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This mini-essay is a unique for plinyblog, in that it is a comment, regarding a great play, perhaps the greatest play written in the English canon, by the, inarguably, greatest playwright of the language, if not in history. More specifically, it is a criticism of the reviews, read and lectures heard, by us on William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, “Hamlet.”

We, are not, self-identified, experts on the subject, by any measure, and are, merely, lifelong lovers of great literature. Nevertheless, after much reservation and thought, we have decided to brave, the predictable criticism of, presumption and of reductive analysis, in this voicing of our long held, and possibly radical, opinion, of   Shakespeare’s true, intended message, expressed in his greatest work of theater art, Hamlet.

As the reader may recall,in  theplay, stated here, in precis form, a ghost claiming to be the ghost of his slain father, the King of Denmark, appears to the protagonist, Hamlet, with the demand that he exact revenge against the King’s brother, Claudius, his murderer and the usurper of his throne (and wife). Hamlet’s persona, portrayed as a thinker, more than a man of action, agonizes and perseverates, concerning this painful assignment throughout the play, and actually does postpone some opportunities to carry it out for personally, perceived reasons, as related.

Aside from the dynamics, and the action (and inaction) of the play, it may be agreed, by readers, that the most popularly known scene in the heavy dramatic work, is the quiet, “graveyard scene.” In this funeral scene, contrasted with the emotional atmosphere of the major portion of the play, Hamlet is physically handed the of the skull of a familiar, deceased, jester, “Yorick,” his  beloved childhood playmate. Hamlet expresses intense grief at his past recollections of the deceased as a living, entertaining, and unforgettable personality.

We, humbly, and with great deference, to the recognized experts on Shakespeare, differ,  regarding the many communicated analyses of Hamlet, expressed, at lectures on, and in the literature read by us, as to the play’s primary message.

The commonly recognized, intellectual analysis of Hamlet, deals with, the stark contrast between men of action, and the agony and internal conflict of those who simply and neurotically, perseverate. There exist psychological theories, aplenty, disputes between Freudians, neo- Freudians, and many literati, on the subject of Hamlet and of the various ascribed theories of neurosis, and of human persona and the like, which we have noted to our personal dismay, and to our, now confessed, sardonic reactions.

We  bravely and candidly state, that our reading of Hamlet, leads us in an entirely different direction, and articulares a discerned, disparate message of the play. We see intentional purpose and especial significance in Shakespeare’s graveyard scene, above all others in the play. It will be noted such scene is independent and entirely unrelated to the play’s portrayal of action or inaction.

We are thoroughly convinced that the celebrated, “Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well, Horatio” scene, is not a Shakespearean respite, from the play’s tragic drama, in the same way, that the Bard often inserts light scenes for comic relief, in his tragic canon. To us, it is, by far, the most articulate and meaningful moment in the play.  Yorick, the late, beloved, talented and amusing jester, is, now, but a specter of the past, and the scene, an instructive reminder, to Hamlet (and humanity), that life is ephemeral and death certain, and accordingly, the quest for revenge is  misguided and meaningless waste.

Stated, more precisely, Shakespeare’s, properly  intended message to mankind, was, that man’s desire for revenge, is existentially, futile, relative to man’s, inevitable, mortality.

We, would confidently urge the above nuanced insight, on any reader of Shakespeare, and sincerely welcome the receipt of any opposed perceptions.

-p.

 

 

 

 

The population the of the rural village of Salubrious Valley, generally does not exceed approximately, 600 residents, [such total, to be enlarged, following the expected birth of a baby, to Jim and Anna Flaxis, in three weeks]. The name, Salubrious Valley, was officially adopted, by unanimous vote of its Village Council, slightly more than, seventy ago, to supersede its former name, Corona Hollow. The change of name was enacted, and has been maintained, by reason of the truly miraculous fact, that not one of its residents, has ever suffered from illness, of any kind. It is, generally, believed that such unusual phenomenon, has been the successful result, of each inhabitant’s faithful compliance, with the mandatory rules of its Village Charter. The factual miracle is the attributable explanation, for the uniform refusal of its successive residents to relocate elsewhere. Any villager, wishing to return home, after an officially approved, brief sojourn outside the village, has to submit to a period of three weeks of monitored quarantine, to prevent entry of disease causing, germs.

The current members of the Salubrious Valley Village Council, are Mrs. Anna Flaxis, Sr., President, Ms. Bella Donna, Vice President, Mr. Sal Hepatica, Treasurer, Rev. Bram O. Seltzer, Executive Secretary, and Mr. Sid Jitalis, recording Secretary. The Council, convenes, regularly, every other Thursday evening at 8 P.M., and enjoys the organizationally, rare privilege, of brief meetings, the reason for which, is the perpetual absence of issues, or contention.

The authoritative, “Charter” of Salubrious Valley Village, commences with an historic and explanatory preamble, consisting of the recounting of its unique and “miraculous” history, and furnishes the rationale, for its all-encompassing, mandatory, provisions, regulating the life, and actions, of its resident members. Included, are, such matters as, appropriate dress, private and interactive behavior, cleanliness, dietary restrictions, and evening curfew. The official document provides for mandatory, universal, observance of its provisions, on pain of ex- parte, summary dispossess. There has been no known circumstance of non-compliance, and, accordingly, no reported event of dispossess.

The requirement for universal compliance, with the Village Charter, to an outsider, may well seem, especially draconian and remarkable, considering that the Charter, includes, the following excerpted, restrictions and mandated behavior:

1. Handshaking, and all other risky, third party touching, inclusive of, children and other members of the family, relatives and friends, are strictly prohibited. Hands must be thoroughly washed, no less than 8 times, per diem.
2. Well laundered gloves, and sanitary surgical masks, are to be worn, outside the home. On return, gloves, and protective masks, are, to be immediately, burned.
3. Hot showers or baths, lasting no less than thirty minutes, and utilizing anti-bacterial soap, must be taken 4 times per day, or more often, as felt necessary.
4. All unavoidable coughing, or sneezing, must be directed into the bent elbow and inside an empty, closed closet.
5. Uniform compliance, with the age appropriate, schedule of hours for sleep, as provided in the Village bulletin, are to be strictly
6. Visits by resident, non-family members are limited to one or two persons (simultaneously) three times per week; and two times, daily, as to related family members; to be followed, in all cases, by the washing and changing of clothes.
7. All, necessary deliveries of mail or packages, are to be handled with clean gloves and read or examined quickly, immediately followed by the precautionary washing of hands, and, disinfection of the desk, or table top, if used.
8. Family meals are to be taken, either, one person at a time, or, if desired, together, with the use of loose, easily manageable, face masks.
9. The practice of kissing or embracing is hazardous, and is to be curtailed, or more preferably, completely eliminated.
10. There is to be limited holding and personal nurturance of (previously sanitized or bathed) family pets, which should be assigned, weekly, to one responsible person
11. All switches, drawer handles and doorknobs must be fully sanitized no less than four times per diem. Identical procedures apply to all ground and cell phones.
12. Romantic interludes, beyond # “9”, above, when unavoidable, should be conducted with surgical masks and gloves; osculation should be limited, as possible.
13. Bathrooms, including personal facilities, must be completely scoured and sanitized after every use, including, visits for hair combing and brushing teeth.
14. Clothes are to be changed twice daily and cleaned or laundered, immediately.
15. Washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, are to be thoroughly scoured, with an anti-bacterial agent, before, and after each use,

