The Unfinished

I was into a screed about the recent election, near the end, when a hit on the wrong set of keys caused it to disappear.  Happens.  For what it’s worth, I’ll try to reconstruct. To call this a Democrat sweep is both obvious, and largely besides the point.  As I’ve said, it doesn’t really matter …

Buyer’s Remorse

Donald Trump was recently elected to a second term, narrowly defeating Kamilla Harris.  For the first time, The Donald actually won more votes than his democratic rival.  In the first year of his second term, however, there.have been three “No Kings Day” demonstrations, the last one involving in excess  of seven million people.  And we’re …

The First Hundred Days

This became a milestone during FDR’s time in office.  Rating presidents is sort of a hobby with historians.  I am nothing of the kind, but for what it’s worth, I rank George Washington the best of the 18th Century, Abraham Lincoln of the 19th, and Franklin Roosevelt of the 20th.  It is Roosevelt who popularized …

Cruelty

Elon Musk, often described as the world’s richest man, has been leading a campaign to all but destroy the  federal government, as we know it.  He has been given free reign to accomplish this by POTUS 47.  I’ve often wondered whether this represents a quid pro quo for his rescue of Trump’s personal finances.  While …

Then and Now

My only grandchild, Davis McNulty, is about to turn 17 next month.  No rational person would deny that the world/nation/state has changed significantly in the 70 or so years of difference in our ages. Davis is entering his senior year in one of our nation’s premier private schools.  He is doing course work in high …

Chaos

Donald Trump loves chaos.  Several weeks into (hopefully) his final term, he has solved numerous personal issues: no prison term for inciting an insurrection; having what should have been crushing debt apparently taken care of.  It’s pretty plain to me that Elon Musk has quietly done this for a price: having numerous outfits of his …

Head of State

  Saying from the 1950’s: Roosevelt proved that only he could be President.  Truman proved that anybody could be President.  Eisenhower proved that we didn’t need a President.   The USA, arguably the world’s oldest democracy, has yet to elect a female President.  We got close twice this century: Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016 and Kamilla …

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy

No, I don’t recall my kids ever asking me this, but it was a sort of anti-war saying back in the day (for me, the 1960’s). This was a bitter time in our history when servicemen were advised to wear civvies, when traveling, whenever possible.  I was quite gung-ho back then. I now feel that …

Interregnum

Defined as the time period between the declaration of the winner of a national election, and the time he/she is sworn into office.  In this nation,  Election Day is generally the first Tuesday in November of an election year.  Inauguration of the incoming President and Vice President is usually on January 20 of  the following …