Category: Uncategorized

As a preface to this writing, we would declare two consequential principles.  First, we are sincerely in favor of progressive change, in every conceivable area; scientific, intellectual, societal and technical with the sole proviso, however, that, the change, ultimately, redounds to the benefit of humankind. Second, this writing is a hybrid, containing, a critical, serious and illustrative review of so-called societal “advances,” and changes, which, intrinsically have, or portend, retrograde results. The presented changes and “advances,” have been selected, in an attempt to dispute a commonly held, reductionist conceit, that any new change, is progressive..

                                                       RECENT CHANGES and “ADVANCEMENTS”

[The Smartphone]: The catastrophic advent of the “Smartphone, resulted from society’s willing surrender and thoughtless exchange of invaluable, personal interactive conversation, for cold, inexpressive, and mistimed, digital symbols, transmitted onto a small, handheld, lighted, screen by one party (only) to the desired interaction. The relatively insignificant benefits, of facility and convenience, has been foolishly elevated above the devastating loss of vital intimacy and humanism, so needed, in these troubling times of societal divisiveness and dysfunction.

[Alexa, remote television controls]:  The public is eternally, chided, in the public media, for its unhealthy lifestyle, relative to its lack of physical exercise and the issuance of dire warnings of the  dire pathological consequences, attendant upon being a “couch potato.” In this context, a plethora of commercials, are daily broadcasted, hawking various and sundry exercise machines, gym programs, all persuasively accentuating, the medical proscription of inactivity.

Yet, television remote appliances and sound-generated activities permit the individual to satisfactorily, accomplish desired tasks without the necessity of motion, the latter developments, being a boon to couch potatoes and anathema to the promotion of exercise. The reader may wish to read our earlier essay, entitled, ”Who Invited Alexa?”

[Fitbit pedometers]  Normally, the length of an intended walk or jog is calculated and considered, in advance. The extent of the intended distance is, easily, and normally, measurable, by reference to the established and fixed, objective measures of distance.  The number of steps, (which would vary with the individual), to be assessed by the Fitbit, understandably, can only be of interest to the obsessive personality; since the objective measurements of distance are miles, yards and feet. In any color or style, the Fitbit pedometer, seems properly, attributable, to personal insecurity or hypochondria.

[Hands-free driving, braking, parking] It is empirically rational, to assume that every ownership of an automobile, portends the eventual need for repair. The automobile repair business, consequently, accordingly, has been a consistently needed and thriving area of enterprise, since the advent of Ford’s Model T. It is empirically, foreseeable, that the robotic automotive device, which governs these newly advanced functions, particularly, the “benefit” of the “hands-free” robotic function, like all automotive parts will, predictably, degrade, causing disastrous results. Like many “advancements,” the desirability of this ridiculous indulgence, is far outweighed,   by its potential for disaster.

Additionally, please be on notice, that the operation of robot vacuum cleaner can be hazardous to nervous household cats.

[Changed sense of Nationhood]: The recent, uniquely, disastrous term of Donald J. Trump, presaged a significant worsening of a subtle, latent, National divisiveness, formerly, plaguing the Nation. Trump, tactically, exacerbated the dangerous condition, to the degree that neighbor shunned neighbor, in the event of his maintenance of disparate views. In accordance with the stereotypically,  autocratic playbook, Trump disparaged truthful facts, in favor of “alternate reality,” attacked the media, expressed approval of right-wing bigotry, appealed to selfish, xenophobic Americans, by his obdurate opposition to immigration, disrespected the Constitution and the Rule of Law, as well as societally prescribed morality. Such anti-establishment behavior, apparently, appealed to the discontented, insufficiently educated and poorly informed, citizens, who voted him in, tactically, supported by financing from industrialists who value profits over (regulations protecting) health.

The ensuring alteration, or material change, from our traditional feelings of democracy, amounts to another example of unfortunate, recent change. The historically, reverenced, identification with, and pride of Nation, on the part of many of the citizenry, has declined and morphed from the faith in government to conspiracy, ideation and disrespect; obviously, a current alteration for the worse.

[The infernal Karaoke]  The Karaoke, as known, is a relatively recent development, in which people, aided by a microphone, sing along to an instrumental rendition of a well-known song, with the deletion of its singer.  This mechanical advance is, apparently, of great pleasure to the user, who has never ( for good reason)  sung in public before. The usual result is a flat, off-tune travesty, unnoticed by the musically engrossed performer. It may reasonably, be understood, as a rare opportunity or franchise, for formerly muted, would-be singers, but in its impact, amounts to auditory trauma for listeners. There are those who opine that the Karaoke was Japan’s revenge regarding its loss in the World War

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                                                          SUGGESTIONS FOR MODERN USEFUL INNOVATIONS

For those readers who stubbornly, persist in adamantly, maintaining the view that “changes,” by definition,  are improvements, we would offer the following innovative, subjects for suggested, future development and business entrepreneurship:

Organically raised plant-based, neckties and T-shirts

Recyclable (paper) facial tissues, for the chronically allergic

Alexa- driven, rapid to moderate speed, knitting needles

Permanent non-slip banana peels (two yr. warranty)

Foghorn doorbells for the residential hearing challenged

Eatable (vegan) pencil erasers, for accountants, auditors and teens

Reusable chewing gum with personalized carrier

After-shave lotion- marinated, safety razors

Light gray or black colored chalk

Italian style, pepperoni pizza-flavored, bubble gum

Eatable nail polish and savory gardening gloves (vegan, gluten-free)

Environmental process, converting sawdust to eatable ingredients for hamburger, baking mixtures, etc.

