Quick Link --
The Infrastructure Law recently passed by Congress would not seem so amazing had it not taken years and years to get passed. This is to the credit of President Biden and the Democratic leadership in Congress. There is much to peruse here. All of it is hopeful, even inspiring.
Dear Reader:
With Christmas past, it seems a good time to resume posting here. I will attempt to post about twice a week, at least during this after-Christmas season.
Politics has become a contest of democratic v. anti-Democratic forces. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party doesn't seem able to frame the fight in these terms. Thus, we need everyone --including you, my reader -- to help in the fight for democracy, itself. Our task is no less.
Quickly --
Three retired United States generals have warned in not-to-be-mistaken strong terms, that the threat of a coup attempt in 2024 is real. We ignore these generals at our peril. A must-read Washington Post column. See link below.
Here we have a poem chosen not for its great art -- though it is more than acceptable -- but for its historical meaning. For here is a poem by a plumbing contractor named Reuben Anderson who gave it to Glen Edgerton, the supervisor of the White House restoration during the Truman Administration. Harry Truman liked it so much he read it aloud:
Every man's a would-be sportsman, in the dreams of his intent,
A potential ou-of-doors man when his thoughts are pleasure-bent.
But he mostly puts the idea off, for the things that must be done,
And doesn't get his outing till his outing days are gone.
So in hurry, scurry, worry, work, his living days are spent,
And he does his final camping in a low green tent.
-- As quoted by David McCullough in Truman, p. 859.
The poets have said time is like a shadow, or a swiftly flowing stream. In my case, time seems chimerical, almost disingenuous. Thus, as the nation has struggled with new variants of COVID-19, new fears in the stock market, and new anxiieties in the workplace, I have found myself caught up in the whirlwind which seems to engulf the country these days.
So, I regret the delay in posting here. In lieu of a specific topic tonight, I refer you back to the post here on the Robert Kagan article entitled "Our Constitutional Crisis Is Already Here," from several weeks ago. I will have even more to say about this matter soon.
Best wishes of the season,
The Musical Patriot
"Georgie" Washington?
The U.S. press is increasingly referring to President Biden as "President Joe Biden (Italics mine). While this nicknaming of the President has precedent, and Mr. Biden has referred to himself as "Joe," there is something slightly seedy, and rather more than undignified about this shortening of President Joseph Biden's name.
However this argument turns out, it set me to wondering what nicknames might be given to Presidents of the past, and how that could change the way we look at them. Here are some examples:
Quickly --
... polls have shown McAuliffe, who previously served as governor from 2014 to 2018, tied with Republican former business executive Glenn Youngkin with the election a week away — and the president's own popularity is on the decline.
--St Louis Post-Dispatch
Here we have a typical article from the press these last days on the race for Virginia governor. I have been following the various polls on Nate Silver's Five Thirty-eight. I have paid special attention to the aggregate of all polls, which I find to be about the best way to account for the variations in poll results.
What the Post-Dispatch (otherwise a pretty good newspaper) does not say is that Youngkin's numbers have also gone down in recent days, and that McAuliffe still leads. In fact, McAuliffe has led the entire way, although by a smaller margin recently.
But this can partly be explained by Youngkin becoming more known. It is telling, moreover, that his numbers are deflating slightly. It seems to me that is not what a candidate wants to see one week before the election. No wonder Youngkin's approach is increasing in intensity and, dishonesty* -- and ugliness.
*For example, his latest ad inaccurately accuses Mr. McAuliffe of wanting the government to come betwee parents and their children. This is simly preposterous. (I plan to have a source for this soon.)
The vast majority of voters all hoped he would disappear from the limelight. Sadly, this was not to be. And it appears it will not be until stronger political force is brought to bear.
No one wishes him any physical harm. But the general populace must take him much more seriously. First, the media must take his threat much more seriously.
More later
**********************
Meanwhile, please see post here about Robert Kagan article.
Here is Tony Bennett, master songster on his 95th birthday not only singing through difficulties, but reaching the top of the mountain. Mr. Bennett here shows that not only could he still perform marvelously, but that even at an advanced age, one can still grow and develop beautifully.
Listen to the shine, the confidence. That is experience building on experience, and showing forth on a new day in a new way.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=yNrvXw9juNs&feature=share
Courtesy CBS
While the media obsesses over President Biden’s approval ratings, trust in the media has fallen to the second lowest level since 1997.
Let us not forget the media’s awarding Donald Trump with over a billion dollars in free publicity in the 2016 campaign.