Successive, contagion-free, generations of villagers, have, historically, engaged in compliance with the plethora of mandates in the Charter, proudly and happily, attributing their perfect health histories, and perfect record of non-miscreant behavior, to such full time and energetic dedication. There has been, no illness, or sneezing and coughing, no sickrooms or sickbeds, no need for medical assistance, no lost time from work or school, little injury and a universal and perpetual absence of concern, regarding the subject of infectious disease. Disability attendant upon aging, was however, necessarily recognized as inevitable and not proscribed.

Willa Profolaxis, the orphaned, 17 tear old, maternal grand-niece, of the childless, Board President, Anna Flaxis, was adopted, by Anna and her husband, Jim, approximately six years ago, and happily, and (of course,) healthily, resided with her adoptive parents. She has been universally admired, for her intelligence and cheerful disposition, and, in common with all village residents, fully compliant with all of stringent requirements of the Salubrious Village Charter.

Willa was always, an avid reader, and an especial admirer of English Victorian literature. She has read every Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, and William Thackeray novel, in the small village library. In her spare time, from employment as a piano teacher. She has always deeply yearned to experience, more of the period’s authors such as, George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, and H.G. Wells; writers whose works, unfortunately, were not available, in the small village library. Willa was aware of the difficult procedure to leave the village, and the unpleasant requirement following her return, but, in order to pursue her literary interests, was willing to, endure the procedure for permission to leave and the loneliness of the subsequent solitary period of isolated quarantine procedure, to pursue her passionate literary interests.

After earnestly indicating her wishes, and willingness to undergo the isolation period, she easily succeeded in passing her stringent oral examination and required interviews, seeking the necessary permission, (her application, certainly not adversely affected, by the fact that her foster mother was Board President) which was granted. Her revealed plan, which consisted a visit to a nearby College library, and supervised residence, in a room in the College’s female dormitory premises, for three days. was officially approved.

She left the following Monday evening, by the village small, private bus, for the nearby college town of Belle Airs, intending to return the following Thursday, as authorized. In addition to a new notebook, she packed a few changes of clothes and undergarments, and a dozen pairs of gloves and medical masks. Upon leaving Salubrious Village, she dutifully donned her protective mask and put on her gloves. The village bus driver, also gloved and masked, drove Willa to the nearby college town, and left her at the college entrance. The college’s Dean of Women, had been expecting her, and, privately surprised at noting her mask, showed her to her assigned room; it was past 10:P.M. and she wished her a good night, after indicating the route to the library, and the dining room, and left.

After an excited, and restless. night and quick breakfast, (which she had brought, from home) she dressed, and walked to the College Library, and entered, to the surprise of the librarian, and others, (at her mask and gloves) and was directed, as she requested, to the section dedicated to Victorian Literature. Willa was very excited, as she took down a volume of Anthony Trollop, “The Warden,” slipped off her gloves and excitedly, began reading.

After approximately one hour of contented reading, a very handsome young college student, entered the library and began to read. He selected a novel by H.G. Wells, “The War of the Worlds,” and, sat at an adjoining window table, and began to read. He was so engrossed at finishing the novel (which he had frustratedly, come close to accomplishing, the previous evening, when the library closed.)

The handsome, young college student noticed the absorbed, Willa nearby, and despite his anxiety, regarding the outcome of his book, approached her and inquired after the gloves and face mask. Willa, having little experience with young men, naively, explained the complete history and description of her village of Salubrious, emphasizing the lifestyle of its residents, and the complete absence of germs. The young student, whose name was Ian Hardy, smiled, and on the way back to his table, thinking of the rosy picture painted, so naively and honestly, by Willa, had a pang of conscience, as he stifled a couple of soft, involuntary coughs.

The next morning, saw both young people, sitting and reading, at their previous tables. Young Hardy, was excitedly finishing his novel by H.G. Wells, and Willa was half way through with “The Warden,” when the young man, jumped up and quickly approached the reading young lady. He exclaimed, “I remember your description of your village, and their absolute dread of germs.” Willa, still masked, asked for an explanation of his sudden statement. The handsome young college student, explained that in Well’s novel, the Earth was near certain destruction from superior and, invincible forces of Martians who suddenly, collapsed, due to their Martian lack of immunity, for Earthly germs. He then expressed great fear and respect for earthly germs, and acquired more insight into the facts revealed, yesterday, by Willa. He the invited Willa to lunch at the College Restaurant, in the adjoining building, and Willa, flattered and charmed, by the young man, accepted.

At lunch the two diners, discussed the subject of the danger of germs, a subject of especial interest to Willa, who had a uniquely exciting and rarely experienced sense of sudden attachment to young Hardy. He, on the other hand, was fascinated her strange personality, noticing, each time she lifted her face mask to eat, that she had an exotic and very beautiful face. They met at the library and for lunch, each of the remaining days of Willa’s permitted sojourn.

On the third and final day, on one occasion, when Willa lifted her mask to eat, the young man, on impulse, and, apparently motivated by an uncontrolled passion, kissed Willa on the lips. A novel and completely unexperienced pleasure, coursed through Willa’s body, at this new experience, and she, in panicked response, left her lunch, half eaten, and retreated to her dorm room, to start packing her clothes for return to Salubrious Village the next morning. She attempted to forget about the one event, the Charter specifically prohibited, the kiss, and with remorse and inconsistent pleasure, she perseverated about the experience, through the night.

The next morning, Willa was met by the small, white village bus and transported home, to welcoming expressions and her anticipated period of isolated quarantine. During the seemingly, interminable three weeks of quarantine, she dreamed about the young man, the kiss, the bucolic characters of Trollope, the earth being saved from invading Martians, by its germs, in H.G. Wells’ novel, and somewhat later on, her normal life at Salubrious Village and music instruction.

