Author: plinyblogcom

The term, “immigration,” plainly and simply refers to the nation’s intake of other countries’ nationals   who desire to live in the United States.  The overwhelming majority of such immigrants come in quest of a better life for themselves and their families; others come here as “refugees,” fleeing danger. Their applications for a better life, or for safety to America, are, in historic reality, made to a nation, entirely populated by (earlier) immigrants and their present descendants. It strains reason to contemplate the mindset of those who vigorously oppose the admission of new applicants for admission, who, as they or their forbears did in the past, yearn for a better life in the United States. How soon they forget!

The heated fervor concerning a procedure which is sanctioned by law and the U.S. Constitution, has notoriously and unfortunately, led to a sharp divide, between the proponents  of immigration and those who oppose it [often on spurious grounds of international security, keeping out competitive cheap,  labor, and crime prevention]. Such opposition has exacerbated to an extremity which recently featured, no less than detention and imprisonment of immigrants, security cages and a reprise of the Nazi-Fascist style practice  of separating families; most egregiously, young children from their parents.

We fail to see any legitimate grounds for making traditional immigration difficult, nor in branding  applicants for admission with negative or undesirable references; essentially, “illegal immigrants” are   simply (legal) immigrants, but without the required paperwork. We have stated a preference for the adjectival reference, “undocumented” rather than” illegal”, since the latter term is clearly defamatory, in its suggestion of criminal behavior. Further, we regard the current wave of avowed ethnocentric concern and repressive behavior, as nothing short of atavistic bigotry.

The purported fear that newcomers to our country would demonstrate a willingness to work for low wages and threaten U.S. jobs, is without any redeeming merit; this was the very same false propaganda utilized in past periods of populist opposition in reference to Irish and Chinese immigration. The average applicant from Mexico and Central America will not pose a serious threat to jobs in Silicon Valley; moreover, numerous studies indicate a present shortage of labor, in low tech employment, i.e., agricultural, food processing, service and construction work, to cite some examples.

Opponents of liberal immigration seem to uniformly portray immigrants as needy people who will sap the treasury (and ultimately taxpayer financial resources) or, potentially, be a drag on society, with little potential to add positive value to the nation. These clueless opponents may simply be unaware  of the plethora of additions to the standing and wealth of our nation,  by persons who emigrated to the U.S. from elsewhere; in science, medicine, the arts and literature, in the digital field, and especially (most visible to the average American) the culinary scene. The acquisition of valuable cultural benefits from immigration in areas such as art, sculpture, philosophy, science,  literature, design, technology and the performing arts, are far too numerous to adequately specify. These, among other benefits, imported along with the immigrant, soon become fixed and regular features of our society, as if they were created here. They constitute profits, bonuses or dividends from wise investment in immigration.

We observed a lecture on public television which featured an apparently well recognized food historian, who stated that the cuisine in the U.S. was extremely dull and uninteresting (evidently, the English cuisine of the day) until the periods of major immigration of people from the Mediterranean parts of the globe; thereafter, an entirely new, and desirable cuisine was brought to these shores, featuring salads, olive oil, seafood, cheese and other tasteful and healthy food choices. Admission of immigrants from the Asian part of the globe gave rise to a popular demand for the various cuisines of China, of Shanghai, of Japan, India, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Thailand. We happily frequent Greek Italian, Middle Eastern and other restaurants, featuring food of those nations with which most Americans have enjoyably became familiar. Many of these “ethnic” foods are sold at retail stores, or made at home, such as baba ganouche, humus, pizza and guacamole.

In an early post on cuisine, we suggested that it would be desirable U.S. immigration policy, to admit all who desire to settle peaceably in the U.S., provided that they brought with them a national recipe book or, alternatively, a grandmother, who was willing to (sorry) spill the beans as to the preparation of her national cuisine.

It is not as easy to fully comment on the enormous contributions of immigrants to our nation, in the areas of science and medicine, art and ethnic history, mathematics and physics, digital science, music and entertainment, literature, philosophy, architecture, poetry and music, technology and engineering, history and sociology and countless more valuable gifts. Our national pantry is bulging with immensely valuable contents; but there is still plenty of room for refreshment and further replenishment.

In addition to evincing appropriate empathy and compassion for their difficult past, we should look upon immigrants as a fertile source of America’s growth and continued advancement.

