The world is going to hell in a bushel basket

A far-right political party won the most votes in the former East German state of Saxony-Anhalt.  Why beat around the bush–a neo-Nazi party won the state election.

In Britain the racist party Reform UK is polling very well.  In Spain the far right Vox Party is doing well.  In France Marine LePen is riding high.  And in Serbia thousands of Serbs gathered to mourn the death of the war criminal and Bosnian Serb general known as the Butcher of Bosnia, responsible for thousands of deaths and convicted of genocide.

The American President is reinstalling racist statues that glorify the Confederacy and doing his best to rig the upcoming election.

Where do you even flee to in these times?

Rachel Cusk's new novel

Rachael Cusk has a new book out.  It’s entitled Life of M.  I will now give you advice.  Don’t buy it.  Don’t read it.  If you find a copy, burn it.  

I tried to read one of her books entitled The Outline.  Notice the word “tried.”  It was beyond boring.  The correct word is enervating.  Remember old telephone directories.  They had a better plot.  Did you ever try to read one of those “terms and conditions.”  Way more interesting.

Charlie Kirk and Dolly Parton

Do you want to know how far we have declined as a country?  The flag was  flown at half-mast for Charlie Kirk but not for Dolly Parton.  That tells you all you need to know.

We Try Harder

Avis was the second largest car rental agency in the 1960s; Hertz was first.  Avis came up with a a campaign that stressed its second place with the tag line that said, “We’re number 2, but we try harder.”  

In Carbon County, PA, the Democrats are definitely number 2.  There are literally thousands more registered Republicans, but for how long?  Two weeks ago the Democrats sponsored a booth at the Ukrainian Festival; the Republicans did not.  This week the Dems had a booth at the festival in Weissport; the Republicans did not.  At both of these festivals people came up and ordered signs, said how glad they were to see us, and expressed irritation with Republican policies.

We know we are number 2.  We are clawing our way back.  Look for us at future events.  Don’t be surprised if we are present for your wedding party or your bar mitzvah or your Quinceañera.  We really are trying harder.

Teaching Civics

The first time I heard that many schools were no longer teaching Civics, I was amazed.  I can’t remember detailed facts from my high school civics class, but I remember Mr. Gordos telling us how lucky we were to live in a town with a variety of ethnic groups and religions living in harmony.  

In college I was showing another student my high school yearbook.  My classmates included Carazo, Merluzzi, Nogueira, Sarik, Krawchuk, Bobita, Kinek, Constenbader, and Muniz.  He said, “Didn’t you have any Americans in your class?”  I just stared at him.

The Times today had a conversation between Frank Bruni and Bret Stephens.  Stephens said that while the world would obviously be a better place when Trump was no longer president, he thought our problems are so much deeper than that one man and his administration.

He added, “My view is that everything started going wrong when we abandoned the cause of teaching civics.”

Do schools even discuss personal responsibility, caring about the community, service, self-reliance, participation in self-government?  I am not talking about mumbling the Pledge of Allegiance before meetings or standing for the National Anthem.  I’m talking about citizenship, about the kind of patriotism that we saw in Minneapolis during the ICE raids.  Perhaps they are still learning that kind of citizenship in Minnesota.  I’m not so sure about the rest of the country. 

God Wasted a Huge Opportunity

The poet Katha Pollitt has noted that God wasted a huge moral opportunity with the ten commandments.  She wrote:  “How different history would have been had he clearly and unmistakably forbidden war, tyranny, taking over other people’s countries, slavery, exploitation of workers, cruelty to children, wife-beatings, stoning, treating women–or anyone–as chattel or inferior beings.”

Instead we get one about honoring the Sabbath and another about not coveting your neighbor’s wife’s ass.  I’m a little shaky on that last one; I think that’s what it says.  In any case, Pollitt has a point.

Causes for failure in battles–A review

On Jan. 9 of this year I posted a list of reasons for failures in battle.  The list was from a course by Dr. Gregory S. Aldrete I was listening to.  Given what has happened in Trump’s war with Iran, I think it is time for a review.  It is amazing how well this list explains the on-going failure in American policy.  This is textbook.

1.  Failures in planning.  Includes failure to define objective and failure to pay attention to intelligence and the strengths of the enemy.