After the termination of the three- week quarantine period, Willa was overjoyed to rejoin her step parents, Jim and Anna Flaxis, and return to the germ-free life of the village, resuming her piano instruction and controlled interaction of residents, as directed by the authoritative Charter. From time to time, she recalled the impulsive kiss on the lips and her, responsive, pleasant bodily response.

About two weeks later, walking to residence of her next pupil, she thought that she heard the unfamiliar sound of a soft cough, emanating from…..

Somewhere, in that part of heaven, where the literary greats are enjoying their eternal leisure, Victorian Section, of course, a heavily bearded chubby vested, H.G.Wells, is shaking his head and ironically smiling.

-p.

There are those, who, might, with good reason, declare, “These are the worst of times.”

It is, inarguably, a species of tragedy, to see elevated, to America’s historically venerated, Oval Office, an incapable, psychopathically immoral, former television game show host, and real estate “gonif.” This unholy event has, predictably resulted, in the loss of America’s historically, revered stature, and its implicit credibility, domestic and international. Confused American citizens, have noted his continuing love affair with foreign despots, his indirect support of White Nationalists, serial mendacity, his uncountable acts of personal immorality and his consequential, denial of scientifically, proven, man- made, global warming; the latter, having tragic, even existential, consequences. His recent attempts, to diminish the significance of the current, worldwide, pandemic, shamefully, amounts to pernicious gross negligence, rendering the Nation, unprepared and vulnerable.

The Democratic party has been, dedicatedly, focused on replacing this embarrassing, “squatter” President, in the 2020 Presidential Election, and now are close to the final selection of a nominee, to oppose him. The previous large number of candidates, has been winnowed down, to two final contestants, former Vice – President, Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders, of Vermont. This writing is a candid and frank expression, of our personal assessment and nuanced recommendation, as to the two candidates.

Both aspirants are male, white, senior citizens, in their 70’s, and experienced in politics. Joe Biden, a Democrat, served as Senator from the State of Delaware and, thereafter, as Vice President, under President, Barack Obama; Bernie Sanders, a self-described, “Democratic Socialist,” votes with the Democrats, and has is a U.S. Senator, from the State of Vermont.

The candidates do differ, somewhat, on certain substantive points, but then, mostly in degree, and can both be properly described as “liberal”. The degree of variance in particular issues, is responsible for Sanders, in the political jargon, being described as “more to the left,” than Biden. We would not entertain a strong preference, regarding any one of these fine candidates, were we not possessed of an uncertain estimation of the often noted, less than adequately informed nature, of the average American voter.

The discernable differences in platform, seem essentially to center around the proposed health plans. In general terms, one wants the continuance and improvement of the Obama plan (the ACA), the other favors a program of universal insurance for all (single payer). Both are advocates of renewable energy and the amelioration of global warming. Biden seems to favor tax relief for higher education, while the more progressive, Sanders opts for free college tuition, paid for by means of a more equitable tax code.

In our concerned view, that the average American voter, is motivated by somewhat reductive perceptions, and a discomfort with unfamiliar and unexamined concepts. He exercises, his choice, largely, on the basis of stereotypic optics, and perceived, personality. Accordingly, for such empirical, reasons, we have chosen one of these two, exemplary, American candidates; without indulging in a detailed analysis, regarding their platform differences. To be clear, we would have a more difficult task of making a selection, if it were not for this nuanced perception, of the electorate, and emphasizing, that the defeat of Trump, is a goal, second, only in relative importance, to the elimination of the currently presenting viral pandemic.

In this age of virtually, unlimited optical license and facility, the factors of image, and visual perception of persona, (unfairly) play an inordinate role in the evaluation of others. Bernie is a compassionate, emotive, coffee house style, intellectual, an academic stereotype, arguably, less familiar to the average, non-university graduate, than is the business suited, well barbered Biden. Most voters, we imagine, comfortably, know many Biden types, at business, the office, work, or, at Sunday Church services, but relatively few Bernie’s.

To be clear, we are great admirers of Sander’s sincere passion and emphatic expression, regarding the morality of economic justice, and progressive programs for the needy. Biden, the personification of a middle class, next door neighbor, also advocates fairness, but is far from a firebrand speaker. We, emphatically, revere the firebrands who seek equity and justice; but we are of the impression that the average American voter, diffidently, sees them, as a possible threat, to the continuance of their world of acceptable, societal normality.

As indicated, there may be less value in reviewing the differences in platform, such as they may be, than in, disappointingly recognizing, the preeminence of optical and interpersonal, fixed stereotypes, as successfully determinative, over concrete substance.

Bernie has, additionally, not helped himself by candidly espousing “democratic socialism.” The term, “socialism,” has irrationally, become an un-American, epithet, as opposed to, a mere economic conception. Every American citizen has benefited from compassionate capitalism (“socialism”) in terms of social security, disability, home relief, death benefits, health and sanitary programs, regulations, assuring the purity and safety of water, air, medicine and food, programs of disaster relief, regulations assuring safety in the workplace, safety of our highways and infrastructure, the maintenance of a postal service, police and, far too many further examples of empathic concern, for the citizen, by government. At the very time of this writing, government is extending its (“socialistic”?) efforts to ameliorate the effects of the currently presenting pandemic. Bernie, the avowed “socialist” is on the right side of human empathy, and in actual effect, is promoting the continuation of mainstream capitalism, by espousing safeguards against the vicissitudes of want, by unregulated commerce.

However, it is our fear and expectation, that an inadequately knowledgeable and uninformed, public, will hesitate to vote for this compassionate, seeker of equity and justice. There seems to be no feasible way, to eliminate the vocabulary word, “socialist” from their reductionist and ungrateful, list of verboten titles. It is only the superior urgency, of defeating the cancerous pathology of the Trump presidency, that impels us to favor Biden, partner of President Obama, and the familiar image of “the neighbor next door,” instead of the justice- seeking, less mainstream persona of Bernie Sanders.

We have no reservations, whatsoever, in confidently expressing our choice for a running mate, as Vice President. She is Stacey Abrams, a fine, gifted and intelligent, black American, who was, immorally and undemocratically, cheated out of the Georgia Governorship, by a program of black voter suppression, engineered, by the Georgia Secretary of State, (incredibly!) her opponent.

*Apologies, to Charles Dickens, for the above title.

-p.

Various members of the public media have dismally predicted, that the present onset of the “Corona” virus, conceivably, may evolve to be the worst pandemic of the Century. The virulent organism, which initially, sickened many folks in China, has unfortunately, grown to its present worldwide impact, most recently, inclusive of the United States. The disease, apparently, seems to spread, from person to person, [ particularly, to the more vulnerable, elderly and infirm], by human contact, notably, by the transmission of bodily fluids, such as occurs upon sneezing or coughing. Accordingly, universities and schools, have been closed, and airline flights, and public events and meetings, prudently cancelled.