Confectionary, pink-colored, foot and body powder

Musical (classic or rock) push brooms

There are too many potential new changes and creatively, inspired advancements to fully set forth. The defining quality and considered value of innovation is their beneficially, sole value.

-p.

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The present title reflects our utilization of an analogy, often encountered in classic literature, between age and the seasons of the year, a useful and aesthetic conceit, as empirically descriptive as it is poetic. In classic literature and poetics, for example, a marriage between a young, attractive woman and a wizened old man has often been termed, a “May-December” marriage. The title also contains the word, “early,” the latter adjective, selected, upon our optimistic assumption that our lifetime GPS, is still, actively engaged, in directing it forward.

We are acutely aware, that any negative observation, made in our perception of the Nation’s present state of affairs, may accrue the risk of inviting reductive comment, to the effect that, underlying the merits of our criticism, is the classic, fundamental discontent with growing old. We would adamantly, reject this possible assessment, with the sole caveat, that it may possess some degree of verisimilitude, limited, solely, to our current state of physical capability or prowess. It is far from accurate relative to our experientially, developed, perceptive or cognitive, capabilities. The latter declaration has been discussed in our earlier essay, “Old Age is Not a Disease,” in which we commented upon the satisfaction, inherent in the attainment of mature perception, relative to the understanding of the self, and the circumstances of one’s life; a discernment, which, empirically, appears to be available, only to the thoughtful individual of sufficient age and experience.  Accordingly, we have declared, that for us, these elder years have been the happiest and most fulfilling of our extant life experience. Thus, we would again emphasize, that our following observations on the National scene are empirically, derived, and not the end-product of subjective nuance or personal circumstance.

To venture an adequate and useful audit of the salient characteristics of our Nation, since the era of FDR and the Second World War, would be to create a virtually, unlimited retrospective of technological and resultant, social changes. However, what we find most significant, is the extreme and readily, discernable, “sea change” in the American citizen’s perception of his “Nationhood.” It is in this context, which we have selected the theme of this writing.

To attempt to recollect the Nation, during the anxious years of the Second World War, is to reprise an American population, not only unified by the threat of the aggressive Axis Powers but, as well, affirmatively, prideful, of its mutual identification as American citizens. Able-bodied young men,  left home to engage in perilous, foreign military service, War Bonds were purchased by American citizens, in aid of the war effort, volunteer night marshals, uniformly, bearing flashlights, badges and wearing white helmets, scanned the skies for enemy aircraft, citizens participated in rationing programs for fuel, rubber, nylon, metals, coffee, butter and other sundry items, schoolchildren collected scrap metals, rubber and other, discarded materials, needed for the war effort. American families routinely tuned their radios to President Franklin Roosevelt’s weekly “fireside chats” as well as anxiously followed daily radio reports, on the current progress of the war. There was a uniformly, strong sense of Nationhood and an unmistakable pride in citizenship. Americans, jointly and joyfully, celebrated the end of the war and the great victory of America and its allies, over the Axis Powers. However, in the interest of candor, it needs, disappointingly, to be said, that notwithstanding, the equally dedicated and sacrificial part, performed by black American citizens, during wartime, the moral cause of universal racial equality, continued, as it contemporaneously, continues, to progress, too slowly.

If we choose to fast-forward approximately, seventy-five years, we are obliged to discern, that the earlier sense of American patriotic kinship, and sense of “Nation,” has significantly, metamorphosed and declined. For many Americans, it continues to be a regular source of pride, for others, no more than their designated citizenship. Regrettably, for certain (radical) others, it is no more meaningful, than a tenuously, or even a reluctantly, acknowledged admission.

Our optimistic founders anticipated the regular practice of responsible citizens of goodwill, engaging in neighborly debate concerning the controversial issues of the day, the results of which would be useful in the proper guidance of our representative democracy. Instead, hotly contested and divisive issues, like gun regulation and abortion rights, reared their bellicose heads and led to a highly divisive Nation; one in which peaceful discussion between disagreeing citizens became socially impossible, where, citizen’s love of Nation and insular groups of common opinion (“group think”) were formed which maintained acrimonious relations with like groups of divergent opinion. Citizen loyalties, affiliations and declared preferences, seemed now to be unceremoniously, redirected from the Nation to petty and arbitrary, loyalties and upon partisan opinion. Such highly divisive political setting afforded arable land for planting the seeds of a skilled demagogue, bearing universal, but unspecific, promises of solution.   

The surprising election of Donald J. Trump provided a good measure of noticeable status, to such divisive, discontented and radical Americans, who identified with his unschooled, populist views and personalized loyalties. Notwithstanding, the fact that Trump’s one term in office, earned him the utter disrespect of mainstream America, (resulting in Congressional Impeachment) it, perversely secured for him, a significant, cult-like, loyalty of a large, populist, inadequately educated and unformed, citizens. Such loyalties to that, incapable and unprincipled, but demagogic, leader, appears to have survived his   frequent, publicly witnessed wrongdoing and his election loss to Joseph Biden

This huge “underbelly” of our Nation, loyally sympathetic to Trump’s, autocratic policies, notably, his “Big Lie,” (stolen election) undeniably, demonstrated that their loyalties were not to the democratic Nation, but to the corrupt and autocratic Trump. Their most flagrant, anti-democratic action, amounted to an attempted and failed, coup d’état, violently staged at the Washington Capital Building, bizarrely and autocratically, invited by the defeated, candidate, Donald J. Trump. The violent and bloody insurrection failed, but not before the causation of several deaths, grievous injuries, and destruction of valuable property. However, the worst damage, in essence, was to the previous universal confidence in the fundamental system of voting, underlying and defining our democracy.