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Students of history, professional or amateur, would probably agree that the flow of mankind’s history may reasonably be illustrated by a metaphoric reference to a carousel, whose fixed course of travel is inexorable and unsurprising. Stated in theatrical terms, history, if one discounts differences in the specific venue of the presentation, and identity of cast members, portrayals of major historic events, would be similar, if not identical. We have stated in a somewhat related post, “Today is Yesterday Again,” despite differences in context, the repetitive nature of human events is predictably certain.

The rondo of historic events, as comprehended  by  societal observation,  has often been  expressed in such well- known phrases as, “There is  nothing new under the sun,” “History repeats itself,” “What goes around, comes around” “Plus ca change, plus ca meme chose” and, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.”

History’s wheel has mechanically delivered in turn, famine and plenty, conflict and reconciliation, war and peace, scientific advance and its opposition by superstition and religion, plague and recovery, bigotry and tolerance, periods of xenophobia as well as true brotherhood. In so many cases, one witnessed specific victims of bigotry and oppression at long last, granted justice and a measure of relief, only to observe another group or ethnicity then become the victims du jour. The carousel has rotated through hardship and relief, grievous troubles and joyful peace, respecting all mankind, at various times in history; the victors or victims may change, but the events, good and bad, are unmistakably replicated.

We would respectfully suggest that the eternally repetitive nature of man’s history, (other than his experience of natural phenomena over which he has no control) is causally attributable to the repetitive nature of his own natural persona, or inclinations, for good or bad, as discussed below.

We have attributed the main and fundamental cause of war to man’s thoughtless and repetitively selected, lessons of “we” and “they,” introduced to the child in early years. The taught disparate distinction soon leads to fantasy and myth-making concerning the “they” and, by degrees, ultimately, to hatred and warfare. The most instructive example is the cruel and tragic warfare engaged in between the Sunni and Shia Moslems. While there are far too many insane wars fought over differences of religious belief, this shameful and seemingly eternal war has persisted between members of the Islamic faith, against other members of that faith. This is the clearest and most probative example of the danger of early, [albeit well intentioned] lessons of “we” and “they,” which man persists in teaching his offspring. The basis of this conflict, is an ancient dispute in the Islamic community,  [ 7^th century] as to whether the Prophet Mohammad should properly be succeeded by a blood relative (as in England), or democratically elected by the faithful. One group of disputants was the Shia, the other the Sunni. There can be no rational argument rationally proffered, that such 7^th century issue is the [current] cause of the existing, all-out murderous war.  The cause, undoubtedly, resides in the early teachings of, [apparently, non- eradicable] lessons in “we” and “they.” There seems to be an enduring feature of man’s persona that persists in being tribal and xenophobic.  This feature has a prominent (negative) presence on the history carousel.

The neurotic side of man’s persona, also underlies tragedies arising from feelings of unrequited love, from avarice, inadequacy, excessive zeal and competitiveness, fear of change, including advancements in knowledge, the universal fear of mortality and search for solace in non-empirical sources, viz., religious or otherwise, loneliness and detachment, the need for recognition and belonging, desire for revenge, general insecurity and so many others. These constitute many of the underlying causes for tragic  failure and negative events we see played out inexorably, on the carousel of history. Positive features by contrast, would include: mature awareness and sensitivity, wisdom, intellectual prowess and achievement, honesty, successful social interaction, generosity, empathy and capacity for love.

These positive sides of man’s persona can be conversely, credited with positive results, such as, scientific achievements in medicine and health, cobbling together of complex  peace agreements, expressions of empathy and charity, artistic achievements in literature and the arts, advancements in the care and understanding of our ecology, as well as the nature of the planetary environment, the discovery of the functions of the brain, as well as psychiatry and mental illness, and  man’s kindness and nurturance of each other and of all species of terrestrial life.

We concede therefore, that the recognition of the “carousel” of man’s reoccurring history is instructive and useful, especially for predictability and weighing options that life seems to present.

However, for true “understanding” {as compared with mere predictability) of the life of man, past and present, we have always recommended the reading of great literature.  Great novels by outstanding authors, artistically and instructively, depict and examine mankind in the totality of such eternal life situations.  Great books are designated as such, because they depict the impact of man’s nuanced choices of action in his response to the eternal, rotating carousel of life experience.  More than merely observing the carousel’s (history’s) results, good literature furnishes context and useful perspective to life’s eternally  recurring events; and may well have the potential to be productive of that most rare and precious human commodity, wisdom.