As reported, the current government, under the leadership of our incompetent and ego-centric President, does not, responsibly, possess the logistical and clinical wherewithal, required to meet the emergent need; among other disgraceful facts, there appears to be a major shortage in diagnostic tests, for the disease outbreak. This is yet another, spectacular illustration, of the malpractice of the Trump administration; this time, unnecessarily, leading to rampant fear and uncertainty on the part of the general American public. The officially reported, increasing number of those infected, and the publicized accounts of related mortality are factually, undeniable, even by this neurotically, mendacious President.

Consistent with the current White House’s predictable, mode of operation, Trump has undertaken his usual, defensive stance, of denial, and whitewash, concerning his shameful misfeasance, by foolishly, downplaying the purported severity of the horrific event; despite such official, public reports of infection and mortality. This President, a chronic prevaricator, and a practiced, tactical denier of reality (“false news”) has publicly and misleadingly, stated, that the impact and gravity of the subject, pandemic virus, is, in reality, a matter of minor concern.

It is with the employment of such analogous and tactical mendacity, that Trump has induced, too many citizens to discredit the findings of virtually, every professionally recognized, climate scientist, that there is discernable, existential damage to our planet, (global warming) proximately caused, by human behavior. He nevertheless, has wrongfully and irresponsibly, withdrawn from vital international treaties seeking to preserve the health of the environment and the planet. Trump, instead, has immorally and profitably, sucked up to the psychopathic and poisonous, large industrial polluters. His signature, tactical program, as noted, consists of his usual knee-jerk, defensive inclination, to vociferously, deny the consistent, scientific findings, thereby, courting his flat-earth, poorly educated, base of support, as well as, comforting the mega- profiteering, and irresponsible industrialists.

Dare we [optimistically], hope that Trump’s publically noticeable, false denials, regarding the current, visible and undeniable, outbreak of the virus, will serve, as a “dim light” of revelation, to his ardent supporters, as to his characteristic mendacity, and credibly detract, from their tribally loyal acceptance of his self-interested, programmic denials; most especially, concerning the scientifically proven, existence and causation, of climate change?

 

We remain(somewhat) hopeful.

-p.

 

Various members of the public media have dismally predicted, that the present onset of the “Corona” virus, conceivably, may evolve to be the worst pandemic of the Century. The virulent organism, which initially, sickened many folks in China, has unfortunately, grown to its present worldwide impact, most recently, inclusive of the United States. The disease, apparently, seems to spread, from person to person, [ particularly, to the more vulnerable, elderly and infirm], by human contact, notably, by the transmission of bodily fluids, such as occurs upon sneezing or coughing. Accordingly, universities and schools, have been closed, and airline flights, and public events and meetings, prudently cancelled.

As reported, the current government, under the leadership of our incompetent and ego-centric President, does not, responsibly, possess the logistical and clinical wherewithal, required to meet the emergent need; among other disgraceful facts, there appears to be a major shortage in diagnostic tests, for the disease outbreak. This is yet another, spectacular illustration, of the malpractice of the Trump administration; this time, unnecessarily, leading to rampant fear and uncertainty on the part of the general American public. The officially reported, increasing number of those infected, and the publicized accounts of related mortality are factually, undeniable, even by this neurotically, mendacious President.

Consistent with the current White House’s predictable, mode of operation, Trump has undertaken his usual, defensive stance, of denial, and whitewash, concerning his shameful misfeasance, by foolishly, downplaying the purported severity of the horrific event; despite such official, public reports of infection and mortality. This President, a chronic prevaricator, and a practiced, tactical denier of reality (“false news”) has publicly and misleadingly, stated, that the impact and gravity of the subject, pandemic virus, is, in reality, a matter of minor concern.

It is with the employment of such analogous and tactical mendacity, that Trump has induced, too many citizens to discredit the findings of virtually, every professionally recognized, climate scientist, that there is discernable, existential damage to our planet, (global warming) proximately caused, by human behavior. He nevertheless, has wrongfully and irresponsibly, withdrawn from vital international treaties seeking to preserve the health of the environment and the planet. Trump, instead, has immorally and profitably, sucked up to the psychopathic and poisonous, large industrial polluters. His signature, tactical program, as noted, consists of his usual knee-jerk, defensive inclination, to vociferously, deny the consistent, scientific findings, thereby, courting his flat-earth, poorly educated, base of support, as well as, comforting the mega- profiteering, and irresponsible industrialists.

Dare we [optimistically], hope that Trump’s publically noticeable, false denials, regarding the current, visible and undeniable, outbreak of the virus, will serve, as a “dim light” of revelation, to his ardent supporters, as to his characteristic mendacity, and credibly detract, from their tribally loyal acceptance of his self-interested, programmic denials; most especially, concerning the scientifically proven, existence and causation, of climate change?

 

We remain(somewhat) hopeful.

-p.

At the time of this writing, we are at the commencement of a term of sentence, to an indeterminate period of home confinement, officially adjudged by the prevailing medical and public health authorities. The understood and unhappy occasion, of our immobility, being the prevailing virus du jour, which we will, for simplicity’s sake, term the “corona” virus. The powers that be, have strongly recommended that two categories of people, the elderly and the health challenged, avoid crowds, and remain home. We, unfortunately, qualify under both criteria, and so, morosely, comply with the mandated restriction. The challenge imposed by this new pathology, is responsible for the interference with our freedom of agency, yet, the situation, for us, is merely, another confirmatory demonstration, of our long-held disavowal, of the philosophical theory, espousing “free will.”

We, disclaim any special degree of professional competence, regarding the arcane mysteries of neurological science, psychology or philosophy. It appears that there has been a considerable amount of serious investigation into the phenomenon and dynamics of free will, and human agency, conducted by professional investigators. Those investigators, who believe that brain action precedes and predetermines thought and action, viz., on biological grounds, have serious reservations about the conscious exercise of free will. Some experts feel otherwise, believing in conscious choice as to all behaviors; and. yet others, believe in conscious choice, but only, as to very meaningful acts. The findings of professional neurological, and psychological experiments, argue, respectively, in support, or opposition, to the absolute existence of free will. However, we will, unashamedly, deign to express our observations, from our (layman’s) experience, hoping that it will not be seen as reductionist, nor assumedly presumptuous, but rather, as based, upon decades of practical, empirical observation.

There exists in the literature, superbly reasoned and famously authored, works both, of classical, and, modern philosophical, thought, on the subject of mans’ free will, expressed in scholarly and abstract terms. It appears that over the centuries, there has been significant contention, as to whether knowledge and will, derives from the inspiration of the Deity, or, is voluntary and experiential. We see far superior merit, in the theories of great thinkers, like John Locke, who saw the life and development of man, as one derived, solely, from his learned experience.

