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The Leopard's Tale

3/25/2020

The Leopard was just a leopard. Nothing special. Not smart. He lived well in his part of the forest because of a ruthlessness inherited from his father. He would overcome and devour whatever game he wished. His life was comfortable.

One day the Leopard decided that wasn’t enough. He wanted to be a king and rule the entire forest. Most of the animals were small, but some of the larger ones also wanted to be king. There was a lion, a gazelle, and a chimpanzee. All of them tried to get the small animals on their side. If they got enough, they could attack the other potential kings.

It was the Leopard, though, that killed his rivals one by one, simultaneously saying he would protect the really small animals from the not so small ones. With all rivals dispatched, he was accepted as king.

He was not well liked. The not so small animals, about half those in the forest, hated him. But the really small animals, the other half, thought he was wonderful. The few big animals were afraid of him, so they did whatever he asked. If they did not, he would kill and eat them.

One day the Leopard woke to find a few insects in his lair. They were insects like he’d never seen before. He watched them attack a worm wriggling across the floor. He laughed, even though the worm was one of the really small animals that adored him. The next day there were twice as many insects, and he observed with pleasure as they covered a squirrel, one of the not so small animals that were his bitter enemies. Soon the squirrel was dead from the insect bites.

The third day the insect count had doubled again, and again on the fourth and the fifth so there were 16 times the number as on the first day. They were attacking and killing larger and larger animals, but mainly ones the Leopard wasn’t concerned about.

By the tenth day there were 512 times as many of the insects as there were on the first day. More and more of the animals were being destroyed by them. The Leopard feared the really small and not so small animals could become so scared they would join forces to remove him from being king. He had to do something.

He devised a plan.

He brought all the animals that ate insects together and told them to go to work. Then he excused himself for a while to roll in the mud. When he returned, he said, “I’m going to inform the animals what I’ve done.”

He gathered all the animals of the forest. He told them he was so smart because he had instructed the insect eating animals to clear the menace that faced them all. He said everything would be all right. He asked the insect eating animals to reassure the others, but instead their leader said they weren’t sure they could eat all the insects. Then the Leopard said it really wasn’t as bad as the insect eater had indicated. So the really small and many of the not so small animals felt better.

They thought the Leopard was changed, that he would protect the not so small animals as well as the really small ones. They liked how he’d asked experts on eating insects to talk to them. They thought the emergency had turned him into a good leader.

One said, “Look, his spots are gone.”

It took a while, but eventually the insects disappeared. Not because the insect eating animals had exterminated them. Since so much time had elapsed before the Leopard acted, there were too many insects for that. They just left for no apparent reason. But the Leopard assured all it was because of him, and all the animals proclaimed him to be a wonderful king.

Then a funny thing happened. Once the insects were gone, the Leopard became even more ruthless than he’d been before, starting by devouring the insect eating animal that had not agreed with him when they gave talks.

The Leopard went for a swim, one he had avoided since the infestation had begun. He strolled to the river and immersed himself, making sure all the mud he’d laboriously applied so long ago was washed from his body.

As he emerged from the river, he was observed by a deer who took one look and raced away in fear.

Because the spots were back on the Leopard.

He hadn’t changed them at all.

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Winning in November

3/18/2020

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With the coronavirus beginning its assault on our nation, it perhaps seems inconsequential to be discussing elections. On the other hand, the American people tend to flock to their president during a crisis. That scares me. Because to a large extend our president has set the stage for a delayed response to the attack. Please be safe, take prudent measures, and shower family and friends with love.
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The following are just a few of the steps our president has taken to “Make America Great Again.”

Reduce restraints on fertilizer dumping into waterways
Ease barriers for exporting firearms
Roll back improved nutritional standards, thereby reducing requirements on school lunches
Decrease access to health insurance
Allow publication of plans for producing guns on a 3D printer
Remove recommendations of health experts
Create fear in desperate people fleeing unspeakable conditions
Indicate the coronavirus is not a threat, merely a Democratic hoax
Assign derogatory nicknames to national leaders
Mock people’s looks, especially women

There’s nothing new in the list. It represents the sort of actions we’ve come to expect from our “leader.” I’m sure with a little research the list could be expanded tenfold or more. And the daily reports often announce new potential entries.

How can we combat our current situation, find enough people to vote Trump out of office? With absolutely no certain knowledge, I do have some thoughts.

First, I think it’s a huge mistake to make our main message be “No More Trump!” Sure, that’s a feel-good cry for those of us who recognize its importance. But, for those who voted for him in 2016, it’s a battle cry unlikely to motivate change.

