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One would be well justified, historically and morally, in celebrating our American mantra, “one man, one vote,” if, in its empirical implementation,  it were accurate.

We have, in past writings, recounted the plethora of  wrongful practices, some institutionalized, amounting to tactical interference with the actual casting of votes.  These included, gerrymandering voting districts, interference with voters by local officials in declaring selected voters, ineligible to vote on de minimus “irregularities” such as the absence, or presence, of a hyphen, purging of voters lists by unscrupulous officials, moving, or eliminating voting places in native American areas of residence,  misinformation, and many other like, miscreant, undemocratic behavior; practiced  to affect voter results.

“One man, one vote”, obviously incorporates the implicit understanding that each vote cast will have appropriate, and equal, significance. This issue is the specific subject of concern of this writing.

In accordance with Article 12, of the U.S, constitution, our Presidential (and Vice Presidential)  elections, have never  been, legally and historically, the result  of the popular will of our citizenry; but are elected by a “College of Electors”, somewhat responsive to the popular (one man, one vote) franchise. It is the disparate number of State selected Electors that actually elect the President. In the most recent election, which gifted to America, an unfit, egotistic and ignorant chief executive, it was the Electoral College that elected him; the popular ( and larger)  vote was for his opponent. This selection of the Chief Executive, by the Board of Electors, contrary to the tally of American voters, was not unique, it has happened several times in the past.

This legal denial of “one man, one vote” has had several purported “justifications,” none of them admirable or useful; in fact we would characterize them at best, as outmoded and unrealistic, and at worst, aristocratically snobbish and stupid, as well as bigoted. The authors of Art. 12, had little confidence as to the knowledge of the issues, by a large, widely dispersed population. Even if we choose to forgive the arrogance of such assumption  (on the grounds that our Founders actually accomplished the creation of our unique republican democracy), the widespread knowledge of issues and events have  for a long time, been well communicated  throughout the nation. We have had  national parties, capable of the dessimination of such information, and above all a universally accessible media.

There was an arguement that the Electoral College system protects the smaller States. This, we feel is absurd, If anything, the small (largely agricultural) States, in our view, have always had many unfair advantages over the large (urban) areas. Every State has two Senators irrespective of population. Obviously, and most unfairly, the number of votes, required to elect two Senators, in Idaho, Montana and Nevada, are incomparably less than that necessary to elect two Senators in California, New York and Illinois. It is the largely populated States that bear the obvious and prejudicial disability. It is certainly indisputable, that at present, the Senate is controlled, by these smaller States and its dominance over the House of Representatives, lately, is evident.

There was an outmoided theory that the selection of the accurate formula would offset the disadvantage of the slave-owning States, since slaves were included in the population of such States, but couldn’t vote. This unsavory arguement, mercifully, is not today relevant.

It is not easy to Amend the Constitution, however, if such logistically complicated politics can result in a closer step to the attainment of a truly democratic vote, [ by eliminating the undemocratic  Electoral College], it certainly seems worth it.

-p.l

Of all the  catalogued monsters, real, literary  or (merely) imagined, there is none so fearsome, nor lethally effective, as the dreaded “mimesis.” Any and all conceivable attempts at illustration, say, with T- Rex,  Godzilla, Sasquatch or the Jabberwocky would pale by comparison. This monster grows daily, and exponentially, and poses an ever- increasing, existential threat to mankind, and society. By reason of its yet unexperienced results there seems to be little effort to eradicate, or even control, the contemptible beast.

“Mimesis,”  a word of ancient Greek origin, denotes an attempt to replicate, or reproduce reality. Theatrical productions may be a useful example, in which real life, as expected, is imitated on the stage. Contrasted with the benign phenomenon of  theatrical imitation of reality, we have been troubled about a harmfull, pervasive, willingness, in the real world, to favor the appearance or, “mimesis,” of reality (“virtual reality”) as compared to it’s true authenticity.

We have, in past posts, expressed our  serious concern regarding the widespread, elective use of electronic devices (for example,” smartphones”) as a preferred alternate to real conversation.  We have especially criticised the impersonality of  interaction brought about by such practice.  The exchange of data-like symbols on a small lighted screen, instead of the benefits of  spontaneous response, voice nuance and  recognition, and the ability to express emphasis or emotion, makes for a very costly mimesis.  We worry about the loss of normal and useful societal interraction, especially,  in regard to the younger generations to whom this mimises is quite unremarkable and normal.