We can conceive of no better explanation for man’s knowledge and the development of his persona, than had Locke, who famously said that man is born with a blank slate (“tabula rasa”) and that all knowledge and development, is acquired through man’s empirical experience. We would then deduce, that, since man is born and lives his life, as a separate and distinct individual, his respective life experiences, individual persona and motivation, would, logically, and correspondingly, differ. The respective differences in life situation would, effectively, dictate the opportunities, or lack thereof, and the general context of his life. Locke, undoubtedly made rational sense, and so it follows, by application of the “blank slate” conception, each individual would, thereby, learn and experience life, in accordance with his own, nuanced, situational context. A child, born feeble, or disabled, would have desires and choices, which would necessarily, be restricted, and markedly abridged and different, in comparison to a child, who, more fortunately, was born with a normal and healthy body. The disabled child’s “free will” would inarguably vary, by necessity, from those of the healthy child.

Our view is that, empirically observed, free will, or agency, is completely distinct and apart from the elements of scientific data, regarding the logistics of will, brain first, or conscious desire first, neurological pathways or obstructions, and of the philosophical literature. In actual dynamic and practical conception, the conception of, and opportunities for, free will, is universally, dependent upon the situational context into which a child is born, and matures. Body-brain, scientific issues aside, we find ourselves rather, in the context of free will (life choices) necessarily, more interested the presence and nature of significant life factors, such as gender, economics, race, nationality, religion or atheism, the personalities, married life, and age of parents, existence of siblings, dynamics of family interaction, individual health, the presence of disability, among many other life-time and impactful variables, determinative of the individual’s singular experience, as relevant, to our topic, and realistically, of utility, in the understanding of his possible aspirations, and will.

The naïve concept of choices and “free will,” also excludes the significance of individual upbringing and experiences in maturation, the latter, determinative of the perception of life’s phenomena, the evaluation of one’s limitations or privileges (personal or economic), the influence of bodily chemistry and physiology, the social interaction with others of divergent persona and varying ethical precepts, the extent of learning and mature perception, the events that occur in one’s life (positive or traumatic), the existence of painful experiences, personal abilities and aptitudes, intellectual prowess, and other situational factors, affecting the individual’s aspirations and choices.

It is a stimulating and entertaining exercise, to, socially, discuss the concept of “free will”, in abstract conception, with a philosopher, or the physiological, mechanical dynamics, of the conception, with neuroscientists and other dedicated professionals. Yet, on the non-esoteric level, where we actually live and experience life in the company of others, it is of crucial importance, to the assessment and understanding of the individual, to be aware of the forces and the context that shape his thoughts, behavior and, to our present point, his desired and attainable aspirations (“free will”).

-p.

The international scene is once more astir, in its, all too familiar, panic mode, over the sudden advent of a virus, whose name we choose to simplify, as the “corona virus,”; a gift from China, (inarguably, less appreciated than dim-sum.) The disease, capable of being transmitted from person to person, and in various other ways, all of which, reportedly, are not yet understood, bears a potential impact, ranging from extremely mild, or possibly, even, unremarked, to life threatening. The public has been literally blitzed, with the customary advice, such as, the washing of hands, coughing into one’s elbow, staying home when ill, and other such, basic, non-esoteric cautions, evidently, manifesting to us, an insufficient knowledge of the new malady.

The world is not unfamiliar with such alarming, medical events. In the still, relatively young, 21^St Century, we have had the good fortune to be challenged by Ebola, H1N1 Influenza, SARS, Bovine Flu, as well as other, potentially, existentially, dangerous pathologies.

While we can credit mankind, for scientific-medical advances, leading to the elimination of certain ominous diseases such as, diphtheria, polio, mumps and (when inoculated), measles, and of the accomplishment of creditable advances in the world of disease prevention, by genetic sequencing, the repetitive occurrence of “hand-tied, ” and panicked, government policy in times of a public outbreak of disease, is a clear indication of our Nation’s misplaced priorities, and its lack of the informed perspective, necessary for responsible governance.

In a great many of our mini-essays, we have extolled the generosity of Natural Evolution, in its eventual granting, to homo sapiens, of an advanced brain, possessing virtually, unlimited capabilities. The advance of mankind from the Stone Age axe, to the age of medical MRI’s and electroencephalograms, has been admirable; however, man’s mechanical and scientific advances, while positive, have unfortunately, been dilatory in their, ultimate arrival, since they, generally have been relegated to a lower level of priority, than would properly, be morally and ethically appropriate.

At times, such as the present, we are accustomed to wonder as to what man has essentially accomplished, for the most part, with the gifted capability of such a marvelous brain. We have noted, with great chagrin, that man has not, applied sufficient of his potential efforts to the cause of the betterment of his species. Instead, mankind, has, generally and neurotically, developed an ego-centric and selfish, perception of self, in relation to his time-constricted life. By virtue of this insecure and immaturely selfish, vision of his lifetime on the planet, man has valued quick acquisition, rather than patient understanding, and has prized, power and authority, over peace. He has, disappointingly, evidenced reductive, egoistic and ignorant apprehensions, concerning the relation of himself to the general humankind. As a result, we have seen xenophobia, religious excess, conflict, and bigotry, rather than, brotherhood, rational thought and universal, brotherly, acceptance.

The misuse of priorities, and the skewed, egotistical persona of mankind, has, ultimately led to a world, preoccupied with conflict and war, as opposed to one, whose population is engaged in advancements in the depth of understanding of life. History does show advancement, in large part, technical and mechanical, but shamefully, a paltry amount, in the area of secular empathy or morality. We have, in general, neurotically and fearfully, defined the attainment of security, in terms of the ever increasing. production of instruments of warfare, atomic missiles, advanced submarines, rocketry and the like. We are unashamedly, prepared to engage in war with other members of mankind, in the same fashion as those, observed, death-dealing, warring colonies of ants. We have become more preoccupied, it seems, in the consideration of horrific dangers of our own volition, than those of unforeseen threats, of the advent, of deadly disease.

This misplacement of priorities, is clearly manifested, by the government’s irrational, adamant, denial of scientifically proven, man- caused, climate change, by its limited funding of science, inclusive of, virology, our present concern, of adequate medical research and development, and morally. as well, in mitigating hunger and want, improving third world health and sanitation.  Such misplaced priorities, lead, ineluctably, to pandemics, and shortness of life. It is, indeed, a frustrating exercise, to attempt to elicit, even a modicum of sanity in man’s contemporaneous challenges, to his own life.

