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 …
Tag Archives: public policy
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 …
Eggheads I Have Known
I taught chemistry, back in the day, and learned some, which I was subsequently privileged to share as a teacher. As an old coot, let me share some thoughts about some of the folks I learned from. By the way, I will never forget one thought about learning chemistry I received on my first day …
Way Back in the Day (continued)
Growing Up We all went to public school. Kind of ironic, given that Flo and I, later in life, taught in Catholic schools. My first (before we bought the house) was PS 151 Queens. Let me decode this. “PS” stood for Public School. There were lots of elementary schools in the five boroughs-so many that …
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 …
Ship of Fools
Title of a novel by Katherine Anne Porter, made into a film in 1965, which garnered numerous Oscars for its distinguished cast. The plot involves a voyage from Mexico to Bremerhaven, Germany during the run-up to WWII. Somehow, the title calls to mind (to me, at least) the current process, such as it is, …
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 …
Rogernarc 