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Most Americans, certainly, those who have reared children in the last 50 years, are familiar with the name, Fred Rogers, and his excellent children’s television program, “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” With  the assistance of a couple of small puppets and an occasional visitor, like the “Postman,” Rogers, in a loving and nurturing  voice, not only taught children lessons in social interaction with each other, but, in his inimitable way, actually delivered important life lessons to his young audience. Besides, gently and subtly teaching self-esteem, independence, patience, optimism as well as appropriate interaction, he introduced them to the existence of an inner life. He had the instructive talent to teach the very young that confidence, self –respect, self- identity, sense of worth and personal value have their intrinsic existence, inside the person of the child (internally). Would that many adults, at long last, learn this fundamental and unassailable truth.

Fred Rogers wrote his own songs, one of which deserves special mention, because of its relevant message and its poignancy, titled “It’s You I Like.” We had an emotional reaction to seeing and hearing the replay of a video in which Rogers and a pitifully handicapped young boy, both sang it. A sample of some of the instructive and sensitive lyrics is as follows: “It’s you I like,” ”It’s not the things you wear” ”It’s not how you do your hair” “It’s not the way you look” “But it’s you I like” “The way you are right now” “It’s the way deep inside of you.”  The experience, under the unique circumstances, was emotional, but nonetheless, eternally true.

The theme imbedded in the greater number of our blogposts, regardless of the subject selected, is identically the same; one’s feelings of identity, worth, moral architecture, self-fulfillment (happiness, success) are all internal, or as Rogers would put it, “inside.” True “success”, for example, has been proven, time and again, not to be based upon external evidence, viz., not dependent upon material accumulation but an internal sense of self fulfillment.

The other day we were, as usual, pleasantly reading in the park, under the cool shade of a tree.  Nearby,  oblivious of her surroundings, was a young woman, engaged in the concentrated activity of changing poses, while holding a smart-phone at arm’s length, with, what I understand is called, a “selfie stick,”  clicking away. It is my understanding of such performances, that she was earnestly searching for a photo with which she would be satisfied; in other words, one closely conforming to her current fantasy about herself. It felt more sad than humorous. How many selfies will she have to take to satisfy her fantasy du jour. When will she, at last, find a shot that she deems acceptable (after deleting all the rest); will that photo really be the true “her”?

None of the “selfies” will be “you.” Any studious toddler-pupil of Mr. Rogers can tell you; you are inside. There is, obviously, nothing to criticize about the general activity of taking photos, selfies or not, for the fun of creating and saving familiar images as mementos. However, it should always be understood that it is the persona and internal self-image that describes you to yourself, and others, and not an ephemeral electronic image. If Mr. Rogers were still alive, and that young woman in the park was five years old, Fred would gently tell her that who and what you are, are “inside.”

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We have been dismayed and frustrated by the recent downgrading of the traditional American values, and by the consequential damage to the marvelous system of republican democracy, authored by our brilliant and prophetic Founding Fathers. We have previously written on the subject of our sitting president who, by reason of his ignorance and outrageous behavior, has embarrassed literate citizens, and has thoroughly confused the international scene; the latter, by making friends with our sworn enemies, and enemies of our loyal allies and old friends. His despicable behavior in the realm of sexual abuse, bigotry, or destruction of programs of welfare for our needy and disabled citizenry, constitutes an all-consuming, three-ring circus for the media; which has unwisely reported on little else. In a prior post, we warned against this preoccupying diversion, which seems to be attracting the totality of universal interest, thus enabling tactical, hard-hearted conservatives, by stealth and without public notice and outcry, to steal away citizen civil rights and delimit laws granting empathic assistance to the needy. We recommended active awareness of this tactical diversion

Unremitting frustration and anxiety, responsive to this constantly enfolding disaster, has motivated us when possible, to seek temporary relief. We have successfully sought refuge in the environment of the Connecticut woodlands, where we regularly have enjoyed  gardening and communing with nature.

There is a large population of chipmunks living on our property. These tiny denizens of the forest, relatives of the squirrel, have small, furry tails, shiny brown coats with attractive stripes running along the length of their backs, small heads with alert eyes and cheeks which expand, and are regularly employed  [akin to mini shopping bags] in storing prodigious quantities of food, such as nuts and acorns, for transport back to their respective abodes.

We attribute the significant chipmunk population on the property to the existence of a large accommodating rock garden [actually boulder garden) in close proximity to the country house. These boulders are the undisturbed remains of an excavation job years ago to enlarge the house. The boulders slope downward to the lower level of the property.  In addition to its utility as a large rock garden, in which selected plants, where possible, (spaces, inserted plant soil) are grown, we have been fortunate to have a communal society of these lovable denizens of the forest, living in the interstices of the boulders  as friendly neighbors.  These residential accommodations seem to be available to all bona fide chipmunks; most importantly the stone living spaces provide safety from predators. A great many chipmunk families live securely and happily in this boulder garden; which, in view of its shared residential use, we refer to as the “Condominium.” In recent years, we have noted the arrival and settlement in the Condominium, of a slightly different variety of chipmunks. These have reddish fur on their backside, in contrast to the older residents, which have brown and grey backside fur.