We expect that the near future will reveal whether, a creatively, idealized, 300 year old democratic Nation, populated by a mainstream of people, appropriately proud of their association with its enlightened polity, viz., a republican democracy, together with its many associated liberties, will survive the recently, developing cold winds of autocracy, generated, by a large, worrisome, cohort of hapless, ignorant citizens, thoughtlessly, unaware of its historically predictable, tragic circumstances.

-p.

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It was during the four terms of Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, (following the “Great Depression” of 1929), that our Nation beneficially, noted and experienced, the existential importance of governmental “Compassionate Capitalism;” contrasted with the approach to the National economy of the prior President, Herbert Hoover’s, “trickle down,” theory. Americans, were thereafter, spared the cruel, unlimited misery and privation, accompanying orthodox, laissez-faire (Natural Law) economics, by Roosevelt’s, novel and empathic programs of governmental assistance.  From that era to the present, Americans have been beneficially, afforded such governmental programs of “Compassionate Capitalism” as, social security, death, disability and sick benefits, minimum wage, unemployment benefits, welfare relief, labor protections regarding work conditions and reduced hours, public health and safety regulations, unemployment and health benefits as parts of a veritable, cornucopia, of needed and salutary, citizen entitlements.

Such governmental programs of assistance became regular features of our modernized dynamic of free enterprise economy. Yet it remains frustrating and unsettling, that certain reductionist citizens, (who, thoughtlessly, are themselves, dependent upon, and in happy acceptance of, such Federal and State, generosity) persist in vociferously, indicting all governmental assistance as “socialism,” and, ipso facto, evil. We are truly exhausted with the necessity of constant reminder to such people, that “Socialism,” is a form of government, in which all industry and business, is owned by the Government, (I.e., the “people”); and, relevantly, that there never has existed a National desire for socialism. In fact, programs of compassionate capitalism, considered, from a tactical viewpoint, are the most efficacious way of eliminating any appeal or degree of acceptability, of that theoretical and unworkable, form of government. Nevertheless, it is in frustrated, anticipation, of the persistence of such, reductionist and chronic, misunderstanding of the term, by some uninformed citizens, that prompted us, once more, to attempt to contradistinguish any such uninformed, irrelevant and, totally, inapplicable, perception.  

A signature feature of any self-sustaining, secure and strong Nation, undisputedly, is its possession of adequate natural and human resources. We have, noted, the American government’s appropriate appreciation and valuation of its “Natural Resources,” including, oil, coal, natural gas, clean water, lumber, steel and arable soil. It is our present position, however, that, aside from the beneficial, citizen policies, alluded to above, it has, in many respects, not, realistically and tactically, perceived the citizenry, itself, as America’s most significant, and ultimately, determinative resource.

An instructive illustration of such declaration, i.e., that the population of a country, is its salient resource, was, empirically demonstrated by the Germany of the 1930s and 1940s. This, relatively, small European nation, by virtue of the quality and nature of its society, i.e. easily mobilized, literate and informed, came close, to conquering the entire World. This historical example (and others, viz., Ukraine) makes clear, that, even more, consequent than the ready accessibility of natural resources, an efficiently, mobile, and educated, population constitutes the salient resource of a strong and enduring, Nation.

In this context, America needs to cultivate and dedicatedly, curate, the potentially high quality of its citizens, as well as, (perhaps, more crucially, than) its inventory of available, natural resources. An educated, informed, and healthy citizenry is the recipe for a stable and militarily, secure nation.

In keeping with such perception, we are disappointed and concerned with a discernably, insufficient, governmental concern and participation, in the contemporary, inordinately, expensive, areas of higher education and citizen health care; the latter, most notable, in the cost of hospital visits and treatment.

In the context of the existential need for well-educated, and informed, citizens, America is, visibly, hampered by a large and worrisome, cohort of inadequately educated and poorly, informed, (“underbelly”) of useless, Trump sycophants. As a practical matter, there may be little prospect of their renaissance to enlightenment, which sad reality, exponentially, increases the urgent need for sufficient governmental educational assistance, for the remaining, mainstream citizenry of the Nation.

The Federal and State governments, in the existential interest of security, peace and prosperity of our Nation, (and the success of its aspiring students) should legislate policies of meaningful financial assistance to the institutions and the students in the area of higher education. It appears that a great many potentially valuable citizens, find the present cost of higher education prohibitively exorbitant, and consequently, refrain from developing their personal potential, as well as their concomitant development into a valuable, National asset. Adequate financial assistance to students, of higher education and to their institutions of learning, is consequential, in the secure maintenance of a democratic republic, as well as the personal development and advance of its constituent population. We would suggest dramatic reductions in required tuition, the difference made up by governmental subsidy.

A fit condition, as well, is an inarguably, fundamental keystone, of a Nation’s human resources.  Thus, it is in the affirmative interest of the continued maintenance of our democratic republic, to promulgate and sustain policies whose effects are protective and promotional, of the good health of this existentially, important resource.

The public has experienced the painful challenge, of the prohibitive and consequential, cost of health care, the most glaring, being the charges to individuals requiring hospital stay. In analogous fashion to our recommendations concerning college tuition assistance, we would suggest the salutary practice of significantly, reducing hospital charges to the financially challenged patient with the deficiency in cost to the hospital, reimbursed, by governmental expenditure. This entitlement, would additionally, eliminate as applicable, the citizen need for expensive premiums for health insurance.

The unique and vital place, in society, enjoyed by institutions of higher learning and hospitals, would seem to differentiate or remove, such societally necessary entities, from the normal context of independent commercial enterprise. Their existential effect on the continued existence of our, often challenged, democratic republic, in our view, makes obligatory the two suggested areas of assistance to the citizen; the latter, inarguably, constituting, America’s most essential resource.