2.  Failures in leadership.  Includes incompetence, working above one’s ability, and inability to work with other leaders.

3.  Failures in execution.  Includes such problems as splitting one’s forces, moving too early or too late, and not knowing when to cut one’s losses.  Reinforcing failure is a common theme.

4.  Failures to adapt.  Change occurs, and a leader must be ready to adjust to meet those changes.

check, check, check, check.

This war will be a subject for study in military colleges for decades.  I doubt there are many times that all four factors come into play at once, but here we are.

Hannah Arendt on public lying

In Hannah Arendt’s last known interview, recorded for French television in 1973, she spoke about the problem of governments lying.  Here is what she said:

     If everyone always lies to you, the consequence is not that you believe the lies, but that no one believes anything at all anymore–and rightly so, because lies, by their very nature, have to be changed, to be “re-lied,” so to speak.  So a lying government which pursues different goals at different times has constantly to rewrite its own history. That means that the people are deprived not only of their capacity to act, but also their capacity to think and to judge.  And with such a people you can then do what you please.  

Have we reached the point where no one believes anything at all anymore?    Think about it.

Neocolonialism in Venezuela

Obviously Karl Marx got it wrong.  He predicted that workers in industrialized countries would be ever more exploited and impoverished.  Finally they would revolt and take over the “means of production,” ushering in a fair and equitable economic system.  Unfortunately for Marxist thought but fortunately for the workers, the lives of most workers gradually improved.  

How to explain this??  V.I. Lenin said the reason the lives of workers improved was because of colonialism.  Counties like Britain, France, and the U.S. exploited their colonial possessions.  The populations of the developed counties benefited from owning the Third World.  Once Africa, Asia, and Latin America asserted their power, Lenin thought, international capitalism would be destroyed.

Didn’t happen.  

Marxists then came up with the theory of “neo-colonialism.”  Why “own” a colony with all the expense and military activity that accompanied colonial possessions when you could simply exploit the “Third World” with economic controls?  If you can import the raw materials (copper, oil, rare earth, human labor) and sell finished products, capitalism can charge ahead.

What the Trump administration is doing in Venezuela would seem to fit the term “neo-colonialism.”  We extract the oil, and a client Venezuelan government goes along with the scheme.  The average American benefits from cheap petroleum imports, the company procuring the petroleum makes money, and the average Venezuelan citizen gets some table scraps.

I predict Cuba will be next. 

Now You Know

This evening our daughter told us about a tee shirt she is ordering.  The message is this:  “If you’ve ever wondered what you would have done in 1930s Germany, you’re doing it right now.”

Dolly Parton, A.I., and Lake America

A five-day road trip to Indianapolis in late August was just what I needed, but the earth continued to rotate and events continued to unfold. 

First, Dolly Parton died.  In 2019 the New York Times ran a story about one thing we all could agree on:  Everyone loved Dolly Parton.  One of the obits talked about an audience with rednecks in trucker hats with confederate flags interspersed with urban libs, and every body singing along with “I Will Always Love You.”  Cynical as I am, I can’t think of one bad thing about Dolly Parton.  Ok, maybe the “Coat of Many Colors.”

Second, Bill Gates warned that A.I. not only threatens jobs but also the future of humanity.  Bill Gates said this.  Is anyone listening?  Is there money to be made?  If yes then no one is listening.

Third, Trump has renamed Lake Ontario.  It is now Lake America.  I fear we will get this mixed up with the Gulf of America.  I also am bothered that one of the Great Lakes is Superior to Lake America.  Perhaps it could be named Lake Inferior.  Since we already have an American River in California, I don’t think Trump will rename any rivers, but the Great Dismal Swamp would definitely attract more tourists if it were called the Great American Swamp.  Perhaps I’ll write a letter.

Our local boroughs, Iran, and ICE

According to an Associated Press report published in the Times-News, in 1925 (before Trump’s on-going war with Iran), ICE and Iran had a working relationship.  ICE returned a number of Iranian deportees to Iran.  I think you know the kind of Iranians who would try to get out of Iran.  I think you also know what probably happened to the people who were returned.  More than 100 Iranians were flown back in three separate flights in September and December 2025 and January 2026.  Iranian officials helped with the arrangements.