Now, no one is going to alter the views of those who attend his rallies, chant “Lock her up,” or select a single news source whose biased output is accepted as gospel.

Not everyone who voted for Trump, though, fits that stereotype. I have to believe that many are decent human beings. If I’m wrong, we truly are lost.

So how do we win in November? I feel it’s not enough to “get out the vote,” that is, convince as many as possible who are expected to vote Democratic to actually do so. Certainly, that effort should continue. Especially among those whose preferred candidate didn’t get the nomination.

However, I think it’s also important to attempt to convince some of the Trump voters to switch. We don’t need to swing many. After all, the Trump “victory,” you know, the one where he lost the popular vote by three million, was enabled by just a few tens of thousands in the electoral college fiasco.

I would like to see the message Democrats project to be one of inclusion and acceptance. I think (hope) people are desperate for true attempts to bring the country together.

Democrats seeking office, from the presidential level on down, should talk about the topics the populace is interested in, including health care, environment, immigration, and jobs. And not through boring stump speeches heard only by the already adoring. They should emphasize healing and bridging gaps. As I said, they should not repeat over and over that the main task is to remove Trump from office—even if it is.

We as individuals also can do our part. How? We can engage with those who voted for Trump but still seem to have a sense of decency, when and if the coronavirus disappears, of course. In no way should this be done in an antagonistic manner. Believe me, I know how hard what I’m asking is, and I’m not sure I can follow my own advice. But if you’re up to it, start by listening to them. Say things like, “Yes, I can see where you might think that way.” It’s okay to add, “I don’t agree but I understand your view (even if you don’t).” Then what? It may be wishful thinking, but I believe there are a couple of issues you could raise where there just might be potential to create a change in view.

Many older folks have bought into the MAGA propaganda. This is a group of people who tend to have grandchildren. And mouths. They use the latter a lot to talk about the former, action enhanced by scrolling through picture after picture on their phones. Can they be reached by discussing how climate change is likely to negatively affect the life quality of their offspring’s offspring? Will they listen, think about it, and perhaps come to support a leader who believes in science? I have to believe some might if the climate change topic is broached this way.

Many Republican supporters are concerned about healthcare. Especially if they have preexisting conditions. Especially now and especially if they are older. Is there any way they can be convinced the current administration has shown no real interest in whether they live or die, or become impoverished by expenses? Would a friendly discussion help them recognize that, instead, the president and his lackeys have attempted to tear down what already exists without a viable replacement? That he reduced funding for health agencies that exacerbated the spread of the coronavirus?

Would it work? Who knows? I wish I was more optimistic. We just need one thing in our favor.

That most people are basically decent.

Please let it be true.

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Ham Radio—and Dad

3/11/2020

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When I was in high school my pocket held no device allowing me access to acquaintances worldwide. A few years later, at college in Massachusetts, I required an operator and a handful of quarters to speak with the girl in Orlando who was to become my wife.

Communication often was different, difficult, and costly.

But not for some. Not for ham radio operators. They could communicate amongst themselves with relative ease, and it didn’t cost a dime. Unless, of course, you counted the investment in equipment and the electricity used to run it.

Doesn’t it sound like fun? My dad and I thought so when I was in high school. The idea came easily. Getting on the air was a bit trickier.

I’m not up on current ham trends, but I suspect most if not all employ voice communication, you know, where you actually speak your messages.

In 1950 there were two choices, voice and Morse code. There was plenty of the former, but no shortage of operators used the latter. And the equipment for Morse was less expensive.

So it was an easy and economical choice to go the Morse code route, and I’m glad we did. But where would we get the necessary apparatus? In New York City, obviously. On Canal Street, the Mecca of electronic paraphernalia. We made a foray one Saturday. I had no idea how to find what was needed, but my dad did, and we took our previously owned prizes home, bursting with excitement.

We needed an antenna. I can’t remember for sure what it was, but I am positive about what it wasn’t. It was not an Eiffel tower sprouting to the heavens from our roof as is often seen these days. It most probably was a wire strung around the house and perhaps fed through a window. Whatever it was, it worked!

Equipment installed, antenna poised. Ready to go? Not even close!

Hurdle 1: Learn how to receive and transmit Morse code with a specified minimum proficiency.

Hurdle 2: Pass an exam given by the federal government demonstrating that proficiency as well as knowledge of basic electronics.

To tackle the first of these problems we tuned in, with our brand new used equipment, to a station that broadcast code for the express purpose of letting would be operators practice. It was okay to listen, but not to transmit. My dad and I both worked hard and eventually we became comfortable with our ability.

