So 2020 continued until December 70th. On January 20 we were once again glued to our television watching the very modified pomp and ceremony associated with a peaceful transition of power. I must admit I held my breath throughout the public ceremony. Carol and were dancing in the coach hugging and cheering as the day progressed. Eventually we joined our friends from Brown Class of ’64 on the east coast for more cheers and the consumption of appropriate beverages in celebration.
And now we wait and watch to see how the country moves forward with actual leadership, committed to science and truth. It is with pleasure that I can listen to the President without cringing at what is being said and the whining, demanding way in which it is said. I have watched and listened to our Vice President present herself with poise and grace. And OMG the poet, Amanda Gorman! We saw her in two interviews prior to the inauguration and awaited her reading with anticipation which was well satisfied.
The nation will not heal overnight. We have a long history of hate and divisiveness. It predates the founding of the Union. It is said that politics is the “art of the compromise” but there were compromises that were anathema to us to this day – The Missouri Compromise 3/5ths of an enslaved person is counted for representation in the House of Representatives when Missouri was admitted to the Union in 1820, repealed in 1854. The Ku Klux Klan founded in 1865 continues to parade its hate to this day, maybe not as predominantly as in the recent past, but it exists. It is joined by the Proud Boys, and every militia group that roams the west in their camo painted pickup trucks with White Supremacist banners flying.
Some time in the 1990s or maybe earlier a friend introduced me to stormfront.org. You may want to open that in an incognito page. There is really no need to read beyond the introductory paragraph. This page has had to be recreated more than once as the Southern Poverty Law Center has defeated the underlying organization in law suits and brought it to bankruptcy. There is no new hate here. The biggest difference between then and now is the megaphone given to the cause which I hope has been muted if not silenced by the new administration.
Many years ago I spoke to Golda Meir during a reception and expressed my belief that we needed Israel because the possibility of rising Anti Semitism made me feel we needed a refuge. She called me paranoid, in a good way. I won’t get into Israeli politics here, I’m not sure I would feel safer there.
I look forward to 2021 being a better year than 2020. we are both healthy. I will get my first shot on Monday. We will have to get Carol in soon, next week, I hope. Our place is safe and remote enough to not feel involved in any large community. We can drive off into the mountains for the heck of it and we can pickup supplies as needed. Out neighbors are mostly as concerned for their own safety as for others so it is a mostly quiet life, reading watching movies. We saw “White Tiger” last night, you can take this as a recommendation. and here I am writing because I want to.
Thank you, Paul, for that opening line!
Thank you Paul for your insights. Deb and I agree to your whole opinion posting. We still can’t believe the number of people who have been so brain washed about the need for hateful and divisive thinking in our country. They don’t realized they were being used by the previous administration. Hopefully less chaotic times are ahead of us.
I don’t usually reply to posts like yours, but yours is extraordinary in its denial of the obvious. Trump and his corrupt, bullying, incompetent, self-aggrandizing, willful ignorance created the mess we are in. Hopefully, there are some Republicans with enough sense to make it possible to bar him from office as dog catcher and anything else.
Thanks, Paul! We share your feelings of anxious relief and hope for help for those in need very soon. Inauguration Day had me choking up at things I’ve taken for granted since childhood: standing and reciting the Oath of Allegiance, singing the Star Spangled Banner, and hearing the Presidential Oath recited. Amanda Gorman’s presence was as elegant and uplifting as her poetry. I was also immensely relieved that nobody was shot or blown up.
I’m not up to visiting that awful website, but don’t need to in order to remember the chants of “Jews Will Not Replace Us” at Charlottesville. The sight of the Nazis and treasonous Confederate flag in our Capitol had me yelling at the TV.
Take care!
Scott,
I am confused by your comments. As you mention President Biden has been in office less than a week. The economic and social issues you mention, though real, cannot possibly be due to his tenure. Please explain
I have removed Scott’s posts. I do not have any desire to moderate a political forum here with one person taking extreme positions and harassing other participants. I created this blog in 2003 as a place to post about my travels and occasional thoughts on the passing scene. I love to see comments about travel, food, books, movies or personal success or difficulties.
Wow! I’m excited to know someone that actually spoke to Golda Mier! I’ve studied her life and I love her. She is the very reason we live in Jojoba. I’ll have to share my story about that when it’s safe to gather.
Pat, Not sure who you are 🙂 You can email at jojobahills801@gmail.com Maybe when the weather gets better we can get together distanced and masked on our patio – 801
I couldn’t agree more with you, Paul!!! I am very concerned about my Jewish brothers and sisters. I thought that hatred of the Jewish community was long gone! The racial division is still very prevalent. My daughter’s husband is black and he tells many stories about unfair treatment; ie being profiled, followed in a store, etc. By the Grace of God their 3 daughters have not experienced any racial tension that I can see. I, too, share your dream of unity with President Biden. Love conquers all!!! And, that inauguration was absolutely stunning! I too cried during the national anthem, American the Beautiful & This Land Is My Land. And I cheered when President Biden took the oath. At last, I could exhale and breathe. I wish you and Carol a very Happy New 2021. Keep these encouraging posts coming. I send my Love – Darlene
I watched “White Tiger”. Content alert: not light entertainment! But thanks for the recommendation.
Meanwhile, a sigh of relief at yesterday’s spate of climate action. Indeed, of action.