschild family, George Soros and the Democratic Party. Oops, do not forget the space laser which Jews have been wielding, against the people of America and beyond dousing them, poisoning them. And this is the woman now in charge of the House Home Security Committee. This jigsaw has just imploded! Wrong pieces in wrong slots. 

Here are two telling comments about this latest Greene abomination.

“This is placing, literally, the Confederates in charge of the union.”

 “Marjorie Taylor Greene is just kind of a hollow shell of a person who believes, and actually is correct in believing, that theatrics get her attention and attention gets her money and money makes her powerful within her party...”

Now cry or laugh, whatever, but both are equally correct.

But wait, there are more broken pieces of this puzzle, this one Matt Goetz.

According to the allegations in the complaint, the defendant exploited a social media platform to infringe one the of most basic and sacred rights guaranteed by the Constitution: the right to vote,”

This murky, water swollen, venom infected jigsaw deteriorates more and more, beyond all thought or possibility of repair. No, we need a new one, one which eliminates those who would spoil it, ruin it for all time, and replace their spoiled pieces with ones of quality and adherence to truth, to justice, to America.

"I know what this job takes, and I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice," she said. "It's that simple."

"I am human, politicians are human," she said. "We give all that we can for as long as we can. And then it's time. And for me, it's time."

Would that we have such people who know the truth and act accordingly. That prospect does not seem to be a realistic hope. In the interim, more jigsaw puzzles deteriorate.

As for me, I am going back to my treasure trove of Nick at Nite puzzles. Less stress indeed.

MEAT GRINDERS

  Today, an old meat grinder is considered an antique, living behind glass doors or on display shelves. Once, it was a valued piece of kitchen equipment. It was also the source or instigation of competition amongst the four of us, as we competed for position of grinder assistant. It was actually hard work, but we loved it and knew we would be benefitting from the job in the very near future.

I wish we would all volunteer for a new meat grinder assistant position - the correct meat grinder, that is. In silly, even dangerous statements, many compete for a grinder position; however, their grinders are warped, turning out incomplete jobs, grinding the wrong way, ruining the product from the getgo. In fact, many of the grinder assistants turn out to be the actual blades, the "meat" they are grinding is ... us. You and me and American society. At times their grinders appear to be time machines which only work in one direction - backwards. The final product is ugly in appearance, in intent, and definitely harmful to the digestive process.

We are told we need, deserve a "fulsome explanation of the process so far," Perhaps, but that never ever appears. The mysteries of the government are kept behind a curtain, emulating the Wizard of Oz - and his selfishness and disregard for his believers - and flies off, leaving the Land of Oz abandoned to its fate. More and more promising to be a fate most decidedly to be unwished for. No matter who is at the helm of state.

Today, we abandon the wisdom of the people, the pithy, short statements that highlight the truth, the promise, rather than grind down anyone who does not fit the mold desired at that moment. She said, " Better to be short and shine that to be tall and cast a shadow". Today, all the leaders seem to be casting a shadow, not the shadow of a great hero, a rescuer of society, a grinder repairman of note, but rather the shadows of deniers of explanations, masters of carelessness and/or obfuscation, of promoting themselves to positions beyond all accountability, justification, explanation and viability.

The foxes, ravenous with negative desires and goals, of "revenge", admit all, openly. Ron Johnson and his role and purpose of J6 talks loud and clear in an interview. McCarthy is deep up to his neck in his perverted attempts to destroy the government and along with it, the surety and reliance of the American government, threatening to force this nation into financial default, following along, close behind, the moral default already devastating this nation. 

Even as nature gives in to the changing, confusing world, polar bears attacking people in a village, we are attacking our own. Cut the budget. Cut entitlement programs, take away medical, financial supports of elderly, already living in a very constrained financial world, and as for the social safety net for those in need, ha!!

Hypocrisy is rampant. Santos, the liar, quotes MLK,  “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

McCarthy lets it roll right off his forked tongue, " Who wants to put the nation through some type of threat at the last minute with the debt ceiling? Nobody wants to do that." Uh, mirror anyone? 

Gosar, Scott, Greene, Perry, Boebert, and other creepy traitors who denied election results, are appointed to important committees which set the parameters and perimeters of the government. People who follow, still, this maniac.  "... my 'Prosecutor' is a Radical Left Trump HATING Lunatic, whose wife & family get a perfect '10' for spewing Trump HATE, & whose 'friends' are the most evil, angry, & disgusting Marxists & Communists in & around Government?"'     All we can expect is trouble on the hoof.

And meanwhile, the war in Ukraine carries on, the country is a pile of blood-soaked rubble, and the proxy war is heating up as Putin reveals his secret weapon, a la Hitler and his V2 rockets.

 Is this our future? A giant, malevolent meat grinder with twisted grinders at the handle?

Vegan, anyone?

A ruler like this?

"I will be as good unto ye as ever a Queen was unto her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall there lack any power. And persuade yourselves that for the safety and the quietness of you all I will not spare if need be to spend my blood."

Elizabeth I on the eve if her coronation

BUSTED BALLOONS

  We all love balloons. Adults, children and everyone in-between. Birthdays, graduations, fun day at the park. Even when they fly off into the air, we watch, amazed, enjoying the action and flight. We send them everywhere - homes, camps, overseas, wherever we can order or ship. Why? Perhaps because they represent childhood and its supposed simplicities of life. Or perhaps because they are pretty or can be personalized. But there they are.

However, when a balloon goes pop! well, that is when the tears come. The fright or the disappointment. The loss of a pretty, wanted item. Whatever it is, when that balloon bursts, well, reality slips in and we begin to understand that all balloons cannot last forever. Even if they survive to remain in one's home, room, office, the air seeps out and one day they are a flat piece of foil or latex, lying limp upon the floor. Its bubble has burst.

As I watched a balloon soar high in the air yesterday, I wondered where it would go. Would it die in space? Would it land in a child's backyard? Would it pop, because that is what stressed balloons do. I thought how many of my balloons have burst wide open, leaking inner anguish for what that represents. I wondered why there is such a plethora of burst balloons these days and if there is anything to be done about it.

On MLK Day, loud, clear, frightening, pop!!! went one balloon, though not surprised, just taken aback at the chutzpah of it. A demented woman, crazed with the new power and influence she wields, and anticipations of its further growth, Boebert did not disappoint her distractors. On the day we mourn the death of a champion of rights for all, a man of magic speeches and words, shot by one who could not tolerate such a man and his dreams, she goes way over the top with her hypocrisy, and reminds us of all the gazillions of burst balloons she and her ilk represent. Compare the two statements.