-p.    

`               It has been equally terrifying and satisfying, to take note of the many media accounts of individuals, incarcerated for decades, who are, ultimately, found to be innocent of the relevant crime by the utilization of new, scientific techniques, developed over the years in the crime lab. The earlier techniques, fingerprints, footprints and later, blood analysis, have advanced to include such factors as DNA analysis and other chemical and biological techniques. Contemporary, Statutory criminality, unlike earlier, criminality, can thus, be validly, attributed with science. History, by contrast, reveals an uncountable number of horrendous, human atrocities, by man against others of his species, only revealed, by educative reason and objective reading of factually validated, historical sources.

Errors in the just attribution of guilt, empirically, are, unfortunately, numerous and eternal. In an earlier essay, we take issue with the “Original Sin” conceit of many western religions. In our view, as has been observed, the choice of Biblical language, in this instance, is the “DNA” indicating the error in the very concept of Man’s universal sin, for which he is, responsibly, tasked, religiously, with lifetime repentance.

Adam (primitive) man, accompanied by his mate, early woman (Eve), come to the “Garden of Eden,” where they encounter the forbidden, “Tree of Knowledge,” on the bough of which, a snake lies coiled. The snake (“serpent”) induces Eve to give Adam an apple, which he sinfully, eats. Thereafter, the couple, as “punishment,” for the “eating fruit from the forbidden tree of knowledge, (“Original Sin”) are banished, forever from the Garden of Eden.

Any student of classical mythology is doubtlessly, aware that a snake (“serpent”) was the eternal symbol of fertility (possibly, a “Freudian” reference). It does not require much of a stretch of the imagination to, accordingly, see the snake (fertility) coiled on a bough of the “Tree of Knowledge,” as representing, mental fertility, or the capacity for self-awareness. Adam, thereafter, discovers his nakedness (awareness of self) and the first couple was, as punishment, banished, from the Garden of Eden (ignorance), forever. Is the acquisition of self-awareness, or the ability to reason, sinful?

 Moreover, the myth’s relation that Eve offered the apple (knowledge) to Adam has been perceived by us as an extremely laudatory assertion (to women) that Homo sapiens’ capability for intelligence, or awareness, was, originally, given by women to man. It is, nothing short of uncanny to note, in this respect, that women, like the Greek, (Prometheus), were thereafter, punished, as the bringer of knowledge to Mankind, in the latter case, by the general award of secondary status.

However, empirically, objective, instances, suitably labeled, “Original Sin,” historically, do exist, which, are in bright contrast to those that are mythical or Biblical. Empirical depictions of truly, venal, “Original Sin,” are shown for example, by the many revelations of mistreatment and cruelty, historically, and eternally, practiced, against indigenous peoples, in our nation, as well as elsewhere. It is an ineradicable blemish on the human persona, that such unspeakably, immoral and devastating acts, are perpetrated against vulnerable, or minority people, with the confirmation or disinterest of the dominant population.

Our Nation, the land of liberty and freedom is, forever charged, with the instances of kidnapping of uncountable hundreds of indigenous American children from their parents and families, to live in military barracks and be converted to “civilized,” Christianity.  We read and hear heard about, critical, r drug and alcohol use by such people, but eschew any understanding, of the acts of destruction of their supportive, venerable and stable culture by religiously, biased, Evangelical Christians.

Our Nation can also atone for the cruel, tragic and prejudiced, acts of displacement of peaceful Native Americans, from their ancient, arable lands of Southeastern United States, to territories thought, ”more suitable for redskins,” viz.,  the windswept non-arable plains of Oklahoma. Such wrongful displacement, referred to in the literature, as “The Trail of Tears,” resulted in great suffering, many deaths, and the uprooting of the culture and societal foundations of an admirable and self-sustaining people. This historical wrong may be also includable, in the misused phrase, “Original Sin.”   

During the halcyon days of the British Empire’s, Rudyard Kipling and Queen Victoria, the “civilizing” program, ethnocentrically, and evangelically, called, “The White Man’s Burden,” represented the reductive misunderstanding of the culture of many productively, peaceful, indigenous peoples and led to the decimation of their historic cultures. Belgium, Spain, France, Portugal, as well as America, have historically been, among such, sinful offenders. If there, conceivably, were any utility to the bizarre and empirically, irrational phrase, “Original Sin,” these arrogant, ethnocentric, nations, would justly, and deservedly, be entitled to its, censorious application.

We are responsibly required, to include in the list of wrongdoers who qualify for the subject phrase, those Americans, who kidnapped innocent, black human beings from their traditional homes in Africa and elsewhere, commercially separated their families, and, unforgivably, robbed them of their lives and humanity, for many generations of cruel chattel slavery. The full and just expiation, of this, American. “Original Sin,” unhappily, still seems to be a work in progress.

-p.

It was just a same old, same old, pre-dawn, weekday morning in Gallery City. Marshal Artz,  so as not to awaken” Prudie” (Prudence), his wife of thirteen years, slid, stealthily, out of bed to perform his quotidian, morning duties which, importantly, included, switching off the two large, revolving searchlights on the roof, de-fusing the four landmines, strategically, located in the lawn, checking the ammo on the spring gun in the backyard, turning off two, of the four, home alarm systems and warming up his camouflaged, Humvee, for his later commutation to work.  

After breakfast, he, dutifully, reminded Prudie of the City Council Meeting, late that afternoon and the possibility, that he would be a little late coming home. As customary, Prudence woke the son and daughter, Audie (named in honor of military hero, Audie Murphy) and Annie (named in memory of Annie Oakley), for morning family muster and chow (breakfast).