The greedy monster has hungrily devoured a significant portion of the individual’s way of life, selfishly taking, as its exhorbitant price, one’s personal assurance as to his own ability to exercise reason, and the pleasure and confidence that accompaniess the final  attainment of the solution. The smart phone’s factuual  response to requests for information, albeit correct, adds confidence and  prestige to no one. “It is faster and saves time”, you would declare; but time for what, more reliance upon other robotics; probably not valuable time to be spent in the exercise of reason and the pursuit of self-advancement, which does, in fact, take time.

Prior to the attack of our dreaded monster, one diligently pursued solutions to problems by frequenting the library, consulting experts, the encyclopedia and relevant texts, by empirical trial and error, and the proper exercise of personal contemplation and analysis. Such problem solving was evidence of the intended use of evolution’s most generous gift to homo sapiens of an advanced brain; it created confidence and was a pathway to the further development of man’s problem solving capability. Personal trial and error, instruction,  where available, and the use of reason was historically, man’s route to advancement. The failure to use and rely upon human reason, in favor of “more covenient” memises, could conceivably, lead to its  atrophy [see: earlier post, “THE BRAIN AND THE APPENDIX”]. The “easy way,” may actually lead, in time, to disasterous human disfunction, a casualty of the lethal monster, “Mimesis.”

Evolution’s development [by primates] of an  “opposable thumb” was, without question, a significant anatomical  advance; but Nature did not have the capability foresee its use for such retrograde purposes.

-p,

An apprehensive woodland waits,
The onslaught of Winter’s war machine
The iron-hard soil,the numbing cold
Gales,chanting pitched manic arias
Snap-crack sounds of arbor amputation-
Dull,snowy thuds of severed limbs.
The cold, perennial taker of life
Points its icy fingers downward-
To the hapless, shivering critters,
Left behind by the Autumn Exodus.

Evergreens, tho’ seem tranquil no doubt,
In meditation on the coming Spring
The blue skies, the billowed clouds
Empathic breezes healing winter’s wounds
Small green buds that manifest eternally,
Making solemn vows of new life and increase

With wisdom taught by evergreens,
We too await the coming Spring,
Woodland’s lover and restorer
-p.
Winter, 2018, Leonard N. Shapiro

Research tells us that, in 1830, a white actor named, Thomas Dartmouth Rice, was propelled to stardom by his minstrel performances as the fictional “Jim Crow,”a comic caricature of a clumsy, dim-witted black slave.  As a result of Rice’s fame, “Jim Crow” became a popular Southern expression for the Negro, and the Southern segregationist laws became known as “Jim Crow Laws.”  Jim Crow laws were State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern States, passed by White legislatures, after the Reconstructionist Period. Historically, those Black and White citizens that sought to defy such laws were met with violence and death.

Despite the enactment of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, (1868) guaranteeing equality to all Americans, and the landmark case of  Brown v. Board of Education (1954) outlawing the practice of segregation in the schools (“Separate is not Equal”), Jim Crow practices continued (and still continue) apace, despite subsequent legislation on the subject. Jim Crow, is still alive and in active commerce, particularly in the area of voter suppression. Since it appears that we are at the eve of  mid-term  voting, we choose to reflect specifically, on some of the manifestations of the unsightly Jim Crow  stain on our Democratic franchise.

Gerrymandering (tactically moving the voter district lines, to affect the outcome), purging voter lists to eliminate voters, likely to vote for the “opposition,” and voter suppression, aimed at preventing certain groups from voting, are pernicious and undemocratic strategies, designed to influence the outcome of an election. Such shameful cynicism is only exceeded by the responsible officials’, or legislators’, self-justified and arrogant delusion, that they know best, in accordance with their skewed perception of our nation and its purpose; or worse, for some other insidious, personal motivation.