Rather than the perpetuation of a profitless continuance, and of an overweening, misguided, and paranoiac concern regarding sufficient, military preparedness, [which analogizes us to the insect world, of mindless, warring ant colonies] we should rationally, re-evaluate our priorities and resources, regarding education, generally and medical science, specifically, to, include adequate research into virology and other, empirically, presenting health issues.

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Considering the contemporary perception of the existence and use of the Presidential pardon, it would logically appear to be in galling inconsistency, with the eternal American mantras, “No one is above the Law” and, “All men are created equal.”

The right of Presidential Pardon, expressly granted in the Unites States Constitution, (Art.2, Sec.2, Clause 1) has, in its exercise over he decades, become highly controversial, and contemporaneously, has become a matter of studied, political and philosophical scrutiny. Initially, one may wonder, at the obvious, glaring inconsistency between, the historic founding of a new, radical Nation, a Democratic Republic, dedicated to erase the historic injustices of Europe, such as class preference (“all men are created equal”), and to provide, equal justice for all, and, by contrast, such new Republic’s provision and maintenance, of this Monarchial type, arbitrary power.

Historical records reveal, that founders, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, intended, that it be used, as needed, for the purposes of quelling a rebellion, or, in event of an egregious injustice, committed by the Justice Department; the latter, authorized by our constitutional dynamic of “checks and balances.” As known, these instances have not, empirically, been the grounds on which, such kingly grace, has been exercised. Indeed, the questionable exercise of such “divine right,” most especially under the current Administration, (actual, or promised) has called into question, consequential questions of morality and justice, which have challenged the Nation’s underlying, fundamental philosophy. The late, Senator, John McCain memorably, stated, “The power to pardon involves a basic disrespect for our System of Laws.”

The marked incongruities, between the foundational philosophy, underlying American Law and Jurisprudence, and the existence of the Presidential (arbitrary) right of pardon, have become, exacerbated and markedly consonant, under the present Presidential Administration. Donald Trump, has publically boasted, on National media, “I can shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue, and get away with it.” It is ironic and disturbing that this President, who is known to be guilty of a plethora of criminal and immoral wrongdoing, profiting, from his Office unconstitutionally and illegally, devising sub rosa schemes, to secretly, pay off prostitutes with  whom he has had assignations (“catch and kill”), conspiring with the many miscreants and criminals, revealed in the Official Mueller Report, and  Reports of  Congressional  Committees,  interference with justice, treasonably aiding schemes with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to skew the American vote, and thus, damaging our American democracy, regularly maligning and slandering immigrants, by falsely accusing them of crimes, of which he, himself, has been serially guilty, practicing daily, serial mendacity, wrongfully, implying the grant of pardon, to  those who have been convicted of lying to Congress, in his behalf, immorally in being in the pocket of the big industrial polluters and the NRA, illegal conspiratorial acts with his, defensively selected, Attorney General, his distortion of reality, his attacks on the free and legitimate, press. He, shamefully to relate, is an ignorant egotistic, glitzy game show moderator, and consummate, real estate gonif, and perpetrator of more immorality, in his outrageous and anti-societal misbehavior, than can, as a practical matter, be, responsibly, delineated; allowing such a consummate rogue and charlatan, the god-like authority to pardon criminals, screams of injustice and irrationality.

Ignoring the advisory criteria, of Hamilton and Madison, he has chosen to pardon such undeserved criminals, as his psychopathic friend, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who, for years, arbitrarily, arrested Mexicans, on the unsupported, and bigoted assumption, that they were all illegals, and then subjected them to the sadistic torture, of inhuman and unrelenting, exposure to the unbearably hot Arizona Desert sun; of Bernard Kerik, a crooked embezzler of campaign funds and, perhaps, most relevantly, a sidekick of Trump’s co-conspirator, Rudy Giuliani, and that hateful “piece of work,” Rod Blagojevich, who, pleaded guilty, to the attempt, as Illinois Governor, to sell its vacant, Senatorial seat for $15,000.00.

Many citizens are suspicious lest many unknown, additional, misdeeds and criminal acts were performed by, or on behalf of Trump, but kept under wraps, by co-conspirators, in the subtly, encouraged, hope of a pardon, in return, tactically implied, by this “Saintly” President.

We have been, uncomfortably, harboring three very disturbing questions, (1) Does Trump have the authority to pardon criminals for the commission of federal crimes, in which, he, the President, was complicit? (2) Can he, under such circumstances, pardon himself? (3) Is it, in fact, realistic, as all American citizens are conditioned to believe, that no man, including the President, is above the Law?

To continue our advance toward the conceptual dream of a better America, there are two vestigial institutions which, like tonsils and the appendix, need to be surgically excised, before they fester into a National sepsis, viz., the pardon and the electoral college.

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The behavioral phenomenon, known as the “conditioned response,” is known to have been discovered, in the early 20^th century experimental work of a Russian medical investigator, Dr. Ivan Pavlov. His experimental findings revealed that ringing a bell, just prior to feeding a hungry animal, caused (conditioned) the subject animal, to regularly salivate, thereafter, merely, upon hearing the sound of a bell. This automatic reaction, the “conditioned response,” consists of a predictable, reflexive reaction to a specified, stimulus. As empirically observed, it is common to most living organisms, inclusive of mankind, and is of utility in the understanding of behavior. The adjective for such predictable, associatively, motivated behavior was denominated, “Pavlovian.”

The “conditioned” (or “Pavlovian”) response, is discernably, universal and, in humans, is at times, exploitable, in a a variety of ways. It is tactically used, for example, by commercial advertisers, to effect sales, by broadcasting symbols of the subject item, or service, offered for sale, in intimate association, with an item of the target customer’s, empirically, predictable tastes or desires. As another example, it is used, by public speakers, in their effort to portray points of view, by associating the subject views, with tactically selected, common references.

The wrongful manipulation of beliefs and concepts, by the use of the unprincipled, but (sadly) effective, use of the Pavlovian dynamic, is commonplace. There are many people who will react, to a specific concept, image or point of view, by reason of their own subjective associations, with the suggested subject (stimulus).

During election time, as an insidious mode of persuasion, selected and proven, provocative words, are often used, to elicit a desired, Pavlovian-type response from voters. Initially, a word or concept, is tactically denigrated; later, by its adjectival application, or malicious reference, it is used, as intended, to besmirch the targeted party, with the expected blemish, of the previously denigrated word. It appears, that the work of Dr. Pavlov, can be, utilized, not as he intended, for behavioral understanding, but, cynically, as a political weapon.