MLK- "In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.... 

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.... I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."... this is our hope. 

This is the faith. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. ... 

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

Boebert - “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

“On this day, we remember his incredible legacy and contributions to this great nation,” the congresswoman added.

POP!!!!

The hypocrisy of a woman of the shamed GOP fighting so hard to reintroduce days of yesteryears which should have been buried long ago, and she states this!!! 

No, no graceful flight through the air, only a great big POP releasing rancid air, toxic to this country.

She is joined in her hypocrisy by a supposed representative of the people, but which people are allowed into her oh so warm embrace? These people only.

Vengeance is mine declares the Lord. God will not let evil go unpunished," Greene's tweet stated. "The [House GOP] must do what is right for the American people and no longer serve the Uniparty and the Globalist agenda. America First!]

Where am I and others like me, others who do not fall into her definition of worthy people, only subject to the wrath of the Lord? 

Far, far, far, and further than that, away from her. No, Marjorie Taylor Greene is no friend of this country. Nor of democracy anywhere upon this earth. This is what she and others like her, be they GOP or Democratic or whatever category they assign to themselves, incite.

Anti-Semitic display projected on building in downtown West Palm Beach

I am so upset that I will leave further burst bubbles and balloons for another day.

My country??????

Do I need to check my papers again? Do we all?

BREWS AND STEWS AND FULL UP ROOMS

 Okay, you must remember this from elementary school. We were taught proudly and absorbed proudly, the notion that this country was a diverse bowl of people who together formed a wonderful new mix, quite different from the country of origin. It was a national point of pride. We also were taught that the mix, the recipe was not quite there yet, needed to be tweaked, but we were on the correct path to that goal. Well, somewhere between then and now it disappeared. 

Now people are more concerned, intent, on separating the ingredients of this magic mixture into its separate parts. Sadly, we are rejecting the wisdom of the ages. Separate, there is no strength. Together, the strength is multifold, a synergy that is more than the sum of its parts. We have ignored the modern consequences of forgetting that as countries warred within themselves, on themselves, killed their neighbors, even relatives for identifying with one part or segment and not the other.

Here in the America of today we are in great peril of reaching that sad, dangerous segment of the road through which we must pass and hopefully emerge stronger at the other side rather than allowing hatred of others to surface so strongly so as to subsume, completely obscure any of the truth. I am not very sure at all that we will traverse that segment of the road safely, unwounded, which we have already reached. The damages of the impacts of negativism, of hatred, of emphasis on differences, of a calculated amnesia of the truth of the formation and composition of this nation's philosophies and progressive bent, perhaps too great to overcome.

Nope, going, going, ....? Will we reach that 'gone' step? The coin has been tossed, not yet landed, but the air currents are not on the head side, our side.  This game we are playing, with human lives, not plastic chess pieces, is dangerous, so wrong. Throwing people around, trafficking them for political purpose, indulging hate, well, we have done it before and are doing it again. Still. So similar in thought and deed to past times of expulsions and present times as well. 

Now we read that the judge in the trial of a Capitol rebel has dismissed the obstructionism charge because he has "a unique stew in his mind". Perhaps he was not aware that what he was doing is wrong. Say what? So by the same reasoning the fascist governors such as DeSantis and Abbott can be excused if they too claim they were throwing people hither, thither, and way beyond, yon, because they too were unaware this was wrong, they too were doing this to "plead the blood of Jesus"? Hell no!!! 

This cannot be allowed, for the rest will also claim this religious delusion and plead innocent due to insanity. Hell no! These people knew damn well they were intent on overthrowing this country, of plans for killing, lynching, of following the mad Pied Piper who had full, clear and open intent to stir the mob on via his inciting, poisonous presence - thankfully that was aborted - and become Ruler.

Now the Mayor of NYC states there is no more room at our inns for immigrants. The city already has a homeless crisis. Yes, it does and now is the time for the federal government to step in, release funds -but wait! How can that occur when the GOP, its ragged remnants consisting of insane hate filled individuals intent only on obstruction, block the way, wanting only to shut down the government, create chaos in the nation and then claim to come in for the rescue.

We have lots of work ahead, hard times, and the future is unstable, perched on a crumbling cliff edge. Will we shore it up? Will we revert to our proper American mix? I have no answers, only hopes and prayers.

IF, COULD, MIGHT, MAYBE

  Did you ever heave a sigh about some situation and wish and hope with all your might that someone, soon, now, will come along and make it disappear? Have you ever lost hope that somehow someway a situation might actually arrive at a satisfactory conclusion allowing for sanity to return?

We all have had our moments, not in the sun, but in the shadow of depression and hopelessness, that there ever would be that satisfactory ending - or at last an ending whatever it was. We have done that with Covid in all its manifestations, locking ourselves away, only to discover the situation is now a standard, endless, the virus, apparently liking its home within our bodies. 

We have done so with unsatisfactory and disturbing news threads that run for a looonnnng time, causing us to forget the origin and meaning of the story and all possible endings. Such is the case with Ukraine - not a very good situation, bloody, relentless, with no end solution in sight, even as Russian soldiers complain of their ruthless situation, pressed into service as were sailors of old into the British navy, and are financing this war with their own funds to buy supplies. And yet how many of us skim, or not even that, the stories of the day regarding this proxy war which is actually reminding us- had better do so- of the peril we are in from power hungry demented rulers. 

Now you had to know where that is leading. Yup, the man is here again. Seemingly that bad penny that keeps turning up, causing us to sigh with resignation, knowing that he is the burden upon our shoulders, as heavy as was the burden of Atlas as he held up the world on his shoulders. He is the burr in the foot, the itch that cannot be reached, seemingly forever. We again heave a sigh, tired of the if, maybe, his momentous, final nail - whatever term the writer uses to tell us the man will be charged and put away. It never happens. Will it?

Now we have the brouhaha regarding the papers found in Biden's home and/or office. Yes, I agree, these papers, these classified documents, have been handled carelessly. Someone is asleep at the wheel, not keeping track of their whereabouts. There must be a better, more secure, safe procedure to ensure return in timely manner, proper storage while in use, and a secure, outside team to scour a place where documents have been in use.