No less than 24 State Legislatures, as advised (mostly Republican), have introduced measures that place tight restrictions on voting, many of which, reportedly, are designed to disproportionately affect people of color, and Hispanic people, who are perceived as Democratic Party voters. Local officials, in these venues, will deny voting eligibility to such groups  based upon de minimus reasons such as the absence of a hyphen in the voter’s identification (a meaningless detail, omitted by some unknown clerk ) or some other meritless and cynically alleged defect.

The Secretary of State in Georgia (white) who has by some miraculous avoidance of ethical principle, is simultaneously a candidate (Republican)  for Governor, has, somehow been permitted to tactically and immorally, purge selected voters from the voter list, who he perceives will vote for his opponent, a black and a Democrat. Native Americans, who have an ethnically nuanced system of designating residence, are being denied their right to vote. In other cases, in sparsely populated areas, where certain Native Americans reside, a single voting station has been moved or eliminated entirely. The States of Kentucky and Georgia have, among certain other jurisdictions, have legally permitted the purging of voters’ names from the register, for identically tactical reasons.

What can be the possible self-justification, or comforting rationalization, if any, of those cynical officials and legislators, who will loudly and enthusiastically endorse America’s laudable, “one man, one vote” mantra, and privately choose to exercise their authority, otherwise?

-p.

 

Despite our contrary resolve, we find ourselves in several instances, having posted on the subject of politics, in general, and Donald J. Trump, in particular. The previous two posts, “THE UNMISTAKEABLE SMELL OF ROTTING FISH” and “CODE BLUE,” evidenced a clear and obvious abandonment of such prior resolution. By way of explanation, we had weighed such aesthetic preference, against the felt threat of being guilty of the “sin of silence,” and our conscience seemed to dictate the overriding consideration. This is no mere political critique; indeed, we have become very concerned about the continued existence of our unique democratic republic.

We have, in previous writings, variously recounted Trump’s incompetence, his ego-driven, adolescent execution of the office of Chief Executive, his unseemly bigoted pronouncements, his mendacity and unequivocally unethical behavior, his violation of the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, his accommodation of the rich and powerful to the exclusion of lower and middle class America (contrary to his campaign, “snake-oil” representations), his ignorance, which has embarrassed our nation, both domestically and internationally, his support of autocratic and historical  enemies of the free world, simultaneously with making enemies of our traditional allies and friends, his tacit, and visible, support of violence, combined with his irresponsible failure to maturely address the nation, concerning instances of horrific bigoted violence, and so many more miscreant acts and failures of responsibility, chief among which, may well be, the polarization and weakening of our previously compatible and strong nation.

While we sadly affirm the above enumerated transgressions, the intention of this note is to highlight a species of Trump’s wrongful behavior, to our mind, so vast and profound, as to, veritably, constitute offenses against mankind itself. This species of miscreant behavior consists of his unprecedented attacks upon the conception and utilitarian existence, of truth itself. The enumeration of Trump’s serious failures and transgressions, in the previous paragraph, may be deplorable, even frightening, but his actions demeaning truth Itself, has existential, truly anthropological impact. Man could not have survived, nor advanced from lone homo sapiens to societal life, based on falsehood. This would have been impossible with regard to the subjects of safety and joint defense, the sharing of skills and general mutual interdependence. The truth, is certainly, no less important to mankind today.

The report we consulted, tallied 5000 false and misleading statements in Trump’s first 600 days of taking office. He has visibly increased his output of intentionally mendacious statements since such period of time; at this writing, we are advised that fact checkers have discerned 1100 Trump falsehoods in this past month of October, alone.  Trump has consistently altered truthful facts, when they are unfavorable to him and has consistently derogated the established press. He has publicly, and arrogantly, recommended, that citizens look to him for the true facts; all contradictory reports, he shamelessly charges, are, in his now famous trademark expression, “fake news.”  Please note that, in previous posts, we have observed that the “big lie,” was an insidiously successful tactic in the Nazi rise to power in Germany, in the 1930’s.

Speaking the truth may not always be easy, but truthful interaction always was, and will remain, essential, for successful and reliable human [interactive] existence and development. In demeaning the value of truth, Trump has placed himself well beyond the pale of any conceivable redemption.

-p.

“Code blue,” is the famous hospital alarm signal that an extreme emergency exists, in which a patient is in cardiac or pulmonary arrest, requiring a team of medical providers to rush to his specific location and immediately commence the performance of life-saving, resuscitative services.