Because of our longtime occupation of the property, and familiarity, the little rascals seem to be unafraid, indeed, friendly to us, and we have had the opportunity to study their society and their entertaining interactions. We have observed them under our bird feeder, eating the fallen birdseed and stuffing their hugely expandable cheeks with abundances of uneaten food (“doggie bags?”) to transport home. We have seen them at play, competitively racing one after the other or running in circles of two or three, playfully tumbling and rolling over, and in participation in certain chirping game which we do not comprehend. We have been able to observe chipmunk society and the many aspects of their life, including, most relevantly, their interaction with other members of their furry society.  In these days of   frustration with the observed interactions between human beings, chipmunk life seems admirable, perhaps instructive. For practical reasons, we have summarized and listed many of them for easy, perhaps affirmative review:

• The recent immigration of the red back chipmunks, children and adults, occurred peacefully and without any especial reaction from the traditional (brown back) residents; not even one “cheep” of resistance was heard. Moreover, both varieties continue to interact naturally and happily.
• After chipmunks have eaten, they usually fill their expandable cheeks with food to, generously and responsibly, bring home sustenance for others, as well themselves.
• In feeding or rough-housing, there appears to be no dominant party, no discernable “pecking order” which we understand to signify that all chipmunks are, truly born equal.
• (3) Indicates that there is no chipmunk politics or need for political parties.
• Chipmunks are united in communal joint defense; they are each look-out for the entire community, and will chirp an understood warning when a predator is in the vicinity.
• Chipmunks are peaceful and sociable to each other; we have never overheard squabbles.
• Chipmunk housing and residential accommodations are equal and unbiased.
• All chipmunks live equally; there are no privileges, economic or life-style differences.

It takes only a momentary consideration of the above, to truly wish that the past election saw a chipmunk elevated to the Oval Office, instead of an Orangutan.

* Sincere apologies to John Steinbeck

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We have all too often, observed an unjust and lamentable human trait such that, upon being confronted with major problems, or general disappointment, one conveniently casts blame upon some purported cause (usually, blameless people), as a chosen alternative to engagement in a rational, admittedly more taxing, search for the true cause of the problem.

The so-called “Immigration Problem,” seems to perplex and distract a great many in the U.S. and the E.U., on an inconceivable level, bordering on the irrational. Yet, any cursory review of the subject will reveal that immigration to the U.S. and Europe (with the possible exception of Syrian refugees to Europe), in stark contrast to the bombastic assertions of anti-immigration demagogues, has significantly declined. We are firmly convinced that the so called “immigration problem” has been intentionally overblown and exaggerated, and done so for tactical political reasons.

We have previously commented on certain fellow Americans, descendants of immigrants, who, only a few generations after their forbears had settled in, take a restrictive posture regarding immigration; how soon they forget.  The present writing, however, concerns a particular, tactical use of “immigration” which is patently immoral and unconscionable.

Politicians, especially those inclining rightward, have intentionally created false and unattractive images  of these oppressed and unfortunate  people, and have ginned up citizens (especially, the reductionist-low information, population) with false, frightening propaganda, concerning their purported criminal and anti-social inclinations. Add to such perverse tactics, the perpetual hobby horse of xenophobia, and one category of anti-immigration is predictable.

Manufactured enmity against these unfortunate, hapless people, is of significant utility to shrewd political leaders, as the attributed cause of extant societal ills, from unemployment, crime, economic disparity, or whatever the problems du jour may be; their false and tactical depiction and use as scapegoats, exonerates the incompetent leader, and results in a diversion of the blame.[ In Medieval days, it was witches or “heathens” who were blameworthy sources]. It is particularly disconcerting to realize that the current President of the United States, a nation populated (100%) with descendants of immigrants, and recent immigrants, is among the leading purveyors of such low and defamatory drivel.

For example,  less than desirable employment statistics, whether due to the state of the national economy, changes in demand, robotics, digitalization, automation,  or other cause, is conveniently, and falsely, attributed to immigrants ( they work for cheap wages, do not demand benefits, and so on ad nauseum.) In truth, the poorly educated immigrant, from Mexico or Central America, poses no threat to jobs in Silicon Valley or any other highly trained technical positions. Moreover, we are advised that there is a current need for basic labor in our nation, most especially in agriculture, but also in building trades, service positions, food processing, manufacturing as well as elsewhere.

