Current Events

Liberty Mutual

Liberty

is a statue

commemorating

a virtue

welcoming

into our harbor,

absent

on the southern

border.

Insecure

from escapees

and refugees

seeking

asylum

after 

an insanely

difficult

trek

under stars

and the blazing

sun,

overwhelming

our broken

system,

we no longer

talk of liberty

or freedom

from dangerous

or injurious

conditions

except 

in Gaza

despite 

Hamas.

The explosive,

corrosive,

divisions

pushing

boundaries

at the borders

within several 

democracies,

while atrocities

unrelenting,

remind me

that 

Lady Liberty

is a statue

from long

ago.

Our experiment

in liberty

has always had

an element

of hypocrisy,

sometimes forgetting

responsibility

and accountability

to others

that accompanies

her.

Don’t tread

on me:

it’s my liberty

for me

to be as free

as can be

unless

I’m powerless,

which often

means

without means.

(or a woman,

or person of 

color;

or queer

or any other

minority

denied

liberty

because

it’s been

historically

otherwise

until

recently.)

But history

is being

written

anew 

with old

conventions

and oppressions.

It’s as though

some want

liberty

to be an old

statue.

They will 

demand

what

they please

ignoring pleas

that counter

their own

misperceived

threats

or preferences.

Their defenses

of god 

and liberty

(and possibly 

immunity)

are sculptures

of a culture

long dominant.

But liberty

stands

alone,

prominent,

as a definer

of human

beings.

Despite 

Putin’s

war 

to dominate

Ukraine,

the sane

understand

the demand

that liberty

is not merely

a statue,

but an evolution

itself

of self

and other

reckoning

from the beckoning

of the torch.

The Fetal Position

If you,

like me,

feel like

curling up

into 

the fetal

position

from opposition

to IVF
after feeling

helpless

about Dobbs,

then let’s

explore
The Fetal Position.

Personhood

is understood

as a fetus,

or an anonymous

contributor

(or contributing

entity)

to a PAC,

or a corporation.

Actual 

identifiable

people

are denied

rights

and 

regarded

as wrong

if they belong

to the school

of thought

that suggests

life begins

after birth.

This 

theocracy-

style

governance

is a supreme

encumbrance

not just

upon 

women,

but upon

families,

communities,

and actually,

our democracy.

Hearts,

bank accounts,

systems,

are broken

for a token

win

that doesn’t

affect

the legislators’

lives;

only the lives

and livelihoods

of those 

deemed

killing

personhoods

for securing

safer living

of actual

human beings.

The tortured

logic

for the gynecologic

obsessions

and supposed

transgressions

are injections

of a particular

(and peculiar)

religious

interpretation.

The anti-science

reliance

on a bible

as the guide

for literal

fetal

legal

accountability

will never

provide

sustainability.

From my

current fetal

position

I can only

suggest 

that The Fetal

Position,

whose

mission

is prohibition,

abolition,

and ammunition

against

the proposition

of complexity

of life

and governance,

is a minority

of a party

whose priority

is superiority,

of course,

but also 

authority

over others—

God fearing,

because

inspiring

fear

is what

they revere.

Fearing

government

and science

as slippery

slopes

promotes

anti-expert

(so-called

elite)

pronouncements.

Their

Fetal Position

is conceived 

from religious

interpretation

now codified

as legislation.

We can’t 

let our fear

keep us

in the

fetal position.

Find ways

to contribute

to uproot

this acute

and chronic

assault

on the embroyonic

and the Fetal

Position.

Hits and Misses

In my life,

political strife

has wrought

assassinations

and “the wife”.

Each was

so capable

in her own

right,

despite

forever 

being linked

to her

husband’s 

distinct

vision.

Killed 

by opposition

to their

position

on issues,

or potential

power,

or who knows

why,

after they

died,

their

wives

carried

their legacies.

Jackie 

modeled

dignity

and continuity

of the presidency

for our democracy

though grieving

profoundly.

Coretta

lead a 

civil rights

movement

through social

justice

when the world

trusted us

to be 

a beacon.

Yoko Ono,

another

forever

widow,

would not 

let Lennon

love

weaken.

And Alexi

Navalny

who

sought

democracy

(really)

had a partner

against

Putin’s crimes.

Yulia Navalnaya,

while mourning

her spouse,

announced

her commitment

to the consistent

work

of freedom.

Her days

are likely 

numbered,

in case 

you wondered

if Tucker’s

portrayal

was helpful.

The Mrs

are hits

among

the public:

stoic,

iconic,

and

patriotic-

all despite

the chaotic.

Their strength

makes

the hit men

look weak.

Because 

they ultimately

are.

Elder Care

Some don’t 

care

about one

candidate’s

age

or

gaffes

or (potential?)

crimes,

because:

demeanor.

The meaner,

the better;

such

a go

getter.

His vim

and vigor

and ability

to trigger

libs

is his

super 

power,

despite

his dour

countenance

and incompetence

at everything

but delaying.

He’s playing

the game

to win

at all 

costs,

which,

as of now,

costs him

about a half

a billion

dollars

plus interest

each day

he doesn’t

pay.

