January 24, 2022--Wag the Cat

About halfway into it, Rona snapped to attention, and, muttering to herself, stomped out of the room, saying, "I can't stand it anymore."

She was talking about Joe Biden's two-hour, world-record-long press conference.

The one during which his biggest gaffe (and it was a whopper) was when he signaled to the world, especially Vladimir Putin, that if he orders a "minimum" invasion of Ukraine our response would be equally moderate.

All well and good, but what about no military invasion at all and why are we discussing strategies of this kind in public?

The White  House staff spent the rest of the night cleaning this one up. This is why Biden does't do regular press conferences.

The next morning Rona was still agitated, still talking about Joe Biden. "I know I shouldn't be saying any of this. I don't want to do or say anything that would harm him politically. Most important still is to do anything and everything we can to keep Trump from getting reelected. So I am hesitant to criticize Biden."

"I  hate to," I said. "But also find it hard to remain silent. I'm not sure what's helpful. Maybe just let it go."

"We can't. We need to light a fire under Biden and Democrats." 

"Did you see the article recently in the Times Sunday Review, which reported on a wide ranging focus group they conducted about the state of our politics. One question was to ask those participating (mainly moderates) to share one word they feel best characterizes Biden."

"I hate those things," Rona said, "They're just a gimmick."

"I don't disagree," I said, "But this one isn't."

"So what did people say?"

"Functional adult, detached, calmness. But then there is also out of touch, clueless, and sleepy. All of which unfortunately have the ring of truth. But then there are harsher assessments like lazy, sleepy, and old."

"I'm feeling much the same way and I liked him when he last run for president."

"I worry that if this a wide reaching perception we have a lot of political work to do."

"I also worry that we may be entering wag the dog time in Ukraine.

Rona asked, "Didn't the Bidens just get a cat?" 

"OK. wag the cat, Not much better."

January 14, 2022--The Supremes

I don't know why it's taken me so long, but I just realized that with the possible exception of Clarence Thomas, all members of the Court are likely to outlive me.  

So the current Court is my Court for the rest of my life.  

Should I kill myself now?

January 10, 2022--Lost My Mind

Some said I lost my mind more than awhile time ago. I contend it occurred just last week on January 6th. 

I am certain I lost my mind during the ceremonies marking the anniversary of the insurrection.

When I saw Liz Cheney and her father, the hated Dick, on the floor of the House of Representatives.

I wasn't hallucinating. It was them and they were there.

I got tears in my eyes (father-daughter things do that to me).

But this was more than the usual. 

The tears were because I was liking them.

Liking Dick Cheney?

This can only be if I'm out of my mind.