What is sorely needed is a rational system of determination as to which immigrants are fleeing for their lives, and which are seeking entry for a better life for themselves and family. Those fleeing for their lives ought to be admitted, without delay, on legal and compassionate grounds. Those who, electively, come here for a better life, should be interviewed, classified by trade or skill, and encouraged to settle where such skill or trade is needed. We should bear in mind that the search for a better life, has historically been a distinctly American aspiration.

Incompetent leaders and poor economic conditions each have their own discoverable etiology; blaming scapegoats is an admission of hapless incompetency, and is shamefully immoral.

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Recently, for nostalgic reasons, we watched a classic movie, an old fashioned western. As expected, a formulaic scenario and cast were employed; a tall, square-jawed, taciturn Sheriff, his girlfriend, a reformed “dancer,” a comic sidekick with a name like “sagebrush” or something similar, four unshaven bad guys, all interacting in the local saloon, owned by the enterprising girlfriend.  The Sheriff, of course, wore a large, immaculate, white cowboy hat, the unshaven, bad guys, dirty black ones.

The stereotypic plot, involved a bank robbery, which was engineered by the unshaven bad guys in the dirty black hats, with the aid of a tactical diversion; a fire set by them in a nearby wooden building. The fire, as nefariously planned, drew all attention away from the scene of the crime. This unremarkable movie is a useful and illustrative metaphor for the present writing.

The Founders of our nation, taking lessons from the painful and unjust history of central Europe, set out to create an innovative nation, a democratic republic where there were no class distinctions based upon fortuitous birth; where the government was to be selected by the people and was expressive of their will. In order to avoid autocracy, they designed three separate, co-equal branches, executive, legislative and judicial, each with the right of limiting any excesses of the other (“checks and balances”) and established a legally defined relationship between State and Federal Governments. The basic rights of citizens, such as speech, assembly, belief, and the other concomitants of liberty were protected from government interference. As time went on, following great national struggle, such unassailable liberties were extended to black Americans and women, who were not within the societal contemplation in the 18^th Century.

Following a devastating depression and two world wars, the F.D.R. Administration was given to realize that relegating citizens to the vicissitudes of natural law, was unnecessarily cruel. The presidential administration articulated a new responsibility on the part of government to assist the needy citizen. Social Security, programs of unemployment insurance and other federal assistance were established. In keeping with this new undertaken responsibility, programs of practical assistance in areas of citizen need developed, including, food, education, health and assistance to the elderly and disabled. America, at long last, empathically assumed and attained the stage of morality of compassionate capitalism. As time progressed, promulgation and enforcement of regulations and were created, federal and local, to protect the health and safety of the American people.

Scientific and medical research priorities resulted in prolonged and better lives and major societal improvement, while academic research programs increased our knowledge of ourselves and our world. Advances in areas of biology, chemistry, physics, meteorological science and other areas of achievement made for a more advanced rational and knowledgeable society.

It needs mention that the above established rights and acquired knowledge were the result of hard work, great personal effort and true sacrifice. The above, abbreviated, selected and cursory review of   advances and accomplishments, especially in the area  human rights and empathic assistance, should not suggest that they were easy of accomplishment; rather they involved great dedication and sacrifice, often in the face of significant political, conservative and religious opposition.  These developments, in human rights and knowledge, resulted in the deserved development of admiration and worldwide respect for our nation. We were well engaged in the process of steady improvement and slow, but admirable, progress toward the realization of the American dream, when we were abruptly detoured, shocked and dismayed by the election of the cheap demagogue and faux populist, Donald Trump.

Mr. Trump is certifiably known to be an ignorant, egotistical, neurotically adolescent personality, whose mere claim to fame is that of a glitzy, oily television game show host. He and his installed entourage (we cannot exalt them by referring to them as his “cabinet”) from the very start, have embarrassed the country with their and his lack of knowledge, his inconsistent statements, his regular mendacity and direct attack on truth itself, his attack on the leading media, his admissions of sexual abuse (in an age when such abuse is reported to be especially flagrant) his utterance of bigoted statements, his reviling of nationally respected people. He had promised his voters that he would “drain the swamp” (of political influence and self-interested entrepreneurs) but instead, turned the White House into a bayou of alligators, selfish, corrupt politicians. He is responsible for a draconian immigration policy, in which babies and young children are torn from their mothers, is responsible for unjust tax legislation, has used his office for personal profit, and so many other immoral and illegal acts, which we cannot as a practical matter, hope to list in a modest blog post. Internationally, he has befriended our enemies and made enemies of our friends, including NATO; he has withdrawn from climate accords and has joined the sociopathic profiteers and the low information, reductionist citizens who oppose the findings of the world’s leading climate scientists—but stop—we cannot go on further, and must state our point, or, indeed, risk  being guilty of the very concern which prompted this writing.