However careless Biden's crew was, there is a major, huge, difference when compared to Trump and his papers. Obvious is the difference in amount. Obvious as well, is that they were immediately turned over to authorities and all further discoveries the same. The staff cooperated with investigators.  No attempt to delay any search. 

 Now, we have these same members of the GOP who cheered Trump and minions on in their defiance of security, of justice, of cooperation, refusing to hand over papers, lieing through their broken teeth and forked tongues, threatening investigations of their own. They had better be careful of what might just bite them in their shared rearend, hoist by their own petards. 

Vital actions go undone, the government is about to run out of money, the world is afire, yet these idiots continue on in their hypocritical behavior and worse, might just be right, as everyone is tired - I refer you back to the title. Why would we even think, sanity was a possibility as they robotically followed the original madman and do the same now with all of his equally demented, ranting, angry, hate filled small people who follow in his shadow, imagining themselves in positions from which they can wreak havoc upon their opponents. 

We must not give up, for if we do, the battle and the war are lost, ceded without real opposition. Ceded due to having had enough, too much, of bad situations hanging around too long, growing stale in our minds even as they strengthen their roots and holds on society. NO if, maybe, might about that.

WE MUST BE STRONG. 

THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE.

NOT IF WE BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY.

THAT YELLOW BRICK ROAD?

 Breaking News!! Worldwide chaos as the falsehood of the Wizard of Oz had been revealed. Dorothy and friends have turned down the offer to walk the road. They refuse to partake in the falsehood of this illusion meant to deceive, to placate upset citizens and visitors to Oz who looked toward the Wizard for aid and rescue. As usual, the truth has come forth in all its ugly glory, but hopefully, in time to rescue those proposed to be the victims of restrictions of rights, denied their membership in humanity itself.

So, my children, weep for what was, for what might have been and apparently will never be under the rule of a hypocritical GOP and its nefarious plans to increase the degradation of others. The nightmares have in fact become 'daymares' as the false wall of the GOP is breached and the ugliness pours out. The stench is of a MAGA instigated and perpetrated attack on the most very basic rights and assumptions of mankind, as the GOP fights to take us not to Camelot, but to Hell on Earth.

As a human I am offended. 

As a Jew I am frightened. 

As a woman I am terrified. 

Not so much for myself, as the light at the end of the tunnel glows stronger as every day passes. No, my worry, my fears, are for the younger generations. How will they live under such rules? Will they even be allowed to live, or will they be used as the animals they are likened to, as the chattel of others, denied humanity, denied all rights of independence and control over their own lives? Nope, the future is not rosy at all.

What am I talking about? The cascade has begun; the attitudes clearly portrayed, in the open. The warnings of those who had defended the right to choose, to be an independent adult, have come to life, brutally and quickly. The declared war has come out in the open, the die cast.

No sooner in office made possible by gerrymandering and tampering with the ability of citizens to vote, the GOP has pulled out all stops, taken down their disguises, pushed their lies upon us, and are rushing to pass legislation inimical to the very concept of America.

They say they wish to condemn violence rampant in the area of abortion denial. Oh, for sure I agree. For sure. However, the violence in this whole issue has been from the anti, rained upon the pro-choice. The very examples the GOP legislators use to justify their plans are, in fact, incidents of violence by anti-choice upon the volunteers, the medical personnel, the very buildings and offices where people have the right to choose. Where women come for routine, life affirming tests and care, where women are treated as humans. Period. Their Babies Born Alive bill is nonsense, the very possibility of it infinitesimal.

Last night I read of a story out of Missouri, yet another benighted, backward southern state. A bill was introduced -and debated - in all its "wrongness'', justifying it, refusing to admit the cascade effect seen clearly in this, in its very existence. It openly, brazenly, reduces women to objects of perusal, needful of guidance in the very act of dressing, as opposed to men, who evidently need no such advice. (Do not know where these people have been all their lives if they believe that!! Any wife can 'learn' ya' the truth on that!)

How demeaning for the women in that chamber; for all women in fact, discussing the clothes the women in the chamber were wearing, commenting on bodies and proprieties as if they are children, uncaring, incapable of exercising basic rights, reduced to schoolchildren forced into uniforms - but not the men. Never that!

Next up, Rep. Jack Nelson of Idaho who compares cows, milk cows, to women, assigning them the same category, unworthy of basic human rights, subject to the whims, the twisted minds and "knowing" of such as he. How demeaning, rude, disrespectful, certainly meriting exclusion from chambers- forever, - guilty of discrimination, and definitely in urgent need of a wash of mouth with strong carbolic soap!

Finally, at least for this blog, we have the eternal fascistic impulses of this generation of too many GOP governors, such as Abbott, of Texas, who speaks of human trafficking. How he did not regurgitate after he said these words, the man who engages in repeated human trafficking by sending individuals, families, legal and illegal immigrants, separated children, into freezing weather, no care set up, to prove his ugly beliefs, to act upon them and then be able to say this - I boggle indeed.

 “Human trafficking stands as an affront to human dignity, and tragically, it lurks beneath the surface of modern America, mocking the very notions of liberty and justice. Ours can never be a truly free and just society so long as human trafficking endures, and we must therefore go to any lengths necessary to purge this vice from our nation.”

 Well, judge for yourself who is for the people, who is the true heartless trafficker. Now judge your needs. Look at your families, at the women in your family, at the diversity within your family - and know, that no, you are not immune to the toxic results and cascade of brutal, bitter, oh so wrong consequences of and by these twisted people and their proposed changes to the fabric of this nation.

The danger is here. 

The danger is now. 

The time to think honestly and act accordingly is now.

'TWAS, 'TIS, 'TWILL

  Ahh, Heaven to a Language Arts teacher, the use of grammatical rules in an essay. However, as one who had to work with people rather than machines, I know that emotions come into play in human interactions. There is a sad inevitability which comes along with logic, emotion, and past history, thus engendering connections and logical conclusions - and concerns - which buffet the world today. Hence the tenses of the day in a bit of olden English, as the entire sequence is as old as time, as present as ever, from first human to last. Wonder if the associations will be made or hinted at in the new HBO show called, fittingly, "The Last of Us".

To interpret the title - so it was, so it is, and so it will be, seemingly forever and a day. Past, Present, Future. What? You ask, and correct you are to ask. Here is the answer. The ever-present inevitable power plays that seem to obsess humans, always figuring out the path and means to an end. That end was, is, and always will be, unfortunately, the justification for those means, no matter how outrageous they are. Means to the end purpose - to overtop someone or something else, gain power and prestige and parley that into more. Ever and always more. Why? I suppose for money, for prestige, such as it is, for posterity, for the simple desire to have Power, to Control, to be The Boss. Even to the extreme of Life or Death Power.