At breakfast, Prudie, found it necessary to admonish the children for goldbricking in the performance of their morning assignments, lest they miss the daily, armed, military personnel carrier that takes them to school. After breakfast, Marshal kissed Audie and the children, holstered his loaded, Glock, and mounted his Humvee for commutation for work. The two children, dutifully  wearing their school-issued steel helmets and Kevlar jackets, from their, “Remember the Alamo,” High School,  waited for the armed personnel carrier while Prudie, quickly and securely, locked and bolted all of the doors and windows of the house, in time to be picked- up, for food shopping, by one of supermarket’s fleet of armored jeeps,

At the conclusion of his busy workday, Marshal, employed as an assistant chemist, at Ivermectin Laboratories, LLC, and an elected City Councilman, lost no time in proceeding to the meeting room of the Special Session of the Gallery City Council; the irregular meeting called to discuss the issue of the proposed purchase of a large, military howitzer, from the U.S. Defense Department, to, defensively, stand guard at the City entrance. A hotly contested issue had been raised, by certain, loudly objecting, Council Members, who preferred, as protection, the acquisition of two military-grade rocket launchers, to be defensively placed, at each of two entrances to Gallery City. The kernel of the contested issue was not financial, but rather the argumentative objection, that the howitzer’s single-shot canon, however devastating in impact, would not be as effective a defensive a deterrent, as the rapid multi-firing, rocket launcher. Marshal, a responsible husband, telephoned home, to indicate that he would not be returning for the family’s usual dinnertime. After a grueling and heated, four-hour debate, the parties reached a consensus agreement, to a military howitzer, one rocket launcher and four daisy chain land mines (viz., two, surface mines, undetectably, buried at each City entrance).

As extensively, reported in the Wistful Times, exactly, two months following the expensive purchase and installation of the defensive equipment, (as approved, officially, by the City Council),  the Wistful community, on a certain, Wednesday midnight, experienced a sudden and shocking, Hiroshima- size explosion, at both of its guarded entrances. The shock waves from the huge and unexpected, fiery explosion, as well as its thick black and gray fumes, were felt and seen, respectively, throughout Wistful City, itself, and, as well,  the surprised and traumatized, neighbor, the historic, and peaceable, indigenous Village, of “Sesame Y. Knot.” It was concluded, after investigation, by the City Council that it was the movement of squirrels or opossums, of which the area has a plentitude, must have set off both sets of mines, which were installed just beneath the surface, causing all of the ordinance, including the pile of howitzer shells, to ignite and explode.

It may be interesting and instructive, to note that the neighboring Indian Village, is known to have, eternally, lived in peace and safety, employing, as (rarely) necessary for its protection, simply, bows and arrows and the occasional long spear, throughout the history of its many centuries of residence.

Two weeks following the occurrence of the awesome fiery explosion, the City Council, appropriately, sent a delegation to the neighbor, the nearby, indigenous American Villagers, bearing gifts and expressing profuse apology for the effects, of the dangerous and horrific experience. The Chief and, leader, Wise Old Owl, was gracious and forgiving and had generously arranged for a sumptuous meal, for the delegation of City Councilmen, together with his own, extended family. During the deliciously prepared main course, consisting of sweet wild duck and fire-roasted vegetables, Marshal, could not resist, asking the wise, old and empathic Chief, a question, which had perseverated in his consciousness. “How can it be possible, that you and your tribe, with only bows and arrows for protection, have resided, for so many generations, in safety and peace; while we, with all of our protective ordinance and advanced military weapons, are not safe?”

The elderly, wise Chief, smiled and replied, somewhat condescendingly, “The threat of danger, all too often exists, as you painfully have learned, by the existence of, “protective” weapons, and their asinine and reductive, possessors.”  

-p.

We would refer to Voltaire’s, satirical novel, “Candide,” read, decades ago, as college freshmen. In the plot, the protagonist, Candide, experiences crushing, disappointment upon, painfully, learning by experience, the complete fallacy in the (Leibnitz’s) optimistic philosophy, taught to him, by his childhood tutor, viz., “It is the best of all worlds,” and, “Everything happens for the best.”  At the conclusion of the novel, Voltaire portrays the miserable and defeated, protagonist, exhaustedly, as exclaiming (Voltaire’s lesson) that man should (just) “stay home and plant his own garden.”

At the time, we summarily dismissed Voltaire’s pessimistic advice, which served to negate our then, virtually, “Quixotic,” mindset, anticipating our bold, yet untested plans, for significant future contributions toward a more morally improved and societally advanced, mankind. We were dismayed, at age eighteen, at the pessimism of the great philosopher, and, reactively, questioned the purported greatness of his reputation as a referenced thinker. We, did also, subtly, speculate somewhat, at the remote possibility, that Voltaire’s pessimistic view was worthy of acceptance, and whether he was, in reality, sadly, declaring a sage, and empirically, analytic conclusion.

As time and maturity evolved, we became apprised of a profusion of unsavory periods in our National history and, unhappily, as well, in contemporary, society, and were, to a degree, prompted to understand and give proportionate acknowledgment to Voltaire’s pessimistic, observations. However, we did not, as Voltaire advised, “stay home and plant our own garden” (vegetables); albeit, apprising ourselves of certain empirical, negative phenomena, attributable to humanity and its less than perfect, innate persona. Fortunately, we were, also, greatly relieved to be enabled, by experience, to perceive, as well, a great many positive, uplifting, and admirable features evinced by man’s societal behavior.