This note is expressive of our fear that our traditionally laudable, democratic republic, is currently in such a critical condition as would, appropriately, warrant a call for a resuscitative code blue broadcasted to all rational and dedicated citizenry.  We have, most recently, been confronted with so extreme a situation that, frighteningly, the coming elections will predictably, either result in a principled affirmation of our uniquely democratic ideals of freedom and equality for all, or, otherwise, signify an unfortunate descent into the dark ages of autocratic rule.

With the [shocking] elevation of Donald J. Trump to the Oval Office, chronically perverse elements of our society, [ unfortunately present in all societies] have suddenly emerged from the shadows and into the American daylight, with requisite confidence to assert their perverse dogma, and to perform their shameful and bloody acts of sociopathic and homicidal madness. Mailed pipe bombs to prominent detractors of Donald Trump, anti-Semitic mass murder, demonization of immigrants (in a country entirely consisting of immigrants and their descendants), shootings of unarmed black youths by bigoted police, degradation and abuse of women, attacks on the free press and other American institutions, and, on a grand and disastrously immense scale, the division of our formerly strong and compatible nation, into insular, hostile camps, resulting in the weakening of our historical national solidarity and strength.

Right wing white “nationalist” hate groups have reveled in, and become heartened by, the suggestive vacuum, created by Trump’s consistent failure to responsibly address such enumerated acts of hatred, practiced by reprehensible bigots. Such shocking and unprecedented failure of responsibility by the President, added to his ignorant, reductive statements, and overt incitements to violence, have been perceived as tacit, if not express, license for action by aberrant, un- American malcontents.

Very disturbing are the actions and ignorant statements of our ignorant and adolescent, chief executive; his encouragement of violence, his mendacity, [ he disparages all inconvenient truth, and regularly uses the Nazi-like technique of the big lie]. Trump recently has publicly announced that he is a “Nationalist.” [Anyone remember the “Nationalist-Socialist Party, the” Nazis”?]

He has described the poor, hungry and bedraggled, mass of Central American families, still approximately, 1000 miles from the Mexican border, walking, in an arduous, biblical-style exodus, from existential horror, as an “invading army”; bringing with it, smallpox and other diseases, and also hiding Middle East terrorists (?).Revelatory of this insane delusion, was Trump’s ordering of U.S. combat troops to the border.

To compound Trump’s evident paranoid schizophrenia, he has stated that the invaders were financed by George Soros, a billionaire, who also happens to be Jewish. This insane assertion, was acted on by one of the madmen, right-wing lunatics, [ among those emerged into the daylight, by the election and behavior of our remarkable President] who gunned down 11 Pennsylvania Jews at prayer; the murder’s concurrent remarks were, as reported, that “all Jews should be killed”. [we have been eternally puzzled by the common, irrational and bigoted conflation, of the contentious issue of immigration, even of brown-skinned folks, and anti-Semitism].

Donald Trump needs to be  reminded of the priceless statement of Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, standing in New York Harbor, to welcome the stranger, “…give to me your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free…,” and then advised to send a friendly welcoming party to warmly  greet our new Central American refugees, instead of a lethal army brigade.

[PLEASE] BE SURE TO VOTE!         -p.

The long-standing declaration, “a fish rots from the head down,” appears to be unmistakably accurate, and applicable to our present contemptible direction of national stewardship. The plain meaning of the phrase is, that it is the leadership. that is the cause of the problem. It observed veracity, is contemporaneously reaffirmed, among other things, by the many instances of Presidential failure of responsibility, in properly responding to horrendous acts of bigotry [apparently, occurring with increasing frequency during his term in office.] The incidents of hateful shootings of young unarmed blacks by bigoted policemen, mass homicide of innocent schoolchildren, white supremacy demonstrations, overt assaults on women, and most recently, anti- Semitic multiple murder, have not been responded to with any mature and responsible leadership comment, by our President; condemning the pernicious acts and appealing for national peace and unity. Following the recent synagogue killings, he made a very brief statement, recognizing the event, followed by an expansive explanation, to the assembled press, for the present state of his hair. With reference to the conflict at the Charlottesville White Supremacy hate rally, he publicly stated that “both sides have a right to their opinion.” [no, Mr. President, not the Nazi’s.] As  ominously and amply demonstrated by history, an irresponsible vacuum exixting  in such matters, will predictably, be filled by unhealthy toxins introduced to the body politic. We can refer to the 1930’s German Weimar republic, as just one of  theinnumerable examples.