In contrast, there is little mention now of Mr. Biden’s accomplishments, to wit, success in seeing that vast numbers of Americans have received the COVID vaccine resulting in millions getting back to work; the shipment of free vaccine to countries all around the globe; a scandal-free administration; a constitutional government; a crack-down on violations of anti-trust law; a comprehensive infrastructure plan; economic aid to the newly unemployed, plus cities and states; and the list goes on.
One wishes gratitude was as prized a value as the glorification of opinion numbers.
Trust in Media Sinks
https://news.gallup.com/poll/355526/americans-trust-media-dips-second-lowest-record.aspx
With the Afghanistan withdrawal fading into the background, Americans seem more likely to support the President in a new NPR/Marist poll.
Americans do want their President to succeed, and President Biden’s strengths appear to be winning over more people at this time.
Coming Soon: Bombshell article by Robert Kagan explains in detail the current threat to our democracy -- why it matters, and some suggested actions to prevent the toppling of our democracy.
URGENT
More later.
(Source: Washington Post, Sunday, September 26, 2021, Section A)
The Great Strike of 1877 brought out the worst of the new American system. This new duopoly was the alliance between the federal government and the Republican Party. And this Republican Party had became the party of big business in relatively quick order.
As strikes of aggrieved workers spread across the country and persisted, the Hayes administration was besieged with anxious requests from governors, towns, and business interests to protect factories and railroads from the strikers, both violent and non-violent. President Hayes responded by sending in the army with few strings attached. This allowed authorities to side with business owners against the workers, and after many battles -- pitched and otherwise -- to quash the workers' movement, if only temporarily.
Thus, we see that along with suppression of the American Natives, every-day hard-working Americans were also confronted with armed encampments of federals. Gone was the army effort to protect Negro rights. In its place was a new order: a unified Federal government and capitalist front determined to destroy workers' rights.
We live with this legacy yet today.
Eric Foner in his book, Reconstruction, summarizes the elevation of Hayes to the Presidency after a protracted political and legal battle. To summarize Foner in turn, the gifted author places the installation of Hayes as more the end of a process starving the Reconstruction effort, rather than the beginning of it. Then there was the fairly rapid turn away from the needs of Freedmen (former slaves) to other efforts, such as the extirpation of the Nez Perce in the West. And in this effort, Hayes was more than complicit in that he was the Guiding Chief of the Army which pursued them.
Thus, after the election of Hayes, the blacks became for all intents and purposes a forgotten race for one hundred years.
to be continued
Briefly --
PART 1
For those who may not know, Reconstruction was the period in the U.S. following the Civil War during which the federal government attempted to assist the South in rebuilding its society and economy.
I have just been reading about the Tilden-Hayes controversy in the Presidential election of 1876, by Eric Foner. This is the most complete account I have read so far. The story is complicated in its techanical aspects, but the out-come was that Hayes would be President and Reconstruction would largely come to an end.
I'll have more to say about how this affects my view of President Hayes later.
Big media -- the system whereby major media companies are bought and sold in a way which limits political discourse -- is becoming a big problem.
Take for example news in today's New York Times that a German (!) company is buying Politico, an online news source valued by many for its insider information and astute commentary. This is the kind of transaction simply should not be.
This sickening buying-in (quite literally) to Washignton, D.C. politics by a foreign company raised instant alarms with me. Is there no hope for prohibiting such journalistic intrusions?
There is at least one important person who wants to take on Big Media -- in this case Big New media. That one person is none other than President Joe Biden, and the company is none other than Facebook. Our home-grown cable news channel this evening alerted me to the desire of the Biden Administration to break up Facebook into independent and smaller companies which would be much less likely to dominate the spread of minsisnformation, for one thing.
May this effort succeed. And may it lead to a more thorough cleaning-up of the rotten power system of Big Media in America.
Espeicially for those interested in world affairs --
In these confusing days of pandemic and other world uncertainties, it may be useful to review the aftermath of the 1961 fiasco at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. This invasion, overseen ultimately by the new and inexperienced President John Kennedy, led the young Chief Executive to consult former President Dwight Eisenhower for advice. In a well-publicized visit to Camp David, Eisenhower delivered to Kennedy the words of wisdom Kennedy sought.
The story of this meeting is told elsewhere, including in a Life special magazine article, I believe. One piece of advice Mr. Eisenhower gave Kennedy was to get all the experts in the room at the same time and let them hash it out. It is not my purpose here to try to analyze what is going on in the world today. But perhaps -- as I say -- a review of the Bay of Pigs disaster may prove more than a little useful.