The frustration, certainly is not in the practical inability to list all of Trump’s shameful acts, but to realize  the following. Remember the described action of the western movie. The tactical diversion in the film was an intentionally lit fire. Trump’s outrageous behavior and depiction, appears on every television screen, in every newspaper and radio program; like the diverting fire in the western movie, it has stolen away everyone’s attention, and thus permitted the republican conservatives to stealthily eliminate citizen rights and needed assistance; tactically unobserved by reason of the all-consuming, three ring circus of distraction by our magnificent leader. [They must have  seen the same old cowboy movie.]

For the democrats to succeed in taking back the White House and Congress, they are obliged to develop an affirmative, positive platform of their own, and present liberal and attractive candidates who earnestly and clearly represent the interests of low and middle class Americans. It must replicate, vigorously, the progressive – liberal platform that has typified the modern Democratic Party. Importantly, and strategically, they must direct their energies to their own positive message, and resist the tempting and tactical allure of the Orange Diversion.

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We have reconsidered the phenomenon of the (so called) “Right to Life” movement and have ultimately come to realize that its existence and function has little to do with its publically avowed purpose, the protection of the fetus, by restriction of the mother’s right to an abortion.

The organization, vehemently, to use Shakespeare’s judgmental words,” protests too much,” in its display of militancy in the protection of the “life” of the fetus, from its mother, who may possess a legitimate need for an abortion. Such vehement militancy completely disappears from sight, and their army retires from the field of battle, upon the birth of the child. Remarkably, and revealingly, they resolutely and adamantly oppose all government support for needy children, including, food, health and educative relief. As far as they are concerned (or not concerned) following his birth, the child can live or die, depending upon his circumstances, without their interest or intercession. This is hardly consistent with a rationally professed reverence for life, in this instance, the life of young children.

Devotees of the right to life mantra, have actually committed premeditated and deliberate homicide of abortion providers; the professed rationalization being, that they were preventing the destruction of life (fetuses). These acts of intentional murder are, in no way, a rational affirmation of life’s sanctity.

It has been observed that most, if not all, of these self-anointed crusaders for life, are enthusiastic supporters of the death penalty, apparently in keeping with some atavistic sense of earthly justice. They (1) ignore studies that demonstrate, sociologically, that it is not a deterrent to crime,(2) approve of the State’s taking of human life,(3) ignore the several instances of botched executions, leading to results that could only be happily described by the Marquis de Sade and, (4) downplay the significant number of instances, where, with the aid of DNA tests, or other revelations, it is revealed that the convicted person was innocent of the crime for which he was charged and sentenced; at times such revelations have appeared only after the application of the mortal penalty. Total disregard of these facts and atavistic calls for the application of the death penalty, are far from appropriate for self-anointed crusaders for life.

The media has shown that a great many of these right to lifers are resolute opponents of legislation to regulate gun sales and gun ownership. We see no rational basis whatsoever, for the existence of a purported cause seeking the protection of life, being maintained simultaneously, with the support for unregulated ownership and sale of weapons. The numerous mass shootings at shopping malls, schools, movie theaters and other venues appear, in consistent fashion, to be the result of automatic weapons in the hands of deranged shooters. This is due, in large part, to the ready availability of weapons and their unregulated sale. Reasonable gun control laws would be most desirable to these counterfeit protectors of life, if the subject of that protection, life, were their actual raison d’etre.

We have spent some time pondering the rational disconnect between the name, “Right to Life” and the articulated life- affirming dedication of its adherents, and the empirical reality and significance of their starkly contrasting behavior. We have, accordingly, reached the conclusion that the organization and its members are not, truthfully, concerned to any degree with the sanctity of human life, nor, contrary to their constant public pretentions, have any especial concern, for the safety and protection of the human fetus. The facts of the manifest falsity of their misrepresentations is irrefutably evident, given the above enumerated  facts; of which, to us, the most telling, is their stunning disinterest in the life and welfare of the (needy) child, following birth.