I believe that none of us are completely innocent in this, no matter the station in life. Someone will always have to insert him/her self into the melee and cause dissension in order to present oneself as the rescuer, the savior, the dissolver of all Gordian knots. The one who can pull Excalibur from its imprisoning stone, but somehow never gets around to it.

The worst thing about this whole power play business, this entire ugly part of humanity is that it never changes, though it be given so many different names and cause. At some point, inevitably, the gilt tarnishes and the ugliness, the motives become apparent, easily seen for the selfish lies they are. 

Worse is to watch the very sad, depressing phenomena of others buying into this person's behavior and deeds and words, forgetting morals, absolving crimes committed in the name of achieving control and success, losing themselves to and in this betrayal of others - loved ones, friends, family, for it matters not in this perennial chase.

Then comes the inevitable war, then invasions, the pride in the invention of better weapons of war, the glee at the rising body count, certainly if it is higher than yours, along with weapons destroyed. Going unnoticed, or discounted, is the destruction, the awesome razing of entire countries, deaths, the violations of rules of war - what an oxymoron that is - and the brutality emerging from either the advancing and/or retreating forces.

Unfortunately, very much so, there are times that war is inevitable, even justified, though certainly if we were better, there would be an answer, a solution to the problems without bloodshed. But we never seem to have acquired that level of skill and negotiations, hence the always and forever wars. Hence the petty little people who find a niche, exploit it, compound their powers and bring ruin to the people, devastation to the entity over which he has reigned. Sad, but oh so very true.

And on we go. Trying to assuage our own demons by citing fake cause to violate the proper rules of behavior. Trying to convince oneself and others that you indeed are the very answer, the panacea for all that is wrong in that particular world.

Will we ever see through to the truth, to real answers, positive solutions. Ones that do not involve the death of millions, the destruction of human achievement and the abrogation of all we have accomplished for the good. How can we believe that will ever be so as we look around. 

The entire world is at war. Every country seems to have its own violent conflagration, within its own society and borders or if desiring a larger stage, well then simply pick on a neighbor seeming to be weaker than you, ripe for the picking.

"Twas.  'Tis.  'Twill.

Can we not do better?

Can we at least admit and try and try and try.....

When the angels above asked Gd-d to look down at His creations and the disasters they have created, instigated, taken advantage of, He agreed to their destruction. However, time and time again, He reneged, allowed for yet another chance. Warning after warning ignored. And here we are.

How many chances does humanity get?

Answers anyone?

As one coming out of the educational world, I know there are limits to chance giving before it collapses of its own useless weight.

I believe G-d is certainly wiser than we are and certainly knows that truth.

 So......

WE DON'T KNOW MUCH

  So states a GOP representative and similar thoughts emerge from the mouths of others connected with the GOP. Not a surprise, at least not to anyone who has had a modicum, a scintilla, of a working brain lo these many a year. Evidently, their brains became somewhat stuffed and working on fewer sparkplugs the minute they accepted, tolerated and venerated Trump. When they allowed his dangerous shenanigans and cooperated with him in a planned overthrow of this government and in fact, its process, to destroy it forever, well, the truth came home to roost. And crow loudly. Only this time trying to deny their very heavy footprint in the muck of the plot.

Now we will have to live with the consequences of a national loss of unity as the Republicans now control the House. However, "There is no chance, no chance that major Republican legislation is going to get passed," Mulvaney said. "The first and primary role that the Republicans play in the House right now is to be a check-and-balance against the Biden administration."
Thus, they are perfectly situated to bring this government to a grinding, dangerous heartless stop. Nothing will be approved as written by both Houses and certainly Biden will exercise his veto power should something so foreign to this country's ethos get passed. Chaos and an environment rich with opportunities for the uber wealthy such as eliminating IRS rules, cancelling new hirings that are desperately needed, hauling back all social safety net programs, reneging on the promise of America to the world, to those desperate, all along such lines - this is what we can expect.

Proof of the pudding is how Jim Jordan, one of the worst of the lot of extremists, dirty handed in the J6 plot, has stated that unequivocally he is going to remove people such as Adam Schiff from the committee he is presently on and block any important appointments. Again, we will have a plethora of the brainless, the vitriolic, the undignified, as opposed to the sane, the thinking, the positive ones for our future. Again, we will have a dangerously incapable legislative branch consumed with its own sect powers rather than the welfare of the nation - their true job.

Here is a little tidbit, so telling of where we actually stand in any hope of a productive, cooperative, compromising, getting things done Congress.

“I would just say in response to the gentleman who said that he hopes that we populate this select committee with serious Democrats – that he populates the committee with Republicans who did not ask for a pardon, who did not have their phone seized by the FBI,” the Democrat stated.

I do not know about others, but there is another danger here. That is the fatigue with this mess that has set in. We are so tired of the roiling world of politics, the disgusting, disgraceful behavior of its denizens, that we turn away - allowing more room for the army of carnivorous foxes to penetrate deep into our henhouse. Such a situation must be avoided, though it will prove, I fear, to be very diffic to make it so.

Let us all demand a change from our legislators. Let us create, foster our own environment which rejects rejects, those who cannibalize our system and work against their own constituents. Let us demand honesty and immediately penalize those not so. Let us insist that the House undo its plans to limit the House Ethics Committee, for if we allow this condition to remain status quo, I fear indeed for the future status quo. Of all of us.

Think about it. Seriously. Not a good idea to poo-poo it. Not at all.

JOY IN THE WORLD

  For the past few days, I have paid scant attention to the state of the world or the dirty little shenanigans going on.  I have caught glimpses of the GOP chewing and clawing at each other and that does, I must confess, add to my joy in the world. Let the villains consume each other is simply a fantastically good idea.

However, for the past week or so and for most of this week, there is a different joy, one of family and friends. One of a continuing of a chain going back centuries, millennia. What you ask, could get me to ignore the ugliness that disturbs me so greatly? Simply put, it was the marriage of two wonderful young people, those who will definitely change the world in a positive manner. My grandson and his new wife, now a granddaughter to us, were wed last nite and the celebration was enormous, overflowing with spirit, with love, with shared commonalities, with all that was good and is good in life.

