it could be raining

I certainly don’t plan to quit blogging though.

A lot of us are grateful for that! You have a great talent, if you don’t mind me saying so.

One thing which helps me put the current mess in perspective is history. We’ve had a number of scoundrels in our government – maybe more scoundrels than honest people. Politics has been so heated in the past that government officials resorted to pistols at twenty paces to resolve their differences. There have been times when brother fought brother to the death. Citizens have been gunned down in the streets by the military.

None of these past events excuses the current administration’s trampling of the Constitution, and Congress’ refusing to do their duty, but we’ve still got it better right now than at many times in the past. I realize that “It could be worse” is small consolation, but I have to believe in the good sense of everyday Americans – the kind I met on my trip. You never see them on TV, but millions of them are out there.

Another thing to be thankful for is the younger generation. We (well OK, I) like to mock the “millennials”, but I am very satisfied that both my kids have turned out to be conservatives – and my daughter is a teacher, too! The grandkids and step-grandkids are the same. Seeing that gives me hope.

Thanks.

I try not to “totally immerse” myself in politics, but I have to fight it, because politics can really suck you (that is, me) in. But that’s why I often write about other things, such as dance; it’s an excellent distraction and a much more pleasant subject.

However, I think my New Year’s resolution (made to be broken) is to limit my political reading more. I certainly don’t plan to quit blogging though.

Since you made this post, I’ve been thinking a lot about your mental state; I hate it that you’re depressed, but being totally immersed in politics like you are would depress anyone. I blame the media. It’s my belief that the craven media want to depress people – conservatives especially – “If it bleeds, it leads” and all that. Their “product” is like a drug and they want to get you hooked. You just have to step back from time to time and realize that there is another world out there where things actually make sense and individuals are capable of achieving their goals.

I think I mentioned a couple months back that I made a three week cross-country trip and didn’t read “the news” the entire time. I met wonderful people everywhere I went, and felt a lot better about the future of America afterwords.

I’m certainly not suggesting that you take a break from blogging but, you know, everyone needs a vacation once in a while. Your highest moral duty is to take care of yourself.

Note to Alan F: The wife and I built the house and barn on the corner of LOVR and Lariat Dr.

You started out nice, but the ending is less than hopeful. Oh, and have a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, neo and all!

When I feel discouraged about the direction of Western Civ, and just as important, my alienation from longtime liberal friends, I remind myself that I am a member of a remarkable species that has created miraculous bounty for many at this point in its history. The hopeful ideals of religions and The Enlightenment of the last millennia are unrealistic in their failure to realize this Darwinian truth: “The struggle for life is most severe between individuals and varieties of the same species” (Origin of Species). Humans and other higher species continually compete for status as well as food, shelter and mates.

Given that understanding, I see myself as a scientific observer of a most remarkable species. But most importantly, I realize that my life so far has been miraculously bountiful in health and healthcare, financial security, neighborhood and country security, freedom of action, and wonderful recreation. When I think of the great variety of tragedies throughout history and in other parts of the world, now, I think that miraculous is not overstating it.

Unfortunately, right now, could be like 1938, only worse.

Alan F
Central Californian Coast