On our Nation’s perceived, negative, side, the declarations, “that this is the best of all worlds,” and, “all things happen for the best,” are easily disproven, by its historical record of, enslavement of black people and the slow and contested, contemporary efforts toward universal equality, by the persistent, existence of its violent, Nazi-style, White Christian Militias and their sympathizers; by the existence of a vast number of inadequately, educated and ill- informed citizens, the latter, proven vulnerable, to demagogic influence and, accordingly, evincing  acceptance of instructed, “alternate facts” and delusional ideation, in derogation of metaphysical truth; by the inability to regulate its overabundance of firearms, despite countless instances of horrific shooting tragedies; by its angry divisiveness and partisan roadblocks to progress, in the attainment of universal equality, including, (unconstitutional, religious) prohibition of women’s natural authority as to their own bodies,; by widespread lack of concern, regarding environmental issues, including, global warming, and further, by selfish opposition to immigration (in a Nation, populated 100% by immigrants and their progeny).

Yet, on the positive side, weighed against such negative phenomena, specified above, are, many idealistically, positive features of the Nation. These include programs of compassionate capitalism, freedom of speech, and peaceable action, progress in civil and gender rights, citizen voting rights and the attendant dynamics, of a representative democracy, a steadily improving justice system, concern for safety and health, as declared in labor, food and medical regulations, a National Constitution,  limiting the rights of the federal government to interfere with the basic rights of citizens (Bill of Rights), schools, universities, professional schools and other institutions of learning and advancement, libraries and museums, hospitals and clinics, concert halls and other institutions of aesthetic experience and growth.

In the philosophy (of Leibnitz), satirized in Candide, it seems to us that the most egregious error is its, all-encompassing, universal generality, painting all human experience and the world, itself, in bright, Pollyannaish colors. A great deal of the World’s phenomena, good and bad, are not subject to human control. Among the good, are, rain, breezes, sunlight, and change of seasons, flowers, sun and moonlight; and bad,  global warming, windstorms, frigid weather, floods, landslides, disease and volcanic eruption. When the satirized philosopher, Leibnitz, declared that it was the “best of all possible worlds,” we shall dare to assume that he was not referring to the natural phenomena.

With specific reference to Leibnitz’s satirized philosophy that “everything happens for the best,” to the extent that it relates to human character and behavior,” we, as an empirical matter, need not require Voltaire’s, brilliant, literary novel for critical instruction. However, the philosopher’s chosen, symbolic recommendation, to “stay home and plant your garden,” understood, in its usual, literal meaning may have some practical and realistic merit.  

-p.

We would take the liberty, at the outset of this writing, to pose some pithy questions. What is the persona of a young man who, fully dressed in body armor, brings guns to his town’s elementary school (grades two to four), and intentionally, kills (nineteen) little children and a schoolteacher? What, indeed, is the essential character of a Nation that possesses a far greater number of firearms than people? What is the moral compass of Congress and the many State Legislatures that do nothing to ameliorate the many replications of such tragic events, as the above referenced, school shooting at Uvalde Texas, and similar tragedies, at venues such as Columbine, Park Lane, Sandy Hook, Buffalo and so many others? Why do analogous shootings of peaceful American citizens and their children, take place, at public spaces, like supermarkets, parking lots, streets, parks and jogging trails? Why are the school shooters, usually, teen-age males? Why, disturbingly, and shamefully, do such horrible events occur fifty-seven times more often in our country than others? Why does our Congress, unconscionably, persist in valuing weapons of war, above human life? It all seems, bizarre and incomprehensible.

Reports indicate that in the year ending 2021, mass casualty shootings in our Nation totaled, six hundred and ninety-three and for the previous two years, six hundred eleven, and four hundred seventeen;   despite the fact that, eighty-five percent of Americans favor gun registration and regulation. In the context of our representative democracy, the situation seems, logically, and empirically, questionable.

Since the partisan (Republican Party), reading, of the Second Amendment was approved by the Supreme Court, viz., that every American has the right to own and use weapons, the rich and powerful gun lobby has, joyfully, experienced great financial success, and the vulnerable American citizen and his family, have experienced terror and tragedy.

 Accurately read, in the context of the relevant period’s history, the Second Amendment, was intended to inscribe a negotiated settlement of an early, hotly contested, dispute, regarding the issue of the desirability of a central (Federal) government ( the Federalists) versus independent State rule (State’s Rightists). The hard fought, historical, settlement, affirmed the establishment of a Central government,(Federal) and, as well, left the individual States independent but permitted, respectively, to have standing militias (“the People”), the latter to have the right to bear arms. Our once, revered Supreme Court incorrectly, and irresponsibly, gave gun interests, the franchise to reap great profits at the evident expense of the imperiled American citizen. Scores of politically, motivated and improper rulings by the much-diminished SCOTUS, relative to other issues, were to follow.

The fundamental problem is that the gun issue has inappropriately, and essentially, become political and partisan, as sadly contrasted with the inarguably, relevant and vital matter, of citizen safety. The Nation’s paramount issue of the life and welfare of American citizens, was, shockingly, overridden, (“Trumped”) by, undemocratic political, and money interests; supported, largely by the Republican right, whose influence has, unhealthily, metastasized to the majority of the current constituency of the U.S. Supreme Court.

It is no less than, shamefully, irresponsible, that nothing to ameliorate the problem has, to date, been done, by Congress, regarding the issue of easily accessible, guns in the hands of the wrong people. It is, empirically, evident that such inaction is perceived as an implicit government endorsement of unregulated firearms ownership.  As was said by the late, poetic, Ellie Wiesel, in a slightly different context, “The opposite of love, is not hate, but indifference.” In the context of this writing, we feel that the absence of respect for life is money’s influence on political ambition and humanistic morality.

What can a rational person conclude, about a democracy, respecting a Nation, in which a vast number of voters favor the regulation of firearms (in Governor Abbot’s Texas, it is reported that only 18% of the voters oppose background checks), and yet, their elected representatives, selfishly and irresponsibly, act otherwise, in their financial, or political, self-interest, in favor of special interests?