Not a word of anger or pushing or comment. Not a political viewpoint expressed for it mattered not. Not last night. Not as we celebrated the joining of two streams of Jewish history, as we mesh the genes and life experiences of those strong enough, lucky enough, to live and pass on the heritage of their people. Those who have shared in the beauty and goodness of an America which welcomed them in and allowed them to prosper. Nope, only joy and love last nite and for the week to come - at the very least.

I know the dark threatening shadows can overwhelm us at times. It is difficult to see past the anger and bitterness, the keen disappointment in our presumed leaders, leaving no branch unspoiled. We have been greatly disappointed, to the point of danger, but last nite -who cared!!

We need to remember and pay homage to those moments which remind us that no matter the state of the world, there are good, joyous moments which point the way to a better life - and the efforts needed to attain and maintain it. The hope for that resides in the young people, the next generation, for the rest of us have blown it but good!

However, for me that will remain a cause postponed, at least for today. Mazal Tov to all who shared in our family simcha - happy occasion. Smile, people. Look past some minor irritating habit of someone. There is so much anger and hate and bitterness out there. We should look to ease the nastiness and become more tolerant of that which does not really matter. Let us endeavor to make our particular circle of life just that much better.

HOW MUCH WOOD WOULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK.....

  Apparently, we are at the level of referring all back to kindergarten behavior, with intelligence rare and far between as all the while we have fallen into absurdity and senselessness. Frankly, who cares about a woodchuck chucking, but how about when an inmate on the loose is put in charge of the very committee investigating his dangerous lunatic alleged treasonous behavior and cooperation with J6 rebels. Such is the situation with Jim Jordan.

I first heard his name and noticed his behavior during the impeachment hearings, when Trump escaped, once again, from paying his dues. Jordan did not speak. He ranted and raved and his face, in its fake anger and hostility to justice and truth, was ugly. It reflected an inner ugliness that was indeed frightening. I wondered how the hell did such a man get elected in the first place, let alone receive an appointment which had a glaring conflict of interest present and unaccounted for!

Now we have the situation once again, only this time more egregious, more inimical to the continued integrity of Congress - if any yet remains - and the hopes of a people tired of ongoing never-ending scandals caused, initiated, by a corrupt GOP mired in its own muck. As a reward for his misbehavior and adherence to the twisted extreme rightwing crazed Freedom Caucus - and beyond - his strategy   placing him in control of the House Speaker debacle and sad commentary on the future of this country as presently run, he is now going to head the Judiciary Committee.

Why such concern? This is an open invitation to the fox to take his time and eat all the chickens he wishes as he is the one making the laws regarding that behavior. Jordan is being investigated by the Department of Justice. His Committee assignment places him in charge of any and all investigations of the Department of Justice, overseeing it all. So...... he is presently being investigated by said Department. What do you think this man without any morals, with selfishness and anger his overt motivating factors, will do. He can and will be sure to shut down, limit to the point of uselessness, any investigation which will uncover the truth of J6 and his participation and role in that treason, along with his buddies. Think there might be just a 'tad' of conflict of interest there?  A scintilla?

But why worry can be their theme song for look at Clarence Thomas whose wife was allegedly colluding with the plotters, the conspiracy cabal, yet he continues to remain on the bench, speaks at conferences of extreme rightwing white power crazed groups and refuses to recuse himself regarding cases involving his wife which have come to the Supreme Court. 

Oh yes, we are in trouble and that woodchuck has   lots of wood to chuck before we can break the walls being built around this nation. A wall which is meant to block any full return to sanity, to justice, to full restoration of rights, of access to abortion, to freedom to live, exercise any lawful behavior without fear of punishment and imprisonment. This will never be with Jordan in charge of his own hen coop defense. Never.

We remain, as a nation, deep in a smothering overflowing quicksand pit. We are sinking of our own weight of 'wrongness', of glaring inconsistencies, of conflict with the Constitution, with the growth of our own from within enemies of the State.

That woodchuck can chuck lots of wood with proper motivation and supervision. The question remaining, hanging in the air, is whether the supervisors of that woodchuck can and will exercise their proper sworn duties and responsibilities or will they consign the nation to at least two more years of chaos, great harm and devastation. Will WE, the people allow this?

Hope you can answer that positively for I am not sure at all.

Here is a little tidbit re Jordan that might help you see things clearly. It is by a fellow GOP member.

"Jim Jordan was an insurrectionist," she charged. "He was one the people in those backdoor deals with Rudy Giuliani and all those others to overturn the fair election in this country. He now has the power of the gavel, of the oversight committee for the Department of Justice. This is what people have voted into power."

Yup.

ABCDEFG -- OH HOW JEFFRIES SCHOOLED THEE

  Must watch it. When available, print it, store it, share it, send it to the clouds and cheer and cry as you fall into the rhythm of Hakeem Jeffries Alphabet speech, A to Z, schooling the GOP members of the House who needed to be reminded of the real values of this country. 

The true "fork in the road" which McCarthy mentioned has already been reached and breached by his GOP. This man gave away the store -and the country - to the disruptive fascistic members of the GOP who held this country to ransom. Nope, the fork has already been reached after going through many prior wrong choices at increasingly dangerous forks. 

Now seen clearly, in glaring light of day, is the approach of fascism, rampant, official, imprinted upon our nation by these demanding spoilers of the GOP who wish only to disrupt and dismantle our democracy and leave them in charge, the populace abandoned.

Yet there is hope. Not perfect, with its own band of dismantlers and disrupters of order, the Democratic House leader spoke eloquently, deeply, in catchy rhythm. He gave us a new mantra of the Alphabet, one which needs to be taught and caught in every classroom, read aloud at gatherings, by individuals. It is the essence of democracy. It is the gist of our ethos. It is the core of our country, a core that has been attacked in public, with increasingly vitriolic rhetoric, with Trump et al initially leading the treasonous charge. 

Now Jeffries has given us a new, better, ABC, a reminder we all needed, the encouragement and assurance, that despite difficulties and planned attacks on our structure of government, a stated aim of the GOP, they will not prevail. Government will proceed, ransom will not be paid, and the country will defeat those enemies within.

Here is a piece of it. But much better than reading the text, watch it, listen, hear, fall into its rhythm, feel the small uplifting hint of fresh air, pushing away the static and stalled. Feel a wafting of clear air from that little bird of hope as it flies towards us and stays with us.