Our resultant conclusion is that they are, instead, motivated by a neurotic need for personal contact and association with a publically recognized group, to buttress an inadequate sense of personal identity. Signing on to a point of view, unanimously shared by the group, furnishes such neurotically needy personality with an ersatz affirmation of commonality, belonging and identity; this may be especially so, regarding an issue which is public and emotionally charged.   Being part of an identified association, with an intimate group of non-critical, reductive minded colleagues, and sharing a mutually agreed pseudo-ideology, is their unhealthy, rationalized solution to the problem of meaningless existence.

The fetus, itself is no more than a strategically advertised symbol, such as a tribal totem or a national flag. It functionally signifies the public assertion of a shared identity, albeit, here, by people, desperately in want of an effective recipe to flavor a bland life of limitless, mundane existence.

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There are moments in life when a feeling of fatigued exasperation, often respecting ignorant or misguided tendencies of our fellow humans, becomes especially unbearable. It is at such extreme times that we may, defensively, and healthily, choose to reject the unacceptable reality, by way of a momentary escape into fantasy.

One such instance seems to present itself with the obdurate inclination of many to downplay or disregard the ever- present danger to the environment of human behaviors, which ominously increase the quantum of carbon pollution and other lethal emissions released into the air and the planetary atmosphere. We can imagine a horrifying nightmare where ultimately, our lush, green, life supporting, planet is degraded to a cold, lifeless and colorless rock, like the moon. This tragic existential possibility, which is ignored by so many thoughtless human beings, is an appropriate impetus to engage in fantasy.

In the interest of not being misjudged, we would declare that [based upon the objective facts of our life, including our perception of other’s experienced evaluations of us, and innumerable medical visits to physicians for check-ups and the usual maladies] we are healthy, reality oriented, and free from paranoia, delusions or  similar pathology. With such assurances we return to our subject conceit, or fantasy.

When in the presence of trees, whether we are in a state of motion, or are stationary,  we have the bizarre impression that we are being sized up and actively scrutinized by them; in the same manner as scientists observe an organism in a petre dish, or as the public is watched, under surveillance by an official closed camera channel. At such times, we divine the felt possibility that man may have overlooked some sentient potential possessed by the earthly arboretum.

It is an empirical fact that all trees grow upward (excepting a few varietals, and the phenomenon of branch growth.) It is also demonstrably true that height (as in control towers or ranger stations) affords the viewer, a much clearer and better contextual view. [For this reason, tourists visit the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower.] Since trees grow upward, it follows that the youngest growth is on the very top, which enables the tree’s extended visibility. Furthermore, by analogy to our knowledge of mammals, we know that youngest eyes see best and without impediments, such as cataracts or needed correction. It is not yet scientifically clear, however, whether the resultant findings of such arboreal observation are suitably recorded and accessibly stored by the investigative trees.

There are some naturalists, of note, who opine that the observed nodding, or visibly  sideways sway of the trees, indicate inarticulate displeasure or worried concern. One would question whether arboreal observational also suffers, as in the case of human observation, from the limitation in accuracy of subjective perception.

Supplementing the above, specifically, on the subject of record keeping, we have come across a nine- year study, published in the respected Norwegian “Daily Tree Hugger,” based upon the latest scientific research, undertaken by the world renowned, Scandinavian arborist, Professor Leif Rootundbark, aided by an associate doctoral staff. The findings of the subject study reveal that on careful analysis, discernible algorithmic symbols in the growing rings of various selected tree trunks. Further research upon this exciting breakthrough is proceeding apace.

We are persuaded, contrary to our former understanding, that trees are perceived, in error, by homo sapiens, to be indifferent to mankind. In truth, they are dutifully engaged in muted intelligence surveillance on a full-time (24-7) basis; observing the selfish and careless habits of man, which pose an existential danger to the planet, (including the trees, themselves). We suggest that in your next stroll in the park, look up and try to smile at the ambient trees, that appear to be the friendliest.

As if they were part of the scenario of a classic Greek tragedy, the trees knowingly sway back and forth (like the traditional Greek chorus) in their sad fore- knowledge of inevitable resultant tragedy, caused by man’s hubris and unreasonable perspective.

-p.

We predict that for many decades after the present state  of the American nation, the root causes will be debated by political scientists, historians and sociologists. Depending upon one’s individual philosophy and established belief system, the attributing causes will be various and varied; inadequate education, the substitution of a reliance on electronics for human interaction and the exercise of reason, the great and inequitable disparity in wealth, bigotry and discrimination, the primacy of profits over the health of the nation and the planet, xenophobia and immigration neurosis, and so many others, all contending for first place. The one cause of failure, no doubt, agreed upon by all academics is the  nation’s lack of sufficient literacy and concerned awareness, as recommended by President Thomas Jefferson.