We are at the present, apprehensively, awaiting yet another, predictably, partisan (Republican) political travesty, founded on analogous, political ambition and selfish disregard for the welfare of the citizen. The political gurus seem confident, in their prediction that the current politically tainted, SCOTUS, will, similarly, responsive to special interests, overturn the settled, half-century, precedential, decision, in Roe v. Wade, which constitutionally and legally, assured to women the natural and basic liberty to make, medically safe, decisions concerning their own body.

It is ineluctably clear, that our contemporary, problems are not founded, specifically, on the issues of the propriety of guns or of abortion, per se, but arise, fundamentally, as a by-product of the selfish ambition, greed and irresponsibility, of many of our political leaders and lawmakers.

-p.

Last Friday’s edition of the local newspaper for the tiny hamlet of Wistful Vista, Vermont, (pop. 186),  carried a notice of the betrothal of the town’s endocrinologist, Doctor Hugh Fingerstick, to his former high school squeeze, Elvira Swine, the latter, his nurse of forty-two years. Notably, as reported in the Village Newspaper, this will be the fourth marriage celebrated between the parties; the seemingly, indecisive, couple has been previously, married to each other, and mutually divorced, three times. Both are a healthy, chipper, 82 years of age.

The lavish wedding ceremony, as reported, is to take place, June 12, 1:30 P.M., rain or shine (guests are advised to bring sturdy umbrellas), at the large batting cage of the Wistful Vista Little League Field, located behind the Village Hall. The location was specifically, selected for its symbolical significance, in the optimistic hope, this time, of a late-inning, successful and enduring, outcome.

The newspaper further stated that, as a practical matter, there is scant expectation of a significantly large turnout since most invited (and still surviving), guests, have previously, been through the analogous experience, no less than three times; but, perhaps, most notably, since the bride, has resolutely, announced that she, despite, popular, negative advice, is planning to wear her new, platinum blond wig, recently purchased by her at the beauty counter of the local Walmart, for the occasion.

Their only child, (born of their second marriage), Ms. Willa Swine Fingerstick, is expected to attend. It may be remembered, that Willa is known to be an academic professional, teaching, as full professor, the didactic course, “Baroque Barnyard Architecture,” at Southern Jejune University, and additionally, the renowned author of the naturalist textbook, “The Sex Life of Rock Lichens,” as well as a  best-selling and incisive, action- sports- romance novel, ”Ping Pong Marriage.”

The Village newspaper announced that the pastor, to preside over the wedding, is to be, Dr. Carlos I. Yonosay. The Reverend is an accomplished, Biblical Scholar, long affiliated, with the prestigious, Community Church, “Our Lady of Rare Indiscretion,” located in the adjoining township of Sesame Falls. The wedding sermon, as advised, will be entitled, “A Bridge Too Far.” The sumptuous wedding feast is to be catered by the local, recently sanctioned and now re-opened, Wistful Burger King, and is to take place, following the nuptials, at its recently, renovated and expertly, fumigated, franchise store.

At an interview of the groom, conducted by Wistful Newspaper’s, society columnist, Ms. Shirley M. Nosey, The groom, prudently, declared: “Couples should allow themselves, ample time to know each other.

The soon to be, newly (re-) married couple, has joyously, announced plans to spend the entire, ten-day honeymoon, at the posh, freshly painted, art deco style, screen porch, located at the rear of the groom’s, longtime, residence (sporting the blond bearskin rug, lava lamp and the newly upholstered, leather,” hot pink” colored swing).

Guests have been advised, that no presents are expected for those who have generously, provided the couple with wedding gifts, for no less than, two, of their previous, three, wedding ceremonies. As announced, the appropriate dress is entirely, optional, with a sole and specific interdiction, regarding soiled, blue jeans. Music, for the wedding procession, and dancing will be provided by the much celebrated, six-man, rock group, “Spastic Colon.”

With the exception of guests, planning to attend the wedding, patients of Dr. Fingerstick,  are encouraged to” lay off” sweets, cake and soda, until he re-opens his office in eleven days. 

The entire Wistful Vista Community wishes the redundantly loving, bride and groom, great happiness and, ultimate, decisive finality.

-p.

Commencing with our attainment of that level of maturity, requisite to the objective perception of the history of the Nation into which we were born, we, albeit, first-generation offspring of European immigrants, have eternally, felt a derivative sense of guilt, regarding America’s period of inhumane enslavement and mistreatment, of black human beings. As we expanded our experience, we were able to discern the plethora of instances of unequal and immoral, treatment of people of color, as, contrasted with “white” members of society. Due to the happenstance of being born, with more melanin in their skin, their future, in this” land of the free”, societally and otherwise, would be, destined to undergo personal challenges, to which we, and other white citizens, are exempt. This automatic exemption, acquired, solely and reductively, on the involuntary happenstance, of our birth with light skin color, is, generally, and acceptably described,  as “white privilege.”

One, understandably, may cultivate a personal sense of innocence, based upon his, inarguable, absence of participation in such hierarchical and unfair, mode of interaction; and, indeed, may deeply despise it, as an atavistic and purely, evil, social phenomenon. Nevertheless, all American citizens, of moral rectitude, it is submitted, are dutifully and responsibly, taxed, with the moral obligation to oppose the existence of prejudicial and cruel behaviors, and to actively, seek universal equality, as inscribed in our National mantra.

