Blog Archives

Idle Thoughts

8/25/2021

Will Donald Trump, sure he has won the 2020 election, recognize he cannot run in 2024 as that would violate the two successive term limit written by amendment into the Constitution?

Does Florida Governor Ron DeSantis secretly wish Donald Trump will be criminally indicted and perhaps then be unable to compete in 2024?

Do the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle alter their shape as the puzzle nears completion to change from ones that didn’t fit anywhere early on to ones that now slide easily into place?

Why does a mirror switch views left and right but not up and down? (Thanks to Bill Marks, a college friend, who asked this in 1955)

Will anti-maskers who require surgery demand all medical personnel operate without such protection?

Will someone who doesn’t believe a mask will save him from Covid-19 think it will protect him if he robs a bank?

Would a child who feels threatened by classmates not wearing masks be eligible for a voucher allowing him or her to attend a private school where masks are required?

Does a leaf, as it flutters to the ground past the eyes of the landowner think, Ha, I’ve done my job; now you have to work and rake me up?

Does a dog approaching the dinner dish think, Not again! This is the 2,463rd time I’ve had the same slop!

Will a 2nd Amendment nut change his views when one of his guns lying around his home is picked up by an infant son who accidentally shoots a beloved daughter?

Does Governor DeSantis sending local law enforcement officers to the Texas border, taking them away from their normal work, constitute a defunding of the local police?

If Charlie Crist loses the 2022 gubernatorial race, will he try again in 2026 as the candidate of the Whig party?

A local resident, when raging about the potential threat to traffic safety at a planned drive through at a proposed new Starbucks, referenced one at a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts shop and said, “I’ve barely missed being hit by the doughnut’s.” Sounds like a sweet escape to me.

Don’t you love state leaders chaffing at federal restrictions on Monday and seizing control from local leaders on Tuesday?

When is the governor expected to issue his ban on businesses mandating that customers wear a shirt, shoes, and pants?

Should parents troubled by the minimum age restriction to drive a car have the power to opt out so their 12-year-old can hit the road?

2 Comments

We're Number One

8/18/2021

1 Comment

Oh, Florida may not be a leader in health care, or education, or affordable housing, or social services, or environmental protection, or any number of other areas.

But we can proudly proclaim to be first in a situation recognized nationally.

We have had more of our citizens criminally charged for participating in the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 than any other state.

And I imagine for every person so charged, there are dozens or perhaps hundreds or maybe even thousands more locals who support what was done that day.

Makes me proud to live here.

And it’s a comfort to know how many such right-wing crazies are members of our police departments. They’re joining to obtain experience they can use to attack our democracy. In fact, even some of those arrested are in these organizations or local fire departments. Knowing such individuals might be the responders when we need assistance has to be reassuring. Especially if we’re not a white male.

Now I wouldn’t want you to think this is the only area where Florida ranks first and makes national headlines. We are enjoying a higher rate of Covid infections than any other state. We actually are in a tight race with Texas for this honor. Every day I check the rankings, worrying we will lose this special distinction.

I am encouraged by our governor who refuses to insist on measures that would mitigate the problem, such as requiring masks in schools or proofs of vaccination by businesses. I think under his inspired leadership we can be ensured our top place in the nation will endure.

Yet another area where we are doing all in our power to be number one is gun ownership. Unfortunately, we rank only third at the current time in number of guns per 1000 residents. This is unsettling to our leaders and they promise new laws to ease requirements for gun ownership. Maybe even a campus carry bill!

Nevertheless, it will be a tough challenge to move up. Florida currently brags that, for every 1000 of our population, there are 343 guns. A hefty number but it puts us behind both California and Texas. The good news is we have an excellent opportunity to move into second place because California’s number is “only” 344. I’m confident we can surpass that. Texas, though, is another matter with 588 guns per 1000 people. That sounds like a formidable challenge, but I have complete faith in our Republican leaders to fight hard to gain first spot.

A final area where we come out on top is in the race for the least amount of per-person spending for mental health services, about $36 per person. If you include Puerto Rico, though, we fall to second place behind the territory’s $20.

I’m sure there are many other areas where we can take pride in our high ranking.

What a joy it is to live in Floriduh.

1 Comment

The Olympics

8/11/2021

0 Comments

I’ve always liked the Olympics. Both the summer and winter games. Every four years, when young, I’d read about them in the paper. When television entered my life, I’d watch and watch—and watch some more. The winter and summer games used to be held the same year. I was delighted when they switched to the current two-year separation. I always rooted for the USA and daily checked the medal count.

They’ve changed a lot over the years, with more competitions added. But the old favorites of gymnastics, track and field, ice skating, and skiing remain dear to most fans. And me too in times gone by. I continue to marvel at the athleticism required to meet the increased expectations necessary to receive a high score. Now days, though, I find gymnastics and ice skating difficult to watch as I understand better the dangers in the sport.