 “We’ll always put American values over autocracy, benevolence over bigotry, the constitution over the cult, democracy over demagogues, economic opportunity over extremism, freedom over fascism.”

Jeffries continued by saying, “Reason over racism, substance over slander, triumph over tyranny, understanding over ugliness, voting rights over voter suppression, working families over the well-connected, xenial over xenophobia, yes we can over you can’t do it and zealous representation over zero sum confrontation.”

However, none of this will come to fruition unless we, the people, work towards that victory, towards the safeguarding and maintaining of our democracy - "of the people, for the people, by the people". The words of a member of an original Republican Party, a party which was on the right side of 'right' rather than the extreme, hate pushing denial of rights 'right' to which they now adhere.

Let us all remember that we are all people, Americans one and all. No matter the original country of origin of a predecessor, length of living in this country, or color of skin or mode of worship, or gender, or ethnicity - whatever people look towards with hate and violence. Let us defeat this horrible push towards censorship of books, of invading libraries and classrooms to rip away at knowledge. The knowledge, so bitterly learned and etched into our souls- that those who burn books will eventually burn people.

We are in for a rough time ahead, heavy seas as the saying goes. We have problems which must be addressed lest we literally destroy ourselves.

As it was so clearly put - "we might have come over on different ships - but we are all now in the same boat." 

We are all subject to the same fate and conditions we ourselves enable, allow and create.

In Judaism there is a prayer and a song which translates to thus:

"How good and pleasant it is to have 'brothers' sit together.

Hineh ma tov, oo'manayim, shevet achim gam yachad."

          AMEN

OH, THE XBB THAT YOU WILL SEE

 Apparently, the version of XBB coronavirus is gaining headway. The good news is that it does not seem as severe as its predecessors. The death rate is lower and that is a good thing, most definitely so. However, we are being warned that boosters and prior exposure help ameliorate its severity so people, get out there and do what needs doing - and that includes smart wearing of a mask at appropriate times. Certainly, we wish to avoid the complication of long Covid, and the brain fog that comes with it.

What cannot be avoided, or so it seems, is the invisible brain fog of a political covid that has attacked our legislators. So befuddled are they that they cannot see the apples falling off the trees of a wrecked orchard, struggling hard to remain viable, salvageable, for the alternative is not really an alternative at all. It is disaster. One that will grip the country so tightly so as to preclude any recovery at all. Cannot be - and yet it will unless we understand and act.

Many are laughing and cheering at the crisis of the GOP, unable to get its act together so as to elect a Speaker. McCarthy seems to be getting his due desserts, yet think again. I do not like that man - not at all. He is a coward, a traitor, though exactly when he joined the plot is not clear. In any case, he is definitely rotting at the edges. However, the alternative is far worse, a group of crazed individuals who have taken this country down a dangerous road, one that threatens our very existence and continuance as a democratic country, a leader of the world, one of the good guys, wearing the white hats.

That group of crazies wants to dismantle the nation, dump its governing structure in the dump of no return. That is a fact and acknowledged now by many. So, no cheering re McCarthy, but better the lesser evil, I guess. Of course, if the Democratic Party would take up Gaetz in his promise to resign should they unite with moderate GOP, a distinctly endangered species, and elect a moderate GOP member as Speaker, hence sharing the power and committee appointments. Wonder of wonders, perhaps even break the straitjacket of partisanship that has consumed this nation.

It is time we clean house, thoroughly and completely. Crook? Out. Liar? Out. Both? We kick you out with a venom. Traitor -oh hell, stick them in prison where they belong. No more a Santos. No more haters and traitors. No more thieves. No more no- goodniks clearly so from the getgo.

And for heaven's sake - stick that man in prison, make him pay for his crimes, so many, so thoroughly invasive and representative of every possible area of criminal pursuit. It is tiring and demoralizing to see Trump keep skating along, blustering away, with every new development a "sure" thing to commit him, finally. And again, pfft -no one takes up the gavel, gets on a white horse, jams the white hat firmly upon the head and chases and gets the bad guy(s).

We need to center ourselves, as individuals and as a nation. The world requires this. We need to stand for justice, for peace, for progress, for humanity. We need to do right. We need to make that effort, as difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible to achieve at times. If we fall short, then very soon -well, the consequences, the end destination of that awful potholed road we are on very clear.

Time to rid the political arena of XBB. Time to dispose of the new form of a typhoid Mary. Time to clean house, to be resolute and firm and just. Time to clear up the brainfog that has enshrouded the nation. Time to hitch up pants, hitch up to a star.

Aiming high is always the way to go.

Let us do so.

GOBSMACKED AM I

 Of course, you would be shocked to hear that I am deeply immersed in the political sphere and at the dangers it poses for our nation and the populace within. I know all about the importance of paying attention to it. I know all about the individual responsibility we all have to be on guard for the nation, to make sure that we do the right thing, not the politically expedient but the morally wrong. To guard against corruption and call out those guilty of it. To control the greed of too many and the resulting poverty of too many others.

We need to avoid total absorption into the bread and circus distractions that leaders feed the common people. We need to read books of consequence, see productions with meaning, understand between the lines. However, we are humans and we do need off time, where we can laugh and enjoy. I enjoy a good entertaining play or a piece of music simply for the mood it induces. Even a book with a good thriller plot or a family saga over many years, even centuries.

Hence the gobsmacking when I went to see Hadestown, a play which evidently is a hit on Broadway, with sought after tickets. Expecting a lovely musical presentation of a Greek myth, I felt hit over the head with a steel pole when, despite the rich voices of the cast, the incredible dancing and choreography, the entire play was one huge discourse on what is the matter with the world today. 

Of course I agreed with much of the statements via the songs, but still, not what I was expecting. False advertising, information not getting out there, people being deaf, dumb and blind to the rather obvious points made? How could one ignore the use of modern things such as neon, electricity, foundries, factories, walls by borders made of steel, and walls in life, the imperfections and unfairness between the haves and the have-nots. and the list goes on. These terms and similar thoughts were certainly unknown during the time of Greek myths. In fact, the very conveyance within the play, a train to Hadestown, was an unknown concept.

Yes, things are broken today, in this world and if we are to go on, they must be made whole. Can they? Will they? Do we have the ability and will to do so? Can we withstand the pressures on us or subscribe to the path of "keeping heads low"? Is there even a will to attempt this, let alone expect a positive outcome? What happens if we allow the situation to worsen? Will we to have a permanent out of whack environment where it is always too cold, or too dark, or too hot, always amiss? 