The intended verbal weapon, “du jour”, as observed in past writings, is the economic word “Socialist.” The tactic, can be effective only among those who are, even at this literate age, truly ignorant of the accurate meaning of the word, and so, accept it, as intended, as an epithet, in denigration of the intended target; in our present instance, a Candidate for President. It is, at times, ignorantly conflated with the word “Communism.

“Socialism” is an economic theory, while, by broad contrast, Communism is a revolutionary political ideation. Pursuant to Socialist theory, the State is the owner and operator of all industry and commerce. It, unlike Communism, believes that people are to be paid, in accordance with their contribution to society. Adherents to the theory of Socialism, believe that such an economic system will evolve, peacefully.

Communism, (the dialectic enemy of Socialism), by bright contrast, holds that there be no government at all, but rather, rule by the common man (“Dictatorship of the Proletariat”) and that each person should be paid according to his needs, (as opposed to his contribution, as in Socialism.) Communist dogma, further, maintains. that its goal can only be brought about, by violent revolution.

There is, absolutely, no candidate, (despite, attempted Pavlovian association), that is a “Socialist” viz., one who believes, or would condone, the governmental ownership of industry and business. The meaning of the words, “Democratic-Socialist”, (compare with classic “Socialism”) as, subscribed to, by one of the Candidates, and, perhaps others, refers, in its proper application and context, to compassionate capitalism; our system, combining economic freedom of capitalism, with government concern for the citizen.

Since the birth of Free Enterprise, the era of Adam Smith, and his theories concerning the reliance on natural laws of economics (laissez-faire), the tragic, dark, revelatory, reformist novels of Charles Dickens, the demonstrated, extreme cruelty and privations of the common man and the tragedy of our Great Depression, things have mercifully, changed, for the better.

Originating in the 1930’s, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in lieu of continuing to heartlessly, abandon the citizen to the cruel and apathetic vicissitudes of Smith’s natural law, America, to its profound credit, verbalized, and undertook, a contractual commitment of governmental assistance to its people. In pursuance of this empathic undertaking, it enacted compassionate laws, making worker’s life bearable.

Currently, we have governmental programs of social security, disability relief, laws on the subject of fair wages and healthy working conditions, retirement benefits, safety regulations, health relief, flood and disaster relief, defense, public projects, federal oversight of medicines, water purity, food and airs safety, regulations covering safety of the environment, preservation of the National parks, and responsible, ecological set-asides, disaster relief, protections for the consumer in the financial and investment area, land, sea and air supervision, and too much additional examples, of empathic, government involvement, to be able to responsibly, continue to list. Every one of such existentially vital, programs, are Federal (Government and State), administered and controlled, and accordingly, can, by some people’s ignorance, and lack of appreciation, be styled, “socialist.” Yet, even those flat earth, reductive, intellectuals and their inciters, could not live the American (“Capitalist”) dream, without them.

We would cordially, invite, those who believe, or simply, use, “American Socialism,” as an intended Pavlovian epithetic, reference, to “Socialist,” to surrender any of their many, gratefully accepted, governmental (social) entitlements.

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As a respite from our more usual attempts to create somewhat “esoteric,” essays on humanity, ethics and society, we have elected to project, for this singular writing, a somewhat, humorous, but accurate, context, highlighting a scarcely noticed, and never editorialized subject, to wit, the unexamined linguistic content of ordinary public signs.

There are countless visual subjects, one encounters, on a daily, routine and regular basis, inclusive of public notices, advertisements and signs, the latter, merely noted, as dimly seen objects, perhaps, appearing exclusively in one’s peripheral vision. This phenomenon makes available for consideration, a retrospective, focused, glimpse, at such subjects, like public signs, as a proper source of closer, observational analysis.

The routinely, unexamined and unread language of public signs, may, conceivably, contain (unintentionally) flawed, even humorous or possibly, obscene content, unnoticed by its lax promulgator, yet, mercifully, attaining, undeserved, optical forbearance, as being unremarked by the stated relegation, to one’s peripheral vision.

We did promise a bit of humor, and will deliver the promised commodity, by reference to various, personally, viewed, examples of bizarre, sign literature, but, after the following remarks about the especially notable talents, of the maestros of the art.

When we refer to the subject of authorship, we not dealing with studied and revered, creators of fine literature, poetry or aesthetic art. The literature of public signs, we are inclined to assume, is created by the devotees of the same esoteric school of fine art, as the writers of holiday greeting cards. The latter creative geniuses, are populated by writers of pathetic doggerel, whose assigned goal, on Valentine’s Day, is the enhancement of romantic love, but who, in reality, accrue the effect of the exponential enhancement, of commercial sales of Pepto-Bismol. (See: Valentine essay, “Bulbs and True Love”).

Before we review the unwittingly created, humorous works of art, credited to this class of august literati, we would make a serious observation, concerning a misleading, oxymoronic message, of many banks, insurance agencies, sellers of merchandise, and membership soliciting, advertisements. The very sight of that publically advertised, purported statement of generosity, “Free Gifts,” causes in us, a feeling of personal revulsion, annoyance, and at times, even anger. The artless, intentional, snake-oil, inducement, to do business, appears, virtually on advertisements on the avenues, on television, in newspapers and pamphlets, and seems to be almost universal. Yet, the commonly understood and incontrovertible, significance of the word, “gift,” is the delivery of something, (perhaps to signify an occasion, a relationship, or otherwise) without payment. If the word, “gift,” necessarily denotes a delivery of something, without any exchange, what then can the “generous” public offer, of “free gifts,” possibly, mean? To us it means, that these multitudinous advertisers intend to entice and intentionally, mislead, the consuming public.

Returning to our titled theme, we would observe that the number of artlessly, worded public advertisements is so great, that we have chosen, for reasons of practicality, to cite, a small, but representative, number of typical examples:

At roadside, a prominent sign, fronting, a gas station, which, also features food machines, “Eat Here, Get Gas; The multitude of signs that state: “No Smoking Allowed” which logically, may be read, to mean, that it is permitted (“allowed”) not to smoke, thus, in fact, encouraging smoking; the many signs that read, “Help Wanted, Inquire Within,” which can be taken to mean that to get personal help, you should be introspective;the sign, “We Bake Our Own Bread,” seen the other day, on the Upper West Side, made us question, “Whose bread, alternatively, would they, properly, be baking ? At a large restaurant, “Reservations Accepted,” seems to mean that it will pay close attention, to the undecided, or disappointed, patrons? Notices, using the strange words, “Finger Food,” really sound, like a warning against a pet store’s snapping turtles; “Baby sitting,” could imaginatively, suggest a societally disapproved, alternative, to soft cushions [ what is wrong with, Baby Minding Service?]; A detached sign, at the winter coat section, of a child’s department store:” Little girls, fully lined,” The Notices on most construction site walls:” Post No Bills,” never do specify, the prohibited monetary denominations! [ What’s wrong with, “No Posters!”]; on the window of a lunch bar: “Self Service Inside,” admittedly, with a little stretching, sounds like the establishment’s proclaimed, franchise for a blowhard or prevaricator to continue his rant, but, necessarily, on the premises.