My new book, It Can Happen Here, is turning out to be a blockbuster of a detective story. I wish it were not so full of frightening details, but the writing is excellent, the research stellar. And I have only read into the first chapter.
To this point -- highly recommended.
(See above for Internet URL directions)
On the occasion of the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as President of the United States, January 20, 2021. The Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Certain writers seem to have nothing better to do than to criticize President Biden for not being dramatic enough -- or something. He's not exciting, they say. He fails to inspire, The New York Times says today. Well, this is in the eye of the beholder certainly. If this is the most serious criticism of Mr. Biden, I'd say he is doing a remarkably fine job. As a matter of fact, I would say he is doing a remarkably fine job.
Some examples:
Pres. Biden and the First Lady, plus Vice-President Harris and the Second Gentleman Honor Military Bands at the 2021 Inauguration.
Note the respect and pomp -- simply, but powerfully executed.
Quickly --
The new July issue of the National Geographic contains a marvelous article on the Shkreli Awards. The Shkreli Awards call out particularly bad actors in the world of Big Pharma and Big Health companies. This seems to be, in essence, the first article of its kind in National Geographic. Highly recommended!
Up-date: Unfortunately, this content is behind a paywall.
In the final installment of this excerpt from George Washington's monumental Farewell Address, the out-going President says that true religion and morality are the same as good policy. Indeed, have we not all learned that "honesty is the best policy?" So, too, then, are a fear of God and fidelity to good morals, the best policy. Such a simple concept, yet missed by ever so many.
***********************
George Washington's Farewell Addres, Complete
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice*; and let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
Whatever
may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of
peculiar structure; reason and experience both forbid us to expect,
that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring
of popular government.
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct;; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a peoples always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
* reference to the phrase "...so help me God."
The complete text may be found here:
George Washington's Complete Farewell Address
More of George Washington's Farewell Address
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice*; and let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
* reference to the phrase "...so help me God."
Comments on the whole address coming at the conclusion of this serial.
This blog is printing excerpts of George Washington's farewell address. As I have said, this address has affected persons around the world for generations. It has been used in classrooms all over the world. Unfortunately, many are now ignorant of its contents.
So, here is part three of Washington's Farewell Address.
George Washington's Farewell Address --Continued
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
In this post I begin a serial blogging of an excerpt of George Washington's Farewell Address. Almost lost now to history in our current entertainment-saturated environment, this address bears reading and re-reading.
No stale statement, this speech rings with truth and fairly shimmers with its truthful vibe.
George Washington's Farewell Address -- Opening
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.
-- to be continued
Rep. Liz Cheney of Utah
In a stern and impassioned rebuke to Trumpers, Rep. Liz Cheny of Utah delivered a ringing defense of democracy and liberty on the floor of the House earlier this evening. Ms. Cheney referenced soldiers chasing away voters in Kenya, and the Putin government in Russia allegedly assassinating a local mayor.
She went on in a clear, strong voice to declare those who support claims of a fraudulent election last fall as being "at war" with our democracy.
This powerful speech puts Ms. Cheney with the figures in John Kennedy's Profiles in Courage, for her own courage against bullies, lairs, and -- shall we say it? -- traitors.
Speech can be viewed here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/05/11/liz-cheney-house-floor-remarks-republican-vote-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/this-week-in-politics/
Quickly --
You may have heard or read about the brouhaha over the recently announced plans by European football (in America, soccer) team owners to form a new "Super League." This attempt was roundly denounced by fans and some of the other owners.
Now comes a very public demonstration by fans in Manchester making clear that the currently profit-seated mode is simply no longer feasible in Britain. This startling development, which occurred just this past Sunday, roused Britons to a new level of hope that the siphoning off by owners --a couple of which are Americans -- of the hard-earned cash of English workers, will one day stop. And perhaps this day will be relatively soon.
This American friend of the British workers says: The sooner the better.
Quick Link --
An important -- though small -- group of people worked to get the word out about the story of how Corporations were gradually given most of the rights of persons, in legal practice. This was the Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy (POCLAD). The door to this nefarious and devious scheme was opened in the nineteenth century by a clerk's erroneous emendation to a Supreme Court ruling. The web site below has archived documents on this fascinating and important study.
A few weeks ago, I promised more entries here about the role of the press and the media in the America of now. So here is an example: In this week's Sunday edition, The Washington Post declared in a bold headline that President Biden is "above water" in polling results, but at an average below that of recent Presidents other than Trump at this point in their terms.