The admirable and innovative attempt by the Founders of the republic, to establish a classless democratic republic, was subsequently frustrated by the disappointing evolution of a citizenry of mere viewers and spectators, as opposed to readers and participants. Our Founders assumed that the literate and informed citizenry, with mutual love of country, and in brotherly fashion, would debate the issues of the day; the result of which would help guide the nation. The upshot would be, as intended, a government by, and for the people. Instead, hostile partisanships developed, which resulted in the formation of various insular groups, sharing mutually common opinions, at complete odds with each other; instead of the useful exchange of views, the result was hatred, and the death of civic amity.

Another factor was the (sociopathic) motivation of many large entrepreneurial corporations, in the  exaltation of profits above the health and welfare of human beings and the planet.

Bigotry and prejudice, no doubt the result of the desperate desire of the ignorant, low information reductionists, for a respectable place on the “pecking order,” in an attempt to acquire some needed semblance of self-worth and valued identity.

A cause for failure (incredibly, in a nation composed of all immigrants and their descendants) was a xenophobic hatred of immigrants. The Nazi- style treatment of vulnerable people, fleeing danger and poverty, is a clear and obscene refutation of the American way, oiur and American history. This neurosis, we feel, is  not entirely distinguishable from the religious zeal demonstrated by the pro-gun supporters, who continue to misread the truthful intention of the 2^nd Amendment, especially in its historical background. Divisive national strife, and even worse, many tragic deaths of innocent people is the proximate result.

There is, as stated above, a primary cause of the decline of the republic to its present state, which should be agreed to by all contending academics: incompetence. Our sad descent to a nation of viewers and spectators, as opposed to readers, thinkers and doers, has been the enabling factor. The ultimate evidence of this assertion is the comic book elevation of an ignorant, egocentric and immoral, T.V. game show host to America’s Oval Office. As could be expected, and in a relatively brief time in office, he has profaned the institution of the American Presidency, the nation, and its traditional place in world history, and has also embarrassed the American people. He and his enablers, have profanely demoted the coveted American dream to the status of a disturbing and fearful nightmare.

-p.

Our nation is exclusively peopled by immigrants (and their descendants) who emigrated to America, seeking a better life for their family and themselves. So many responded in earlier years, to Lady Liberty’s gracious invitation, as framed by the poetess, Emma Lazarus, “Give me your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free…” We have disappointingly observed, that many such Americans, after settling in, have been in favor of an unfair roadblock to the admission of others, situated similarly, from the achievement of their American dream. How soon these ungrateful forget.

We will state, preliminarily, that we, like all American law- abiding citizens, believe the law must be upheld in fact and in principle. We would, also, at the outset, firmly state that a national policy, separating children from their parents, is morally, far worse than the offense alleged against their parent, (being unregistered) for which that separation is decreed; it is a crime against Nature, itself inarguably a more fundamental evil than, c the failure to be registered.

Our laws (and most European laws) have always made the crucial distinction between offenses which were “malum in se” and those which were classified as “malum prohibitum.” Malum in se,” refers to acts which are, ipso facto, evil in themselves, ex: murder, larceny, robbery, burglary, rape and kidnapping, and are severely punished as such. Malum prohibitum defines acts which would otherwise,\ be legal but have become illegal because a statute or ordinance makes it so. There is no relevant venal, or evil intent necessary, merely the commission of the prohibited act, ex: passing a red light, failing to have a permit for street sales, or for an elevator inspection or littering. The commission of acts, no more serious than malum prohibitum are, appropriately, given light, sanctions, especially for a first offense.

Those who, critically and most self-righteously, relish the epithet “illegal immigrant” seem to have lost sight that the sole illegality  charged, is that of non-registration, viz., not having required paperwork (prohibitum). Those affected, like our forebears, have simply and admirably, sought to obtain a better life for their families. The Trump Administration, itself, guilty of so many (yet unpunished) serious offenses against our country and its citizens, delights in stirring up his responsive, low-information base, to the detriment of many worthwhile applicants for admission; many of whom could possibly add great value to our nation.

We declare, as we did at the outset of this writing, that there is no crime, however heinous, comparable to the offense against Nature and Humanity, as by the Trump decree, directing the destruction of young children’s lives by having them forcibly snatched, kidnap style, from their parents. [Reader, add, if at all felt necessary, merely because of their lack of paperwork.]

This is not the “America” we grew up to know; we are ashamed and greatly alarmed.

-p.