Based upon the foregoing, it conceivably, might be of interest, for the reader to take particular notice of, and closely read, his ambient signs, for purposes of possible enlightenment, and, perhaps, some unexpected diversion.

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* Our sincerest apologies, for this title, to Jane Austin, author of the great, Victorian Novel, “Sense and Sensibility.”

In our view, anthropologically denominated periods of mankind’s past, such as,” The Stone Age”, “The Dark Ages” and “The Age of Enlightenment,” are retrospective markers of analyzed (and by professional consensus), categorized stages, in his forward march to his biological goal. We have, for the purpose of its referential use, relative to our present theme, selected the period, named “The Dark Ages.”

With conceivably, some exceptions, the Medieval, Dark Ages, are presently seen, as an especially retrogressive period, exemplified by general ignorance, superstition, atrocity, [including publicly attended, immolation for alleged witchcraft and heresy] and the fear and loathing of “outsiders.”

Such denominations were developed, undoubtedly, among other anthropological criteria, by reason of the predominance of human beings, whose life and description, are typically seen to signify the denominated category; thus, the “Stone Age” and the caveman’s early development of stone and flint tools, the “”Age of Enlightenment,” by the noted genesis, of the ascendancy of rational thought and science, over religious superstition, such as the heliocentric theory of Copernicus, the wisdom of Erasmus and the brilliant discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton. In keeping, therefore, with such empirical conception, it can be said, that the “Dark Ages” saw a preeminence among its, respective, population of ignorance, superstition and an especially defensive fear of foreigners. [interestingly enough, the French word for foreigner, is “etranger”].

In our contemporary society, education and literacy, love of personal liberty, inclusive of, the concern for human rights, empathy for the disadvantaged, including the plight of needy foreign refugees, [symbolized by our Nation’s, venerable, Statue of Liberty], the common desire for justice and equity, as well as unquestioned individual compliance, with the societal, “social contract,” are emblematic. It is universally implied that representative members of modern society, accept such criteria, as preeminent, and within their perception of rectitude and normalcy, as accepted concomitants of their citizenship. We would propose a denominated category, of those representative of the present era, as residing, in the, anthropological period, “The Age of the Free Citizen.”

In light of of such sincerely held, beliefs, we have been in utter despair, over the current scenario, extant in our traditionally, admirable, Nation. An individual has unprecedentedly, been elected to the Oval office, who is a completely ignorant, unprincipled, immoral and egotistical, autocrat, (virtually, a throwback to the stereotypical despots of Muim iedieval times), and a staunch enemy of our (immigrant Nation’s) historic practice of welcoming the needy person from abroad. He is also, a serial womanizer (and, cover-up, briber), a bigoted, facilitator of White Supremacism, instinctively mendacious, an outspoken opponent of the free press, a friend to America’s foreign despotic enemies, and a foe of America’s traditional allies, an opponent to policies of equity (in taxation, and otherwise), a derogator of science and scientific advancement, (by existential example, climate science), and in all and sundry ways, an immoveable roadblock to human advancement and progress. Such President, legally and shamefully, impeached, by the U.S. House of Representatives, for “high crimes and misdemeanors” (possibly, extending to treason) has, brazenly announced, nevertheless, his confident intention of running again, for an additional term of office.

We have agonized over the conundrum, presented by his successful election, as compared with our maintained conception of the American voter, While Trump did lose in the calculation of the popular vote, he did have enough votes to entitle him to a victory, as assigned by the Electoral College (the latter, a retrogressive, non-democratic institution hopefully, before long, to be relegated, to that dust bin of errant history). Still, we have puzzled and worried about the nature of that substantial portion of our citizenry, who, in fact, did support and vote for, such an uneducated, errant, despoiler of all that has admiringly been, traditional America?

One validly determined reason, appeared to be, that too many, reasonable and informed Americans, normally voters, committed the costly error, of choosing not to vote; founded, foolishly, as it was revealed, upon their dislike of both candidates. However, we still struggled, mightily with the dilemma, as to the nature of the millions of Americans, who did choose to vote for such a publicly known, despicable persona, as Donald Trump.

After much agonizing deliberation, we have, courageously, decided, to reveal our nuanced, esoteric, and unconventional determination, (theory), one that could, despite its novelty, serve the office of an acceptable explanation, for the unusual and widely unexpected, election outcome.

We have (privately) held the [unprovable, but useful] theory that, although mankind has attained its evolutionary goal, in his anatomical or physical, development, he is still engaged, in the more complicated and sophisticated, process, of the attainment of his mental and spiritual, evolutionary goal.

Assuming, our unconventional theory is capable of some acceptability, it would greatly assist, in furnishing an acceptable explanation for the wide variation, extant in our population between educated, advanced citizens, with inclinations to mature prospective, including assistance to the endangered, immigrant and, in general, to the needy, as well as a strict moral adhesion to the social contract, and, by sheer contrast, the ignorant, flat earth citizenry, who oppose immigration [in addition to general human advancement] and for such reason, supported Trump. Pursuant to our daring and newly propounded theory, the latter, like tonsils and appendix, are “vestigial”, humans, in some degree or other, viz., less evolved, and antique replications, remnants, of atavistic stages, along the course of man’s evolutionary progress to a final goal of “spiritual evolution.” Like the homo sapiens, of the Dark Ages, they, instinctively, subscribe to Trump’s rant, concerning the dangers of immigration (admitting strangers) based on his revival of such primitive, and anachronistic fear. There are also others, no doubt, somewhat, “vestigial,” who are racially and fearfully, opposed to immigration, on the tribal grounds, that we are changing the color of America. This, overriding, primordial fear of “the stranger” (immigration), causes these atavistic, vestigial remnants of the past, to opt, to turn a blind eye to the many egregious monstrosities, that personify him, and vote for Donald J. Trump.

Those who would question our newly proposed theory, by positing that (in our era) the previous President, Barack Obama, was, unquestionably, an avatar of excellent rule, might be reminded, that “vestigial” folk, usually do not vote. However, they, uncharacteristically, did vote in the Trump election for reasons, notably, including, snake-oil, demagoguery and shameful, misrepresentations by Trump, and his campaign, as to his stand on immigration, and on his false, purported, social (tribal) similarity to such atavistic voters.

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