We are obliged to stress the basic, underlying principle, that every legal right, granted by the U.S. Constitution, has limitations; and the responsibility not to be used to harm others. My right to throw a punch, stops just at the tip of your nose. the Constitutional right of assembly, is strictly limited to “peaceful” assembly. The right of free speech does not permit the false and dangerous, shouting of “Fire!” in a crowded theater; nor does it permit, nor, in any way, condone, the President’s too frequent “red meat” statements, made to his vile base supporters that directly, or by pernicious dog whistle message, incite violence.

Acts of illegal homicide of unarmed black youths, by bigoted police, have continued apace, anti-Semitic acts, this year, have more than doubled, while white supremacist gangs operate with shameful impunity. Unconcerned, our Nero-like, neurotic, President Trump, revels in his adolescent, perceived limelight.

This unsuitable fish needs replacement, before its smell makes the entire continent odiferous.

-p.

On the assumption that there exists, in our multifaceted American culture, any “truism,” possessing some respectable degree of empirical integrity, it would, inarguably, amount to an observation that the origin and sustenance of all bigotry, is ignorance.

This note concerns the specific subject of gender discrimination, similarly, founded upon ignorance, but in our view, having a different etiology, and manifesting several nuanced features, as compared with  racial, religious and ethnic prejudices. These latter three categories of odious bigotry have been the subject of earlier posts, in which we attributed their felt origin to early childhood instruction, in “we” (our culture) and “they” (other cultures); leading to insularity, and ignorant mythology regarding the “other, and eventually, to hatred and conflict.

The intransigent and unenlightened belief in the existence of a strictly defined dichotomy of gender, would seem to constitute the essential foundation of gender bias. Such erroneous assumption appears to manifest its widespread, consistent and reductive confirmation, at some time subsequent to the parents’ choice of pink or blue color for their toddler’s clothing; even perhaps as early as the time of the stereotypical selection of toys and playthings; consistent with the confirmed assumptions and observations extant at the naming of the newborn.  It should be noted, however, that the traditionally accepted mantra of “dimorphism,” [ two (clearly) distinct iterations of mankind (only)] has recently been scientifically and empirically, debunked, and demonstrably shown to be erroneous and reductive.

As the scientific and medical studies uniformly show, the establishment of the sex of an organism is usually by the inheritance, at the time of fertilization, of certain genes commonly localized on a particular chromosome. This pattern effects the development of the organism by controlling cellular metabolism and stimulating the production of hormones that trigger the development of sexual glands or organs. An excess, or a lack, of hormones, during embryological development, may cause an individual to develop the superficial appearance of one sex, while retaining the genetic constitution of the other. Information concerning the common and natural existence of intra-gender diversity, is readily available.

There is a plethora of authoritative, scientific and medical studies, which demonstrate the plain error in the popular, reductionist, “binary” theory of gender; and clearly demonstrating that there is, in reality, an empirical continuum, or broad spectrum, of variation, between the two classically designated categories. In our [personally required], brief readings on the subject, we came across scientists who claim to identify as much as 25 or 27 (!) different inherited genders. Reason would certainly appear to dictate a societal need for additional recognized categories of gender, as a far preferable alternative to continuing to perpetuate bigoted, and possibly damaging assumptions, about who is like who.

Tragically, as a not uncommon result of such purely reductive and ignorantly biased assumptions, innocent and undeserving lives have been, and are, adversely affected; at the workplace, socially, medically and legally solely by reason of  their nuanced, “costly”  [hormonal] inheritance

-p.

The right of every American citizen to cast an effective vote, is not adequately described as a salient attribute of a republican democracy; it is, in fact, its functional definition. It is only when the traditional, legal and constitutionally protected mandate of “one man, one vote” is an effective reality, that we earn the admirable mantle of a republican democracy.