The emails that contained this information were obtained by the National Iranian American Council.  

So, you local borough council members who are signing cooperative agreements to work with ICE, consider the company you are keeping.  I know you get bribes for cooperating, but you are completely eroding trust in your local police officers and joining forces with some of the most evil people on the planet.  

Info for this post is from “Emails show ICE and Iran Cooperation,” Times News, (Aug. 20, 2026), p. 7.

NOTE:  I'm off to Indianapolis tomorrow.  On the road.  (I love saying that.)  If all goes well, I should be posting again on Saturday evening.

Bread and circuses

According to Wikipedia, the phrase is attributed to the Roman poet Juvenal, who said that the Roman emperors provided free wheat to the citizens and also gave them entertainment to take their minds off real problems.

Trump, who obviously identifies with Roman emperors, is doing quite well with the circuses.  There was that cage fighting on the White House lawn, big rallies, the military parade, and now a car race though downtown Washington.  I appreciate the effort that Trump is putting into the circus aspect.

Where’s the bread?

30% approval rating

That’s where Trump is hovering today, according to MSNOW.  One of the commentators noted what a terrible showing this was.

No, it isn’t.  Think about the things Trump has done and not done.  I was about to do a laundry list but why bother.  Every reader can make up his or her own list.  You know what he has done and failed to do.  You know he is destroying our country.

Tomorrow, when you are at the grocery store or walking in the park or anywhere people gather, make a note of the first ten people you encounter.  Admittedly it won’t be a random sample, but just think:  in this country with all that has happened in the last two years, three of those ten people could still approve of Trump and the job he is doing.  It is enough to make one lose faith in democracy. 

Something more important than China seizing Taiwan

At a candidates’ debate on Tuesday Darline Graham, Lindsay’s sister and current U.S. Senator, was asked a question about the importance of Taiwan.  She said she was “not that informed on national security.”

When people questioned whether she should be in the Senate with an admission like that, she said “Of course Taiwan is our friend, but I think people in South Carolina are more worried about boys in girls’ sports.”

Boys in girls’ sports certainly keeps me up at night.

But here is the sad thing.  She’s probably right.

Testimony at the D.E.P. hearing this evening

 First, an explanation (and apology).

 Ever since I heard that the first thing some of my readers do in the morning before they eat breakfast is to read my posts, I feel really bad when I miss an evening.  Last night I came home from a political meeting feeling really lousy.  I took my temperature; it was 102 degrees.  I felt completely exhausted and went straight to bed and slept until noon today.  I still have a fever, but it is only around 100 degrees.  Tomorrow I go in at 9:00 to find out what I have.  I'm thinking Lyme disease.  

And while I am on the topic of missing posts, I am driving to Indianapolis on Tuesday to see the Art Museum and the Indian Museum and won't be back until next Saturday if all goes well and I am not in the ICU.  I will not post from the trip.

Now, about the testimony.  A company plans to build a data center (four buildings) upstream from the town of Nesquehoning.  The PA Dept. of Environmental Protection held a question period for the developers followed by a comment period.  My comment follows.  Most of the comments were very technical; mine was more philosophical because I don't know the technical aspects.  Or, if you are cruel, you might call it B.S.

Perhaps developers use the term “artificial” intelligence to indicate that it is not authentic intelligence.

Anyone with real intelligence knows that the massive amounts of power necessary to operate data centers will accelerate global climate change and raise the cost of electricity for the rest of us.

Anyone with real intelligence will understand that data centers will impact huge tracts of land, often in areas of sensitive environmental concern.

Anyone with real intelligence realizes that in an era of increased drought (much of Eastern Pennsylvania is already in a drought watch; Lake Mead is reaching its lowest levels ever), the increased necessity for water to operate data centers is worsening a global disaster.

Anyone with real intelligence will question why an industry that promises tremendous benefits for the economy continues to advocate for tax breaks.

Anyone with real intelligence understands that the frequent touting of increased job opportunities flies in the face of layoffs and unemployment already resulting from the use of artificial intelligence.