Amateurism was key early on. If any participant was found to take money, that is, be a pro, they were denied entry. I don’t know when that changed, but I think it a step in the wrong direction. There was just something positive about people training for the pure love of a sport instead of the money that can be made off it. Unfortunately, some countries, such as Russia and East Germany, essentially had professional teams with the country as employer. Going professional, then, might have been a necessary step to counter such shenanigans.

But the idea of the amateur is not lost, at least in spirit. These summer Olympics included archery, badminton, fencing, judo, skateboarding, and sport climbing, along with a host of other competitions. The winter games highlight biathlon, curling, and snowboarding. These are not sports that tend to thrust their winners to the back of Wheaties boxes.

These days I try to watch these offbeat sports more than the big draws. They receive less TV time than others, but I’ll grab whatever I can.

I have been struck by the fact that the athletes participating in them are as dedicated to their training and as motivated to getting gold as are the ones in the sports we hear most about. In this country and countries throughout the world they quietly prepare. They may have their own meets, but rarely if ever do they appear on ESPN or are featured in newspaper sports sections.

To me they represent the true spirit of the Olympics that existed in earlier days.

I was speaking with a friend about this year’s games. Like me, he has been an ardent fan for years. He said that it didn’t seem as interesting to him this year as in the past and he wasn’t sure why. I admitted I was feeling the same way.

I think one reason is that the live events began around 8:00 pm because Tokyo is 13 hours ahead of my local time. And my time for sleep is shortly thereafter, precluding watching most of the live coverage.

Another reason may be the lack of fans due to the toll Covid had taken in Japan. There have been reports of the negative effect this had on the athletes. It was clear how much they missed the presence of their families. I think it also had a negative effect on the observer. The cheering of those in the stands in some way acts as a representative of our own vocal support thousands of miles away.

Yet another reason is the abundance of commercials, a problem not confined to the Olympics but particularly noticeable there. I realize everything is so expensive now and it costs a fortune to broadcast from the myriad of sites where competitions occur. The funds have to come from somewhere and advertisements supply them. But it’s still annoying as hell.

But despite the time difference, the fan absence, and the ad preponderance, there is still something special about the Olympics, the amazing performances of the athletes, the gathering of cultures from around the world, the intermingling and mutual support of athletes from different countries, and, in the words from ABC’s Wide World of Sports, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”

And I still check the medal count and take pride in the achievements of my country’s athletes.

Bring on the winter games in 2022.

0 Comments

What Might Have Been?

8/4/2021

2 Comments

Every so often a politician appears whose force of personality can motivate huge segments of the population. Their words inspire, they promise changes many want, they shape the mindset of those who listen.

Sometimes they become president. I think Teddy Roosevelt was such a person.

There have been other charismatic leaders in more recent times. I believe we could place Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama in that category. I don’t agree with all their agendas, but there is no denying each had the personality to make a distinctive impression and forge a large following.

I believe there’s another who could be added to the list.

Donald J. Trump.

Readers of this space know what I think of him. But it would be foolish to deny the sway he holds over a large percentage of our citizens. So much so that they will believe lies, invade buildings, restrict voting, and reject any moral training they may have received as youngsters.

I first started to think about this posting by wondering what might have been had Trump chosen to use his motivational talents in a different way. Could he have inspired our nation to reach new heights? If so, would he have become the “great” president he so often proclaimed himself to be instead of one of the worst in our history?

I pondered this—for a very short time. Then I realized there was no way he could have achieved greatness of the sort I envision. Those other presidents I’ve mentioned instigated changes in society, some good and some bad. But all reflecting a goal that was bigger than the man himself.

Everything Trump espoused was motivated by no higher ideal than his personal gratification. I don’t believe he has any concept of “the greater good.”

Furthermore, I began to realize a worthier message, if he had had one, would not have resonated with a large percentage of the folks he has bound to his deity. Either by design or by luck, he tapped into the racism that had laid largely hidden in our land and tacitly gave it permission to rise to the highest level we have seen in decades.

I’ve come to believe I was wrong to even consider the possibility that Trump could have performed on a higher plane. He simply doesn’t have the moral basis for it, and he could have achieved little without his message of hate that appealed to so many who would have felt at home when slavery ruled the South. His motivational talents were doomed to be wasted.

I hope it will not be too long before some new charismatic correct-thinking messenger appears who can rally the populace to the greater good and inspire us all to treasure the workings of our democracy.

Unfortunately, I don’t think that person is President Biden. Biden seems like a decent and competent man and I am relieved he is our president. But I feel he is not truly inspirational.

He makes wonderful speeches and delivers them well. They are intellectual well thought out logical addresses. I like them. However, it seems to me they lack the emotional approach and appeal that will sway minds not originally aligned with his.

Can anyone rise to fill that gap in time to save our country? Kamala Harris? Maybe. Pete Buttigieg? Maybe. Amy Klobuchar? Maybe.

Is there anyone else on the horizon?

I can only hope.

2 Comments

Idle Thoughts

We're Number One

The Olympics

What Might Have Been?

Author

Archives

Categories