Of late, we have observed, with great alarm, that such historic description of our democratic nation and its laudable franchise, has been effectively under siege by a metastasizing influence of self-interested, prejudicial and corrosive money interests. The practice of unlimited and unregulated financial donations to the (expensive) campaigns of legislators and government office holders, from a small, but rich and influential, portion of the population, (with the disappointing, and shocking approval of the Supreme Court, in the Citizen’s Union case) has been the “open wound,” permitting the infecting organism to freely enter, thrive and multiply in the body politic.

The fair, utilitarian and democratic system of government, brilliantly innovated by our far-sighted Founding Fathers, has been tactically manipulated by unscrupulous players, whose tactical artifices have been tolerated by sufficient members of our government and legislators, so as make such miscreant and Unamerican practices, part of our contemporarily accepted civic folkways.

Our metaphoric pinball game, in reality, is a traditional feature of a carnival style arcade; points are scored by players’ manipulation of one or two steel balls in such fashion that they tactically strike certain markers and avoid variously located barriers. Wealthy wielders of monied influence, have so gamed our democratic system of government, motivated by profit making or personal prejudice, as to make a veritable travesty of the American democratic system of election, and degrade it to the base level of the manipulative arcade game of pinball.

It may be useful, and illustrative, to outline the techniques, or stratagems, commonly employed in the manipulation of the American voter, and the ultimate vote results:

• Encouragement of a divisive and destabilizing fragmentation of the population, from national and international sources, on such controversial subjects as gun control, abortion rights, immigration, ethnic and racial prejudice. These topics, admittedly controversial, have been tactically catalyzed by perverse interests, to the degree that the American population has been divisibly separated into two insular, opposing camps, [not necessarily related to any of our established political parties] who vote tribally, in accordance with their group loyalty. This inclination is particularly dangerous, when the tribal support is not doctrinal, but for a demagogic leader. This is clearly, and ominously illustrated, among other examples, by the consistent support of President Trump by the many Christian Evangelical groups, despite his public boasts of purported sexual prowess and personal acts of sexual abuse. Such brand of neurotic etiology of irrational support is truly frightening, and nightmarishly reminiscent of 1930’s Munich, Germany.
• The cynical and fraudulent practice of “gerrymandering.” Legally, election districts are properly to be divided into residentially representative boundaries, in accordance with the objective findings of the regularly scheduled and constitutional mandated, census. However, experience too often demonstrates the artificial manipulation of the drawn districts, with the unprincipled and undemocratic goal of affecting election outcomes. This pinball maneuver is motivated by a Machiavellian estimation of race and economic class, currently resident in the respective voting districts. The tactically re-drawn maps of voting districts often demonstrate a tortured, psychedelic treatment of geography.
• Voter interference is cynical, and a diabolical and nefariously sanctioned exercise of local mischief, designed to undemocratically delimit the vote of certain groups who are, in accordance with the pernicious bigotry or political bias of local officialdom, (often as high as the respective Secretary of State, but more frequently exercised by more local pinball officials) likely to vote in their own, as opposed to the official’s, interest. A frustrating miasma of innocuous impediments is strategically created, including the presence, or absence, of a hyphen on a voter’s registration card, or other identification, (albeit not transcribed by the intended voter) or a cynical immigration falsehood uttered to discourage and turn away essentially unsophisticated voters, who are anticipated to cast their votes in opposition to the wishes of the officially empowered pinball wizards.
• The intentional dissemination of falsity, an esthetic art created and tactically curated by our singular, Commander-in-Chief, under the brand name, “false facts.” President Trump, who delights in his fascistic attacks on the responsible and accurate media, is exclusively credited, and will be historically enshrined, as the creator of the Olympic sport of false- fact dissemination [ for which he will get the gold medal, the silver being shared by certain news commentators, popular to Trump and his perverse merry band, referred to as “his base.”] The art of dissemination of false facts is also practiced by miscreants, internationally and locally, in media such as face book and other electronic programs, as well as certain right-wing newspapers. No one has, to date, recommended an ethical field manual, of any kind, for the sport of franchise pinball.
• The single- issue voter is not a pinball wizard, or even a pinball player. He is merely a passive spectator of the arcade game, who casts his vote on the sole subject of his concern; whether it be abortion rights, gun control, the environment or immigration. His game, consists of voting for the candidate who shares his personal view on a specific issue on which he is mono -focused. By ignoring the balance of his selected candidate’s platform, such voters distort the communicated message of the election results; and may unwittingly be casting votes which are, in fact, in opposition to their own interest.