Go read the original Greek myth of Orpheus and his trip to the underworld of Hades, a place of death, bravely attempting to rescue his love. Then compare and contrast. Go see the show, for it is excellent within its artistic side, along with food for thought. as long as one knows what is going to be presented on stage along with the entertaining and even amazing dancing and singing.

It is worth the attempt. It is worth it if we can convince even one person to understand the world today. It presents us with necessary to understand facts, understood implications of what we can expect if we do not fix things and fast. Having a group of people in power who wish to dismantle the government is manifestly not a good idea and yet they are poised to do just that.

Unless we stop our own train to Hadestown.

OOPS, OOPS, AND OOPS AGAIN

  My bad yet again. Slept weird, was up and down, and then overslept. running late for yet another early morning appointment, there is no time for thought or musings, let alone for typing. Sooooo - once again I apologize. Crazy schedule today so the new posting will be done later and serve for today and tomorrow. Early flight so, once again rush, rush, rush. all for good reason - weddings and little babies to see.

Looking forward.

My apologies. See ya' later.  

HERE WE GO AGAIN

  It is now official. The inmates are no longer the inmates, but rather the rulers of the asylum. In fact, at this point there is no longer any asylum or walls containing them, the limits on their insane maniacal behavior have been gleefully destroyed, rendered moot. They have penetrated everywhere, have perpetrated their insanities upon all, no escaping the results and consequences. The forecast? Chaos ahead, pandemonium the everyday short and long term forecast. Major brain fogs paralyzing the country and who knows where this will end - if it  ever will or before it is too late for it really to make a difference. So ... here we go again.

The situation is not new. It is as old as time, as young as the latest instigator. The difference? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Does it really make a difference as to the end results if we label them with one name or another? That we allow the peace and organization of a stable country to decay, ironically via the democratic system which heretofore had protected us? Hitler did it. Dictators devilishly clever yet insane people throughout the centuries have done so in similar manner.  Apparently, we have not learned the lesson yet.

Perched to take over in every sense of the word, are the dregs now comfortable in a crippled GOP now run by the escaped lunatics. Backed and buoyed by the cowardly, the sympathetic or the greedy looking out for themselves, jockeying for power among the damned. The rest of us? Well, that is up to us, though I fear the Covid variants are nothing compared to the pandemic these dangerous critters will send forth to afflict the nation.

So here we go again. Under the first literally demented US President, Trump, the government ground to an almost full Stop. The refusal of growing numbers of extremists within the GOP stymied any negotiations, allowing little to be accomplished other than to install manifestly underqualified new judges to federal benches, making a cruel joke of justice and nonpartisanship, encouraging outrageous behavior, justice discarded by the side of the road we were now traveling.

So again - here we go again. Can there now be any expectation of progress or even a status quo? I think not; we are in for a truly titanic existential battle, a war that will envelop the nations of the world, the populations within having to choose between freedom and rights and progressive humanity or dictatorship, chaos, imprisonment and 'disappearance' of opponents, a world dying in the embers of a crushed ecological system.

Such is what we have come to. Such is the point we have reached. Such is the deterioration of the precepts and foundations of this country. Such is what we have allowed through complacency, disinterest, apathy, and the overwhelming attraction of hatred and bias, always looking for the ones we need to place beneath us in the pecking order of life. The winner? No one. No body. This is a doomed course of behavior, though I am afraid it will be a case of too little, too late should we ever find our lost souls.

Here are some of what we will now have as our governing dangerous escapees assume power and push, shove, take, rip away from the remnants of a sane mostly functioning government - if they are even allowed to remain in position. Read and gasp. Understand the implications of it all. Progress denied, retrogression the trend of the times.

"The times call for radical departure from the status quo—not a continuation of past, and ongoing, Republican failures," a joint January 1 letter signed by nine members of the House Freedom Caucus "

"McCarthy has already indicated he would honor requests by far-right members of his conference, like Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene and Colorado's Lauren Boebert,"

"... reinstate a House procedural statute known as the Holman Rule, a more than century-old provision that allowed members to run amendments to spending packages to reduce the salaries of or fire specific federal employees, or even cut specific programs from the budget."

—"the House minority leader and top candidate for House speaker—sought to broker a deal with far-right members of his party" 

"The proposed House rules for the 118th Congress have been published and the 55-page document commits to establishing committees to probe the Biden administration, the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. relationship with China."

 "remained silent about the series of scandals surrounding the incoming New York Republican," (Santos)

Who wins? Not you nor I. Unless you are a card carrying member of the Lunatic Party. There can be no functioning, viable government under these circumstances. It will, of its own weight, halt, a grinding, screeching soul shattering halt. The bigots, the haters, the corrupt, the evil will rejoice in their power. Heavan help us, for I fear there is no true hope for a human to wield a sword capable of slicing the Gordian knot or even interested in doing so. At least trying to.

DEFINITIONS AND LABELS AND SUCH

 Once upon a time labels were not so important within this country. Yes, names and curses aplenty, but no one had to have a label and strictly adhere to the implied behavior. Yes, one was an Italian, or an Irishman or a Jew, or Scot or whatever. However, few identified themselves as hyphenated Americans based on place of origin of themselves or ancestors. We were all Americans, for good or bad. Some claimed that others were not good Americans, but generally it did not come out of their place of origin, but rather from their stated beliefs and deeds.

Today everyone is a hyphen. Even the Census asked for place of origin, whereupon I filled in a blank line and wrote that my place of origin is the United States, so I'm an American. Period. why would I define myself as eastern European or central or western European or German or Polish, and how to pick one ancestor out of all of them so as to restrict myself to one country. It did not make sense, was a question whose answer was implicitly under a suspicious cloud. Why would they need that question and its answers? How far back was one to go for "origin"? Why were we stressing differences in an official form rather than emphasizing our similarities, as Americans?

This is now a country severely divisive in nature and behavior. One is expected to adhere to the qualifications and implications of those labels. We allow ourselves to be defined by others, rather than by ourselves and within that, we lose ourselves, and we certainly lose the right side of the hyphen - American. We are so greatly divided that the nation stands on opposite sides of a deep, seemingly bottomless, unbridgeable abyss. Bad place to be.