With all due respect, this is -- professionally speaking -- idiocy. Why is it idiocy? It is so on several grounds. First I am not aware of what "above water" means when applied to Presidential polling. I am familiar with the term relating to mortgages, but in this context it is awkward and imprecise, to say the least.
Further, the headline attempts to leave Mr. Trump completely out of the picture, a decidedly dubious stance. Moreover with a sharply divided country, which is part of the Trump legacy, President Biden standing above 50% in approval is a major accomplishment, something no other candidate in the race could likely have achieved.
Finally, is not a certain noted Washington newspaper trying to appear "even-handed" in its reporting, by being "tough" on President Biden, just as they were with Trump? This does have its hilarious aspect.
So we come to the matter of truth. Do headlines such as this serve the public interest, with their combination of hubris and dishonesty? After all, context does matter. A majority of the public agrees President Biden is doing somewhere between a good and a terrific job -- under these circumstances.
Let America be grateful. Watchful, yes, and critical as needed, sure. But let us be freed from this soupy, muddy attention-mongering of some headline crafters.
Quick Post --
Over at Technopoly Alert, word has it the May issue of Astronomy magazine tells of what would look like an invading flotilla of sails with no real ship attached appearing above a planet of the nearest star to us after the sun.
Read more here:
Please read the article at the link below. It has the power to save lives.
With an innocuously titled article, "Lost in Thought," Harper's magazine has printed a stunning picture of the dangers of eastern meditation, even for persons without underlying "conditions." The work of the author here is surprising, and oh, so useful. I love this article even though the topic is utterly serious.
The practice of meditation was developed as a tool for monks in Buddhist monasteries many centuries ago. It was not intended for novices, but only for those who already had a background in Buddhist teachings.
In the late nineteenth century, however, practitioners -- adherents and teachers of Buddhism -- began to advocate for and offer the techniques to beginners. Now, retreats are being offered to those with little real knowledge of the teachings of the faith.
Sadly, there have been some horrible results, including the fate of one attendee described so clearly here.
The article is very well and professionally written, and with feeling. Highly recommended.
From the April issue of Harper's:
The Dangers of Eastern Meditation
Photo Credit: Doc Savage
The press and media of America continue their adventure in amorality and callousness. Wherever they can eek out some complaint about Joe Biden -- no matter how petty -- they are willing to do so. Not all practitioners of the trade of the bon voyeur fall prey to this evil spirit, but many do.
Worst is the unspoken desire to preserve the identity of the Old G.O.P. -- an identity which has mostly been lost now to the vapors of time -- as a new breed of sycophancy has emerged to dominate the old party of Lincoln. Thus we have in today's Washington Post an article about the subject of immigration as being suddenly a new topic to be taken up by Republicans as they seek to re-take the Senate. The re-acquiring of the Senate gavel is a task in and of itself a difficult one as the landscape might just as well favor Democrats after we get fully through President Biden's new New Deal. (What better term than this one can we come up with?)
Meantime, "Onward and Downward" seems to be the cry of the press and media, as they trudge along, plying their trade weighed down by the wares of a long ago cynicism and arrogance.
Salon magazine says the country's newly-minted recovery act will not stop capitalism's descent into a permanent abyss. This fairly astonishing headline has appeared on < Salon.com >. Never to my knowledge has such a phrase been used by any major media outlet predicting the ultimate demise of the profit system.
And yet, here we have it --the truth. According to Salon, our long-lasting and perpetual ruin-er of the economy -- the profit system, a.k.a capitalism -- is doomed. I agree. But to see this in its fullness requires a fuller study, not currently available on this blog.
But what a hopeful trend! My only great regret is that the process will not likely be short, and certainly not painless.
But the feeling seems to be getting stronger that America can and must do better than an economy based primarily on the needs of those who already have so much -- with everyone else getting even less.
Nevertheless, the Profit System is in a Death Spiral
*******************
Note to Reader: One reason for the recent break here at The Musical Patriot has been the dearth of articles of suitable depth and pertinence to inform the discussion here. Articles with quite pathetic criticisms of the brand-new Biden administration ("He's boring!") have failed to rise to the level of seriousness, to say the least. The advantage of this is that blogs like this can fill the void and contribute in a healthy and helpful way. If this blag can do that,even to a limited extent, I shall be gratified.
The Musical Patriot on Break
The Musical Patriot has been on a late-season break and will resume posting very soon.
Quick Link --
Long-time readers here may remember quite a few links and references to Truthout, a useful web site featuring thought-provoking and enlightening stories on news topics of the day.