Various other iterations exist, other than the pernicious sport of pinball, evidencing misuse of the valuable public franchise, such as biased voting on racial, geographic or religious criteria. These disgraceful instances, together with the actions of the obnoxious and undemocratic pinball aficionados, make the sincere, self-interested and truly honest American vote, unimaginably valuable to the nation, and to the honest, right thinking American citizen. The cynical pinball players and misusers of the voting franchise can certainly be defeated, by a greater number of participatory votes of our responsibly true American citizens.

Keep the faith! [ and vote]

-p.

It would appear to be both salutary and useful, amid any extended course of activity, to take a brief break, a restful and contemplative breather, in the search for perspective, and perhaps, as well, the motivation of the actor, and the effect upon the recipient of the activity. Thus, after publication of no less than 286 blogposts (inclusive of poetry), it seems appropriate to consider the purpose and nature of our activity, and to contemplate the possible (intended) effect on the reader, vis-à-vis the respective scope and purpose of this unique form of expression, first commenced approximately two years ago.

To read a novel, as compared with other forms of writing, is to visit with its author for a relatively extensive time. A skilled author of the good novel has the opportunity and print space to examine, by means of created characters and plot action, the eternal and universal human issues, played out within his manufactured situational context. He has the franchise to express his views on life and destiny, by means of the actions of his characters in their confrontation with the classic issues of life; the reader consequently, becomes subtlety, but, effectively, introduced to the persona of the author. The well written short story, much smaller in scope and print space, can be similarly described, but is portrayed on a much- abbreviated literary stage.

The essay, article or column, affords to its reader the author’s point of view, often in some depth, regarding his individually selected subject, or issue of interest. The advantage of this species of writing is in its specialization as to the subject matter treated; or as applicable, in the exposition of author’s individualized views. For this reason, articles by authors with known capabilities or recognized experience, will appear in magazines, scholarly journals or other broadly disseminated media. Such writing has great value, its utility,  discerned from the nuanced treatment of the selected subject.

If a permitted metaphor be the formal dinner, the metaphoric novel would be the entree, the essay or article, the preliminary or first course, and the blogpost, the small, tasty, appetizer or tapas. Blogposts are relatively short, informal statements on various individual subjects. There, apparently, are several diverse types of blogs including, public, private, commercial, political and public service blogs.

Our blog, plinyblog.com, is a private (dare we, with modesty, say, “boutique?”) blog disseminated to and read, currently, by less than 1000 followers. It is digitally sent pursuant to an address list, and noted, with a terse, applicable comment, on Facebook. Approximately 200 posts have to date, been printed in small, soft cover attractive volumes; the third volume, “Reflections 111” to be printed and distributed shortly. Of course, all are free of charge; we are completely a non-commercial activity. Our avowed purpose is to encourage literacy, self-growth and self -fulfillment., as well as a natural, secular morality.

The blogpost’s primary feature is that it enables the writer to write on an unlimited array of subjects, none with the detailed depth of the article or essay but allowing to the writer the freedom to express felt sentiments on any and all subjects. This 286^th post is one of approximately 275 unrelated subjects (excluding poetry). Regrettably, we do feature a [ limited] number of political posts (much against our founding intention), which we rationalize, as made necessary, by our present unusual governmental situation {we simply could not commit the sin of complete silence].

Like the function of the metaphoric appetizer, above, it is our purpose to increase the appetite for civic discourse and civic amity, to promote a true renaissance in interest in literature, art and the humanities; which are the firm building blocks of a good citizenry, and a strong, moral and compassionate society and nation. The need for the improvement, most evident in contemporary times, academically, morally and socially, is vital, as well as multifaceted and diverse; the franchise afforded by the (unfortunately) necessary reminders of our common humanity, is best expressed in short flexible, blogpost form.

We would like to thank our readers, and will earnestly continue to aspire to the production of acceptably written and readable posts.

-p.