Cease Fire!

Like most people I am very happy that there is a Cease Fire in Gaza.  And like most, even reluctantly, I give Trump credit for creating and managing the process that made it happen.

And as I listen to the pundits/experts opine, I'm in agreement with most of them that while this first step is welcome, most of what is left to do to attain a permanent peace and stability in the Middle East is just that - left to do.

Since I'm on the subject of reluctant kudos, I was interested and surprised to read a lengthy article in the Times that detailed Jared Kushner's role in getting to this Cease Fire.  It painted a positive picture of what he has done and how he has done it.  I wouldn't have guessed he was that effective.  

So go figure -a couple of surprises today! 

Speechless!

Friends have been asking why I haven't posted recently.  Good question.  Is it because I have no opinions worth sharing?  No, that's not it.  Is it because I'm OK with what I see happening in the world around me?  No, definitely that's not it.  What then has made me kind of mute?

Every day I think about what I observe and silently talk to myself in a reaction.  Usually, these days what I have to say to myself isn't a positive interpretation.  I am appalled by what I see pretty much everywhere I look.  And it seems that the trend is downhill for as far as I can see.

So if I write about it I am adding my voice (or scream) to the noise and it won't make a difference, so why bother?  That's not a pessimistic outlook, its worse than that.  It is cynicism.  And I realize that being a cynic, and talking about it, is not helpful - either to me or to anyone who may be listening.

So I keep it to myself.  I choose to be speechless.  Not something I'm proud of, by the way.  But in copping to it now I am taking a positive step, more in keeping with my commitment to telling the truth as I see it rather than surrendering to the forces that cause me to be speechless. 

Dumb and Dumber!

I hear that Attorney General Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Burgum came to my city the other day to check out Alcatraz.  Apparently they are following up on their boss's harebrained idea that we should make Alcatraz into a working prison again.

Defintely qualifies as dumb and dumber.  Some say he got the idea after watching an old movie about a failed escape attempt before Alcatraz was shut down in 1963.  There are a thousand reasons not to seriously consider such a move, but loyal Trumpers will dutifully follow up on the boss's musings, dumb or not.

Unrelated thought:  No way CBS/Paramount cancelling Colbert doesn't have a political dimension.  Another bribe to smooth the way for the FCC to approve Paramount's pending merger with Skydance.

Time Out!

No focus on the bad news today.  Instead, some good news.  A spotlight on sports, specifically on tennis at Wimbledon.  And good news in the example set by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Great skill, yes, as one would hope/expect from the world's #1 and #2.  But that's not the best news.  It is who they are as young men with grace, intelligence and integrity.  Examples that make one proud to be a fan of either or both of them.

In this time of ego-driven hubris dominating the headlines, I am happy to celebrate true quality as exemplified by these heroes.   

Disgust of the Day!

Here I am again.  Two days in a row.  How about that?  Maybe this is the start of a trend.

But I couldn't resist calling attention to today's disgusting event.  While most eyes are focused on the vote for Trump's budget bill I'm resigned to that passing and am looking at something else: CBS caving in and giving Trump $16 million to make him go away in his lawsuit saying that 60 Minutes did bad things to him when it edited an interview with Kamala Harris.

$16 million just happens to be the same amount ABC paid him when he complained about a broadcast he didn't like.  Shameful!  Disgusting!

These are bribes, paid to curry favor with a bully who threatens their business.  Freedom of the press?  Hiding under the table pretending to be invisible.  Taking a stand for truth, consequences be damned?  Nowhere to be seen.  Disgusting!

For decades, 60 Minutes has stood atop the news world: trusted, interesting, relevant.  Will that be the way it is going forward?  I'd like to say yes, but my confidence level that it will be same is low.  That, truly, is a shame! 

Back Again!

I haven't posted in a while, but it isn't because I haven't had anything to say.  Every day as the events of the day unfold I find myself with thoughts, opinions and all too often upsets about what is going on.  Which leaves me with the conclusion that nothing I say will make any difference, so why bother saying it.  I'm reminded of the old comment about how much difference a fart in a hurricane will make.

A few months ago I said that the worst is yet to come and unfortunately I was right.  Wherever I look its worse:  The Supreme Court - the Congress - Ukraine - Gaza - Civil Rights - Freedom (or lack of it) in Universities - LGBTQ+ Rights - Energy Regulations - Immigration - USAID Programs terminated condemning millions to an early death - Etc., etc., etc.

In my bubble life is calm and stable.  Outside its a mess.  So maybe I'll fight my sense of resignation and speak up.  Maybe I won't.  Sorry, but that's the way it is at the moment. 

Lethal Weapon!

When told that the impact of his tariffs would result in less toys at Christmas, Trump's response was a "too bad" the kids would have two dolls instead of 20 and they'd cost a few bucks more.

Big mistake!  When less toys become the order of the day, when kids don't get what they want, parents will need someone to blame.  The fat guy with the orange hair will be an easy target.

Toys as a lethal weapon?  You heard it here first!