In fact, we are driving ourselves nuts. Via crazed individuals, seriously embittered and battered by mental and emotional chemically driven disorders or cynically scheming individuals who see profit and advancement for their own fortunes via extremism and appeal to the basest, most degrading traits of humans. In fact, the definition of the label they have chosen begins to change, to morph into worse, ever moving, shifting. It is so that before it is over, no one will know who or what is what, only that this country is in a deeply, obviously wrong, dangerous place to be.

New Year's Eve has a plethora of shows that purport to be the show to watch, the best, the greatest, the one not to miss, competing in noise, shouts, ridiculous statements with no foundation, and of course, celebrities. I chose to watch the PBS special, Music of America or some such similar title. Renee Fleming reminded us that the previous one was in 2020 and then went dark, as did the rest of the world, emerging changed, damaged, bitter and resentful. 

 She spoke of the motivation for the special, the music that unites as Americans. However, as the show progressed, with various known and some not so known talented performers, dancers, singers, musicians, there emerged a different take. The selection was great, enjoyable, especially Ricardo Morales and his two solos with the flute, an instrument I favor. The choirs were wonderful. The audience was appreciative. As I was also.

But. But. But.

That irritating turn to base Christianity beloved by the Extreme Right Wing was present and accounted for, leaving no room for other religions in this great country of ours. As a person, I loved the performance, the voice, the emotion; however, niggling in the back of my mind was the uh-oh feeling. Jews unwelcome here. No music for you. Could a rather more inclusive song or two have been chosen? I think so. Yet it was not so.

Most of the performers of color of one shade or another sang with deep, rich tones, but, but, but again, their songs were filled, replete with defiance, shouting, demanding, stating, that they are Americans too, will always be here, and if burning is necessary, so let it burn. Huh!? 

I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of defiance, the languish, the soul tired of being asked to prove status of belonging. As a woman, as a Jew, I feel it. I most certainly do. However, hopefully, this is not what unites as a nation. United in what? Hatred? Bigotry? Blood hungry? I hope not. Yes, include the imperfections, but not to over emphasize, ripping scabs off where there had been at least partial healing. Think. Think of the purpose of the special and program accordingly.

Finally, at the very close of the program there was a striking divide to be seen. The choirs were all showcased as they shared a closing song. The divide - all white, all black, or barely mixed, was clear and present. I wondered, when all of us love to sing, appreciate music, why was there not more integration within the choirs? Small point, but very telling.

So, I loved the music. I am grateful for the opportunity to hear new artists - at least to me. However, if even my little great grandson can wear a shirt with dinosaurs stating the friends come in all colors, why can't adults? Why do adults have such difficulty with internalizing that small but oh so big statement?

If we could say them, all of us, all colors, all shades, all religions, ignore those differences or truly see their beauty, then yes, a united United States. 

We always have room for hope.

We can always progress.

That is only possible if we truly want that for ourselves, for our country, for the world.

May we all have a wonderful, healthy, peaceful year.

DIVERGENT DIAMOND EXCHANGE

 Oh, for joy, for joy. Yet another new idea for our roads. A Diamond Divergent Exchange, another thing for me and for so many others to learn, supposedly something that will help traffic jams at Glades Road and I-95 and for sure help is desperately needed there. However, think of all the drivers not sure of where they are going, how to maneuver these new patterns, but oh, reduce speed while doing so -heaven forbid! Slow down so as to actually drive safely? Never! Or the dudes and dudettes who think a speed limit is only for the top end and crawl along at a stately 30 mph as oncoming cars desperately swerve to avoid hitting this almost standing still car. Oh yeah, yet more construction already delayed, more accommodations for increased traffic, yet more frustration and inevitably, more road rage and then? Go ask DeSantis.

All this waste of money and a vicious cycle perpetrated upon us due to the greedy machinations and maneuverings of fatcat corporations, greedy politicians, crooked souls looking to their bottom line. Somewhere in that mix is someone actually thinking it is for the good, the benefit of the citizens and travelers in the area, but not really. The answer is in the rethinking, the actual formation of a realistic, nature saving, human saving policy that will actually enrich the county, the state and definitely improve the lives of the residents.

We bought in 1998, in a previously built building, limiting our carbon footprint. We loved the area, the surrounding areas in their untouched states, and often drove aimlessly, headed toward the undeveloped areas, admiring farms, picking fruit and vegetables, already limited in numbers compared to previous years, and breathed in the fresh air. This was Florida, a life we chose for the rest of our lives. Or so we thought. 

Okeechobee began a series of never-ending widening. The sweet country western end grew gruesomely, first past Jog, then State Road 7, then past Royal Palm, overdeveloped, and on into the massive acres of the western areas, dollar signs in their eyes and minds. All was food for the developers as unthinking, uncaring Palm Beach officials approved these new life quality destructive projects, as they anticipated financial gains - for the county, supposedly, and for whom else? Only the Shadow knows for sure. Southern, once a delightful country two lane road has now turned into a monster overhead highway, a sure place for a fruitful speed ticketing day.

The Florida we had loved, bought into, was going, going, not yet gone, but almost there, simply needing another few months to thoroughly destroy, pave over green areas, trees disappearing, temperatures rising as the cement areas reflect the heat rather than absorb it. "Office condominiums" rose in great numbers, lookalike buildings, even as the 'older' ones built oh, say a year or two ago, a month ago, remain largely unoccupied.  Huge residential developments have paved over thousands of acres of G-d given land, empty through much of the year, financially overpriced, often cheaply built, and just waiting for the prices to fall so as to drown their owners, something that has already happened, with ugly sights then available for all to see and live with.

The roads are jammed with newcomers. The drive time has increased exponentially. The infernal and eternal road building is not sufficient and actually drives traffic growth as they open access for development. Where are the great brains who cannot see the damages done, the damages that will be done, even as they plan their Divergent Diamond Exchange. Sometimes diamonds are not anyone's best friend!!

Palm Beach County needs a shaking up. We need to preserve what is left. We need to limit building permits, the sizes and the policy of the developers to say one thing, and then increase the number of dwellings a hundred-fold or more. Our agricultural reserve is diminishing, our watersheds invaded, our roads rivaling NYC traffic, and there appears to be no end in sight. We have lost control or ceded it to the wrong powers that be. 

Florida life, wherefore art thou? Where hast thee gone? 

An answer, anyone? One with hope and sense, presenting a good possibility for a future of greenery, air, and calm.

Oh, perchance, perchance.

This gal does not value Diamonds. I prefer the jewels of Nature - which we have taken for granted and sold away. 

Can we not think better? Plan better? Live better?