To hell with Presidents' Day

When I went to school February. had two holidays, one for Washington’s Birthday and one for Lincoln’s.  Evidently the powers that be decided that two was too many, so we would have only one.  We wouldn’t call it Washington/Lincoln day, but call it Presidents’ Day.

Why?  Are we honoring Nixon?  Polk?  Jackson?  Trump?  What absolute bullshit.  Why would we have a day honoring all presidents?  If we are doing that, why not Congress?  Why not the Department of Agriculture?  I personally am going out tomorrow and raking up chestnut burrs.  I am putting in eight hours of work just to prove a point.  This is nothing to celebrate.

Strokes, depression, and Fetterman

My mother had a stroke.  After her stroke she went through a period of depression.  At the time I did not know that stroke victims often suffered from depression, and I was impatient with her.  I kept thinking, “Mother, you survived a stoke.  Why aren’t you happy?  Why aren’t you dancing with joy?”  I wish I had known then what I have learned since.

My advice about Fetterman is, “Have some patience with the man.”  The depression that follows strokes is treatable.  Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks before we panic and demand his resignation.  

Is the pandemic over?

The Republican House was thinking about declaring the Covid pandemic over.  Maybe they already did.  I know they plan on investigating Dr. Fauci.  

Unfortunately there is one group, and I’m in it, that is still dying.  In January 2100 Americans between the ages of 65 to 74 died from Covid.  More than 3,500 of the 75 to 84 year-olds died  (My cohort.)  Nearly 5000 died from Covid in the age group over 85.   Those three groups accounted for about 90% of the nation’s Covid deaths in January.

The Republicans are holding hearings on near misses at airports in the last few months.  In those near misses, nobody died.  

Info from Paula Span, “The Pandemic Rolls On For a Certain Group,” The New York Times, (Feb. 14, 2023).

Scolding Gov. Shapiro

Gov. Shapiro recently was seen at a courtside seat at a pro basketball game.  According the the newspaper reports, the ticket he received (from a lobbyist?) was very expensive.  Shapiro’s office said that Shapiro was holding a “political meeting.”  Here is the letter I am sending tomorrow:

Dear Governor Shapiro:

The basketball courtside ticket for a “political meeting” has damaged your reputation for integrity and honesty.  It was not a good way to begin your administration.  I am saying this as a supporter who worked very hard in the campaign in Carbon County, putting your literature at hundreds of homes in Summit Hill, Nesquehoning, and Jim Thorpe, and distributing literally hundreds of yard signs at homes around the county.

Please go back to the strict policy on gifts for Pennsylvania employees that Governor Wolf required.  I know some people thought those policies were somewhat over the top, but Wolf served for eight years without a scandal, something of a record in Pennsylvania.   

Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley announced that she is running for the Republican nomination for the Presidency in 2024.

They could do worse.

They have done worse.

They will do worse.

Netanyahu and Modi

A recent study of rightist dictators found that for a complete takeover of the country and the destruction of democracy, the would be “populist” strongmen needed two terms.  It would take them that long to undermine the legislature and the judicial system.  

Note that Trump in the U.S. and Bolsonaro in Brazil were defeated after one term.  Unfortunately Modi in India and Netanyahu in Israel were elected to second terms.  Both are working avidly to destroy democracy, scapegoat minorities, and end the independence of the judiciary. 

I have been an admirer of both Israel and India since I was a teenager.  No longer.  It makes me sad to see what is happening in both of those former democracies.

Time to pick up a petition

If you live in Pennsylvania and you would like to run for Township Supervisor or Borough Council member, petitions are available on Feb. 14 at your County Registrar’s Office, and you have until March 9 to get the signatures.  You only need ten for municipal offices.

If you think you aren’t qualified, you probably haven’t been to a borough council or supervisors’ meeting lately.  I’m fairly sure you are qualified.

The problem is not that too many people run, but that not enough run.  If you have some problem-solving abilities, common sense, and patience with your fellow citizens, run for office.  School boards especially are crying out for candidates who reasonable and put educating children above some ideological hobby horse.