The organization is still at work in a timely way. The link below will take you to their web page on media and culture with several highly recommended articles.
America needs truth now more than ever.
What we have in Texas is not only blind faith in the profit system, but in a state government which not only espoused and embraced the profit system but ordered itself as the chief defender of it. (Private for-profit electric and oil and gas companies above all else.)
Now, untold millions are forced to suffer -- because of the state they happen to live in. It has been said -- correctly -- that neighboring Arkansas handled the situation notably better (though while being no champion of economic equality).
Our hearts go out to Texans for a tragedy which didn't have to be.
N.B. As for the last statement, this is not just my my own view, but that of many commentators over the last several days, as well. Details can be given. I hope to say more about all this soon.
We have before us, then, a clear case of incitement. We have seen how a worried Trump launched an effort to sow doubt in the minds of supporters regarding the validity of the November election months before it even took place. We have seen how the invasion of the Michigan state Capitol served as a prelude to conspirators who were already known to each other, and indeed showed up at the U. S. Capitol months later.
Thus we have no one-off loss of control, but a plan for insurrection -- conceived, nurtured, and executed in the White House by the President of the United States. The matter could hardly be clearer.
And yet, certain business interests, fronted by the Republican Party, have emitted a fog of obfuscation, deflection, and denial. This obfuscation will continue today, as Trump enablers seek to turn attention away from the facts of January 6, and Trump's role in it, and toward side issues.
I believe the American people will not be deceived. Certain things can be felt, especially when they have actually been seen. There is no real way to hide or deflect. The President did what he did. It is now there on the record with a new, more powerful light shone upon it. Let us not avert our gaze. Let is join together -- in horror, yes -- but more importantly in a shared clarity. And then let us act with ennobled dispatch to make sure such a thing as January 6, 2021, never happens again.
Photo of Rep. Jamie Raskin, lead House impeachment manager
S omeday perhaps there will be a two-volume book by this title.
For now, we have only the transcript of today's opening Impeachment session in the United States Senate. With it's moving and powerful beginning video and riveting statements from the House managers, we are off and running with what must be the nation's most important Impeachment in history.
Those best equipped to offer commentary (as well as those less equipped) will do their jobs. As for this writer, I want to focus on the larger context and the nation's future. To this end I hope to offer pertinent and maybe even poignant posts here which may help at certain points to illuminate and inspire.
For while this is a frightening time what with armed hooligans assaulting the Capitol, it is also -- or can be -- a time of hope. But for us to have a hope-filled future, a certain kind of thoughtful planning must be done. If I am able to offer only a few suggestions of merit here I will feel gratified.
Information will be posted here from time to time.
Via Patriot in Exigency --
Here is Noam Chomsky's contribution to the discussion:
If we are lucky, the Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden as the 46th President of the United States will go smoothly tomorrow.
In reality, of course, luck has nothing to do with it. Only careful planning can assure this. By all reports, the planning has been superb, if necessarily rather militaristic.
So we can expect an event free of violence -- at least at the Capitol.
Of course, this is an historically very low bar, as we are used to cheering crowds, and a setting of a new vision for America. But in these times, what we need is a national re-set. We need a new base-line of normality, a new foundation for building a resurrected city on the hill.
Best wishes, Mr. Biden.
Amidst almost unimagineable chaos, the government at Washington still stands -- to echo a re-assuring statement from the past. A famous quote from President Lincoln of the same era warns that a house divided against itself cannot stand.
At this perilous time, and for a respite from televised news, I recommend the book shown above, "It Was All a Lie," by Steven Schmidt. This volume by an experienced Republican operative details just how we got to the current moment.
Insurrections do not appear suddenly. The current boiling cauldron of revolution is no different. This book tells the story in plain language.
Strongly recommended.
Failure of Law Enforcement to Prevent Violent Intrusion of Pro-Trump Mob
(up-dated)
Thousands of pro-Trump marchers stormed the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 6, after attending a rally at which Donald Trump used incendiary language to urge attendees to march on the Capitol. Masses of enraged rally-goers flooded first the Capitol grounds and then the Capitol itself forcing Congress to suddenly adjourn and members to depart to an undisclosed secure room within the Capitol building.
Washington, D.C. Police have now established a secure perimeter after hours of protestors and rioters having had effective control.
The question now is whether this is a culmination or only the beginning of further unrest.
Meantime, Congress is reportedly anxious to get back to work. First, our beloved Capitol must be made secure.
Later: Who Is to Blame? Media Cannot be Absolved
