Interesting column and excellent responses. Music clearly is salve for those things that ail us. Every day when we hit the pool with our puppies in tow, we find incredible music to float away from the day's troubles. While i suspect our generational musical choices differ, those musicians from our time provide endless hours away from the madness.
I do have to ask you a personal question (and others who have responded), the non-stop references to both sides being bad fascinate me. Here's the question: Are both sides equally bad?
Obviously the fact that so many former republican's have abandoned their party as never-trumpers certainly creates an illusion that one side is worse than the other. I have my bias, so my opinion may be different than yours.
Finally, let me recommend an Amazon series i am currently plowing through. The "Last Resort" is stunning to follow as it weaves its way through countless human interactions in a setting that is unsettling at best. I think some will find it interesting, other will see it as a political jab.
I try to look at politics as an umpire behind the plate calling balls and strikes. A strike on the corner is same as one down the middle. So I feel free to agree or disagree with both parties.
Fair enough Jay and good to see you are still alive and kicking. You've been pretty quiet of late.
I have no problem being critical of the democrats. I find many of them incapable of adjusting to the politics of our time. Schumer needs to go but the man will hang around longer than Pelosi did.
Way too many of them function through the lens of their handlers. Without their speech writers they are helpless and hopeless. Rarely do we find politicians from either party conversant and down to earth, able to talk to us mere mortals as if we matter.
With that out of the way, i cringe when folks tell me Obama or Biden were as bad as trump. He is a one man crime spree and not a single soul in his party will tell him he's a freaking criminal. I know; but Hunter sold his paintings and how about that laptop. Give me a break.
The interesting footnote has been the defection of democrats who bought trump's "man of the people" BS. A year and a half in, many of them are coming to grips with the reality he doesn't give two shits about them.
All of which will make this November election so interesting...assuming we have one.
I am still kicking. Current course of events have been a mighty downer. Looking to places more uplifting to my wellbeing. That said I count the days until Trump is out of the White House. I can say my dissatisfaction with Obama followed in a traditional disagreement on policy and political outlook. Yes, Trump is something different. What a mess we are in.
Going back to WW2, I've heard a lot about how the Nazis differed from the communists because they were extreme rightists while the Soviets were extreme leftists. Looking at the situation in both countries and the leadership the populations embraced, I don't see much difference in their messaging to and handling of any dissidents that opposed their policies. From my view, two peas in the same pod.
In today's USA, the rightists are comprised of MAGA and the leftists include many extreme views with their own personal agendas, including the DSA, BLM and LGBTQ+ groups who's only common ties lie in their opposition to MAGA. From my point of view, two peas in the same pod. Do these people make up the majority of Americans? Not by a long shot but there are far too many Americans who choose to support their side regardless of differences because those in power both reinforce the idea that there are only two choices and if you aren't supporting one side or the other then you're wasting your vote.
It's time for Americans to smarten up, look at the vast majority of their leaders understanding that the most important policy any of them have is to maintain their own political power and start searching out candidates who have and live the moral and ethical values needed to further our position in the world while maintaining American values here. Any candidate that enjoys the full support of either Republican or Democrat leadership needs to be viewed through very discerning lenses and for the most part dismissed as part of the problem and not part of a solution.
Interesting column and excellent responses. Music clearly is salve for those things that ail us. Every day when we hit the pool with our puppies in tow, we find incredible music to float away from the day's troubles. While i suspect our generational musical choices differ, those musicians from our time provide endless hours away from the madness.
I do have to ask you a personal question (and others who have responded), the non-stop references to both sides being bad fascinate me. Here's the question: Are both sides equally bad?
Obviously the fact that so many former republican's have abandoned their party as never-trumpers certainly creates an illusion that one side is worse than the other. I have my bias, so my opinion may be different than yours.
Finally, let me recommend an Amazon series i am currently plowing through. The "Last Resort" is stunning to follow as it weaves its way through countless human interactions in a setting that is unsettling at best. I think some will find it interesting, other will see it as a political jab.
I try to look at politics as an umpire behind the plate calling balls and strikes. A strike on the corner is same as one down the middle. So I feel free to agree or disagree with both parties.
Fair enough Jay and good to see you are still alive and kicking. You've been pretty quiet of late.
I have no problem being critical of the democrats. I find many of them incapable of adjusting to the politics of our time. Schumer needs to go but the man will hang around longer than Pelosi did.
Way too many of them function through the lens of their handlers. Without their speech writers they are helpless and hopeless. Rarely do we find politicians from either party conversant and down to earth, able to talk to us mere mortals as if we matter.
With that out of the way, i cringe when folks tell me Obama or Biden were as bad as trump. He is a one man crime spree and not a single soul in his party will tell him he's a freaking criminal. I know; but Hunter sold his paintings and how about that laptop. Give me a break.
The interesting footnote has been the defection of democrats who bought trump's "man of the people" BS. A year and a half in, many of them are coming to grips with the reality he doesn't give two shits about them.
All of which will make this November election so interesting...assuming we have one.
I am still kicking. Current course of events have been a mighty downer. Looking to places more uplifting to my wellbeing. That said I count the days until Trump is out of the White House. I can say my dissatisfaction with Obama followed in a traditional disagreement on policy and political outlook. Yes, Trump is something different. What a mess we are in.
Take care bro and try and find joy whenever and wherever. My dogs are my happy place these days.
Great way to start the day Steve.
Going back to WW2, I've heard a lot about how the Nazis differed from the communists because they were extreme rightists while the Soviets were extreme leftists. Looking at the situation in both countries and the leadership the populations embraced, I don't see much difference in their messaging to and handling of any dissidents that opposed their policies. From my view, two peas in the same pod.
In today's USA, the rightists are comprised of MAGA and the leftists include many extreme views with their own personal agendas, including the DSA, BLM and LGBTQ+ groups who's only common ties lie in their opposition to MAGA. From my point of view, two peas in the same pod. Do these people make up the majority of Americans? Not by a long shot but there are far too many Americans who choose to support their side regardless of differences because those in power both reinforce the idea that there are only two choices and if you aren't supporting one side or the other then you're wasting your vote.
It's time for Americans to smarten up, look at the vast majority of their leaders understanding that the most important policy any of them have is to maintain their own political power and start searching out candidates who have and live the moral and ethical values needed to further our position in the world while maintaining American values here. Any candidate that enjoys the full support of either Republican or Democrat leadership needs to be viewed through very discerning lenses and for the most part dismissed as part of the problem and not part of a solution.
Behold, the rotten fruits: Graham Platner, Ken Paxton.
Exactly
Very well said, by both of you.
Some good writing, Steve.
Thank you Curtis!