New technological developments often bring unanticipated economic and social changes.  While these changes may be beneficial (I can drive to town without saddling my horse), they often have undesirable aspects as well (my car is powered by petroleum products).  It may take years, even decades, to determine whether a new technology does more harm than good.  (Think drones, or social media, or atomic weapons.)

This is not an argument against technological development or innovation.  I am making an argument for “deliberate speed,” for careful study, for thoughtful regulation, and for assurance that what we are doing won’t harm the natural world and will benefit our communities.  Until then we need a moratorium on data center development.

I am also fully aware that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection can’t sit around debating philosophical questions on technological development or impose a state-wide moratorium or determine tax policy.  It can, however, take steps to ensure that our streams are not polluted, our air is clean, we are not subjected to unwanted noise, our aquifers are protected, and our wetlands are not destroyed.  Those are things D.E.P. can and should do.

France can do it–why can't we?

Last week a French law prohibiting unsolicited cold calls by businesses took effect.  I probably get ten of these calls a day, often four of five from the same scam artists.  Lately I’ve been getting solicited for an auto accident I might have been in that I can get money for.  

I do have a bit of fun.  First you get a robot, always female, who then switches you over to a “claims specialist.”  If I’m not too busy I see how long I can keep the scam artist on the line.  I also tell the scam artist outlandish things, like “I did have an accident, but it wasn’t my fault because I was drunk,” or “I only killed two pedestrians.”  Click.

Nonetheless, these calls are annoying.  Why can the French legislature act when our Congress can’t even publish the Epstein files?

We own Big Bend National Park

The closest I ever got to Big Bend was Fort Stockton on I-10, but this evening when I saw the film of the earth-moving equipment and the bulldozer uprooting trees in the Park, I felt so sad.  I heard that something like one percent of the people illegally crossing into the U.S. enter at Big Bend.  There is no reason to put a wall there other than to show that you can do it.

Like the White House and the Smithsonian, Big Bend National Park is owned by all of us, not some buffoon in the White House.  We–Congress, Texas politicians the population at large– really need to stop this madness.  And that is what it is.

 

The Timing of Medicare cuts

The Great Leader and the Republicans in Congress have cut subsidies for the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces.  So far this year approximately 3 million people have lost their medical insurance.

But wait.  The Republican Congress also enacted cuts in Medicaid.  Guess when those cuts take effect.  After the November midterms.  

Those wily Republicans.  Clever little buggers.

Working the Ukrainian Festival

Each year the Democratic Party has a booth at the Ukrainian Festival in Carbon County.  We give away small Ukrainian flags and plastic bracelets, have candidate literature available, collect money for a Ukrainian charity that helps bombing victims, and display four large posters with quotations by Trump and Vance praising Putin and criticizing Zelenskyy.

It is wonderful to bask in the warmth of the support of hundreds of people.  In the entire afternoon we had two negative passersby, including a MAGA supporter who claimed the Democratic Party was filled with Communists.  Everyone else gave us thumbs up, snapped pictures of the posters, took flags, and engaged in friendly discussions.  It was a great day.

The Republican Party did not have a booth.

Dayton, Ohio

“Would you like to come over for tea with the missus and me?  It’s a real nice way to spend the day in Dayton, Ohio, on a lazy Sunday afternoon in 1903.”

That’s from a wonderful Randy Newman song which you can hear on YouTube.  Dayton must still be a nice place.  It has immigrants from over 100 countries, including India, China, Vietnam, Haiti, and Rwanda.  

The City Council decided to remove all Flock cameras.  It was afraid ICE would use the data to harass immigrants.  I’ve never been to Dayton, but it sounds like my kind of town.

Rival conceptions of nationhood in the West

In an article entitled “Continental Drift” in the Aug. 17 issue of the New Yorker, Ian Buruma writes:

Since the nineteenth century, the Western world has been divided between two rival conceptions of nationhood:  the nation as a community of blood and faith, and the nation as a democratic state of citizens of equal rights.

That is one of the best summaries of the difference between the Republicans and the Democrats of today.  Listen to any speech by Trump or Hegseth or Vance, and you will hear the former.  Listen to any speech by any Democratic Senate candidate, and you will hear the latter.  

As the old labor song said, “Which side are you on, boys, which side are you on?”