Instances of immoral racial inequality, are, unfortunately, legion and readily, observable in matters, such as housing and home purchase, employment and job promotion, finance (including mortgage financing), educational opportunities, health services, brutal police treatment, the justice system, social and residential exclusion, tactical denial of the Nation’s history of slavery, real estate red-lining, interference with minority voting, and, in its more vapid insensitivity, “flesh-colored,” band-aids.

The epitome of anti-American, racial and religious bias has, too often,  been publically demonstrated, by the right-wing extremist groups, known as  White Christian Militias, whose Nazi-style, false propaganda and violence are bitter, nostalgic, reminders of Messrs. Hitler and Mousseline. Their mindset is a paranoid and psychopathic belief, and desire, to eliminate (kill) all individuals who, with the alleged, tactical assistance of wily Jewish advisors, are intent on replacing white Christians them and the established Christian American Nation. Their delusional belief is that “White Man’s Survival,” depends upon the elimination of People of Color. This conspiracy ideation, in common with other lunatic conspiracies, is clearly, insane, and delusional, but also factually skewed. The Founders clearly, articulated, their express, intention to establish a secular (not a “Christian”) Nation and, one, benefiting from, and affording equity to, a foreseeable, diverse, population of citizens, i.e., “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”  In addition to their paranoiac, delusional ideations, these Nazi, look-alikes, violently, pose an existential threat not only to minority Americans but as well, the ultimate survival of our Democratic Republic.

In addition to the personal, moral aspiration of “color blindness,” Americans, notably, white American citizens, have the moral responsibility to ally themselves with their fellow black Americans, in active and affirmative opposition to bigotry and privilege, and in favor of America’s promise:  universal equality and mutual, inter-racial and ethnic, citizen, brotherhood.

It appears to be no longer sufficient, for the ethical white citizen, to, merely, to be “in favor” of universal equity and civil rights. When appropriate, he, as a mainstream American, is morally obliged to, clearly and emphatically, give voice to his principled rejection of racial and ethnic, prejudice,  and anti-democratic screed.

-p.

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The assertion of exclusive ownership of land or “territory,” ownership, individually or tribally, undoubtedly, was one of Mankind’s earliest conceits. It is our assumption that pragmatic considerations of accessibility, safety, availability of natural resources, such as food and water, were among the criteria for desirable domiciliary selection. It would seem likely, that the choicest sites, generally, were allocated, to the more powerful or influential members of the resident tribal society. It is our further presumption that in stationary society, (as compared with nomadic ones), such respective designations of home sites were recognized by members of that society, and were coterminous with its existence and/or the lives of its occupants and their progeny. Our present thematic consideration relates to the metaphysical context of societal recognition of individual assertions of title to real estate ownership.

Initially, it may be useful, to refer, to an earlier writing, concerning the sad story, of our two pear trees. To summarize, we received, as a present, in the late fall season, two “bare root,” (no soil) pear trees. Planting season was two seasons away, but we “miraculously,” were able to keep the precarious, bare branches alive by keeping them moist and very cold (by an open window). We, optimistically, planted them in the spring and, were delighted that they “took,” and thereafter, survived the winter. However, despite their planting in close proximity for pollination purposes, they did not flower for a full eight years. The ninth year they did present white flowers, but only produced one pear (which, for fun, was ceremonially, shared and eaten.) The next (11^th) year they flowered and, happily, bore a small amount of fruit. In Spring, of the twelfth, year, the white flowers being profuse, we arrived at our country house, having purchased a long fruit harvester implement, expecting, at long last, a full, bumper crop of pears, only to find (with the impact of a classic Greek tragedy), that beavers, from the nearby pond, had  chewed down and completely, destroyed both trees.

As we recall, following some pitiful and frustrated, expostulations, we soon were successful in the attainment of a rational evaluation of the experience. The beavers, of course, were properly, doing, that which beavers normally, do, viz., cut down trees, for food and hut building. “Our” trees, indeed, our basic concept of owned property, is, obviously, beyond any cognition or relevance to them. In fact, we soon arrived at the metaphysical conclusion that, from the viewpoint of the natural world, it was not “owned,” by anyone. The ceremonial real estate “closing,” at which papers, were signed and notarized, and funds transferred, was a dance, to which the natural world was not a party. We then came to discern, that, other than to knowledgeable human beings, the utter irrelevance of the established, legal process (of “closing”) of real estate conveyance. Empirically, real estate, with all of its trees, rocks and shrubbery, like all the planet, eternally was, and remains, notwithstanding, the proper domicile and operating franchise of the natural world and its non-human inhabitants and no officially executed documents can make it otherwise.

With the exception of compliant humankind, all of our established and cognizable boundaries, are illusory or perhaps, delusional. Birds, sea life and animals, migrate, heedlessly, as needed, throughout the planet, without fear of trespass or awareness of man’s (time-changing) borders, expressed, assertively, by  the latter, in assertive lines on periodically changing, political or proprietary, maps.

Nevertheless, from what is discernable from Paleolithic times to the present, human land ownership, has been the signature of wealth, power, political and societal legitimacy. In the early days of our constitutional republic, despite its mantra of equality, only (white) men who owned land were afforded the voting franchise. American society, fortunately, has significantly, evolved, and, among other, salient advances, the right to vote is deemed personal, and not dependent upon the ownership of property.

With our embarrassed, and profuse apologies to the Earth’s fauna and flora, Man’s lust for the (recognized illusion) of land ownership as a criterion of prestige and power, has been a recurrent human pathology, and his entire history appears to be smitten with the horrific epidemic of land wars.

The recent barbarous and unjustified land war, launched by Putin’s, Russia on peaceful Ukraine is a striking example of this chronic human pathology; for which we, on behalf of the entire family of Homo sapiens, profusely, and with great shame, apologize to Man’s fellow inhabitants of the planet, including all beavers.

-p.