Next was the study of a book with I’m sure a creative title such as “Preparing for the Ham Operator Exam.” I learned later my dad was afraid I’d pass and he wouldn’t. The odds of that happening were miniscule. He actually understood the material while I, well, let’s not go there.

The day of the exam finally came and we traveled to New York City to take it. I don’t recall how long we waited for the results, but eventually the mail arrived with the license. We both used the same call letters, W2ATR. And this is what I was to be known by to any contacts in the ham world.

And contacts there were. From various spots around the country. One day I had one I couldn’t believe. With someone from California! I couldn’t wait for my dad to come home from work so I could tell him.

For that contact especially, but really for all, it was nice to have some sort of recognition it had occurred. And that’s what QSL cards were and still are all about. Most operators bought a stack, and I was no different. I can’t remember all the information on it, but it undoubtedly included my name and address. And for sure W2ATR was plastered in large colored font across the entire card. They were about 3 by 5 inches. Upon completion of a contact, one of the operators would request the sharing of QSLs. Almost always the other agreed, and each would mail his card to the other. I collected quite a stack.

After my dad died and I left for college, my interest in ham radio evaporated. W2ATR now belongs to an operator in New York.

But the memory of the shared experience with my father has lasted a lifetime.

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Cooperate or Mourn

3/4/2020

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I recently read an article about a woman, apparently with a large social media following, who expressed uncertainty about who to vote for in the upcoming Democratic primary.

I felt her pain.

What shocked me is what happened next. According to the story, from what I consider a reliable source, the woman was attacked by a slew of responses purported to be from Bernie Sanders’ supporters. Some were thoughtful, but a disproportionate number were vile. She was called a bitch and worse. My first thoughts were how could this be happening by the “good” folk? How was this any different from what the Republicans and our president do? Aren’t we supposed to be better: I was sick.

Reflection made me wonder if my initial reaction was correct. I realized there were at least three explanations for the response, not just the one I’d leaped at.

(1) This was truly carried out by Sanders’ supporters. If that’s the case, shame, shame, shame. Especially more so now since the race has narrowed.

(2) The response was orchestrated by some branch of the Republican hit squad under the perhaps correct assumption that Trump would have no trouble beating Sanders. I fear that may be a valid supposition, especially in view of Sanders’ remarks concerning Castro, even if there was some validity to them. They just weren’t smart. Because of them, many feel, if Sanders is the nominee, that Florida is lost. And if Florida is lost, so is the election. Then we would continue down the path of destruction of our representative democracy.

(3) The Russians or some other foreign power were behind the attacks. For the same reasons as listed in the previous point. I suspect they would love Trump to remain in office so they could continue to strengthen their presence in the Middle East, Europe and around the world. Because Trump is no match for the superior intelligence and cunning of our enemies. After all, he has great admiration for their despotic leaders.

I have no idea which of these scenarios is the truth, if any of them are. But I was struck by a common thread.

The success of any one of the three is dependent on the egos of the candidates and the narrow minded support of their followers. It’s the notion that only the candidate a person wants is acceptable. That there is no desire to support anyone else. That the good of the country is defined by one person only.

It’s easy to tear us apart when we have the expectation there can be no cooperation between those of opposing views. The threat is implicit that if Sanders is not nominated, his supporters won’t support who is. Thus the only path to victory is a Sanders nomination.

It’s just another manifestation of the splitting of our nation epitomized by the top man in Washington. Only this time it’s our team that’s responsible. We have become a nation where we can see only the small good we want, and not the larger good we need. And that larger good in this upcoming election is removing Trump from office.

So what do we do? It’s going to take significant moral character. The candidates, those still in the race and those who have dropped out, must make it clear that, no matter who wins the nomination, they will support him (sadly, as I write this it appears no woman has a chance). And every individual who loves our country must make the same commitment. We also must accept that all platforms expounded on the political trail have merit, and that, once the primary election is over, the party will work to find the best of them in a framework of mutual respect and willingness to give as well as take.

I have been impressed by a recent column by Thomas Friedman in which he recommends the nominee, well before the election, announce his vice-presidential pick and cabinet choices that include every one of his rivals for the nomination. If that doesn’t pull all possible voters towards a Democratic victory, I don’t know what will. Every voter would see his or her candidate’s positions are respected. Friedman offers suggestions for which individual would fill which cabinet seat. They make sense.

Indeed, it seems like a great idea. But questions concern me. Will the nominee have the sense to do this? Will those asked to fill a position accept? Are they strong enough to set their ambition, hurt feelings, and divisions aside, at least for a while, for the common good?

I hope so. Because otherwise I fear we will be crying together.

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The Leopard's Tale

Winning in November

Ham Radio—and Dad

Cooperate or Mourn

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