“So what?”,

they say,

“He’s here

to stay”,

because

he’s the

Mr Fixit.

But if

the fix

is in

unless he

wins…

oh there is

no

logic

to the diabolic

hyperbolic

sclerotic

neurotic

chronic

liminal

criminal

chief

cheat,

other than

to serve

himself.

And the slow

moving

Joe

is suffering

from low

approval

ratings

despite 

succesful

governance.

But media

presence

presents

a problem

for the elder

statesman.

Looking

frail

on the campaign

trail

is worse

than the prospect

of going

to jail

in our current

democrazy.

Will stopping

Biden

be easier

than stopping

Trump 

from running?

This could 

be stunning.

Write

to your 

pols

regardless 

of polls

and tell

them how

much

you care.

A democracy

is not 

a one man

capability.

We are much 

more

than this

sore

spot

of old

white

guys

clinging.

Never Mind?

Lemme just say

that one 

should pay

one’s bills.

The latest

threat

to NATO,

though,

we can’t ignore

as a sure

bet

to upset

yet

again 

the anti

MAGA

as the saga

continues.

The irony,

as Andy

Borowitz

reminds us.

is that

the guy

who never

pays 

his bills

somehow 

instills

a sanction:

a sort of

permission

for Putin’s

aggression

and obsession

with expansion.

Trump

is playing

quarterback,

wanting his

own

Super Bowl

back;

treating this

as the halftime

show

Ushering

in 

the third

quarter

after ordering

House

Repubs’

ignoring

the border

deal

that could

have helped

our immigration

situation,

and also

Biden.

And who 

could forget

Hur’s hurling

insult

at the aging-

before –

our-eyes

POTUS,

who 

side steps

stepping aside.

Designed

to undermine

Biden’s

candidacy,

Hur’s report

tends

to distort

his role.

Now 

what’s on

everyone’s

mind:

Who’s

mind

is more

demented?

The tormented

one 

who foments

aggression

and hate

with a spate

of indictments

and trial dates?

Or the decidedly

decent,

accomplished

statesman

whose

lack

of alacrity

walking to

pressers

has had no

bearing

on his

ability

to engage

in serious

matters

at home

and abroad

with some

of the greatest

successes

despite

what impresses

the minds

of voters

most.

It used

to be

“It’s the economy,

Stupid!”

Now,

it’s just 

stupid.

And we can’t

never

mind.

Immune from Immunity

Phew!

What we knew

we knew—

(iykyk)—

that we need

immunity

from

POTUS
immunity

as decided

unambiguously,

unanimously

by a panel

of 3

bipartisan

judges.

Now the matter

shifts

to the supremes.

Will they

or won’t they

take the case

that sets

the pace

for the race

against

time

for trials

and a trying

election

season?

There is no

immuno-

compromise;

only immuno-

suppression .

And our immuno-

deficiency

is the inefficiency

of our system

of democracy

where time

and norms

seem easily

distorted

and contorted

through sordid

actions

and throwing

spaghetti

with ketchup

at the walls

of justice.

Now I worry

about some

justices

who curry

favor

with the uber

wealthy

and stealthily

conceal

their

deal

making.

Our system

is not immune

to the opportunistic,

parasitic,

narcissistic

one(s)

who herd

the weak

as they seek

power

with immunity.

But for now,

this inoculation

immunizing

us from

presidential

immunity

is welcome.

Next,

we brace

for the case

of Colorado

and the 14th

Amendment

in the POTUS

race.

At least

there’s

the Super

Bowl

to distract,

and the debate

will shift

to Taylor

Swift—

silly stuff

when we’ve

heard enough

about immunity

for now.

So Much Winning

The big surprise

was not 

the primary

prize.

Although

a disappointment

for her

and now less

of a contest,

the best

is not

necessarily

who gets

voted in.

What does

BE BEST
really mean

anyway?

But I digress,

as the mess

of us

is made

by the few.

Even in

The Academy

where Barbie

revived

the biz,

The Ms (es)

who delivered

something

new and

bright,

light 

and true,

were ignored.

The women

who created

a phenomenon

and actually

united

diverging views

emerging

over decades,

dividing

us,

somehow

found

the sweet spot

and got

snubbed.

Is Barbie

really

us?

When is it

Kenough ?

The competent

women

are still

driven

but can’t

win.

I actually

read

a comment

today

in the NYT

complaining

about

Nikki Haley’s

teeth.

Her actual

dental

appearance

was too

grating

for this person.

I won’t 

lower

the conversation

to her

rival’s

looks,

even if

it’s one

for the books.

Back 

to The Academy

which now reflects

the tragedy

of us…

Like Dobbs,

this too,

will soon

not be 

news,

and we’ll

proceed

as we bleed,

(too female

for you?)

in desperate

need

of the

Gerwigs

and Robbies

and even

Haleys,

Cheyneys,

Hillarys,

and Pelosis,

and so many

of the smart,

bold,

talented,

and yes, 

flawed,

but not 

frauds.

Among 

the many men

(Ken!)

who deserve

rewarding,

the easy

ignoring

of the women

who actually

require

much more

to compete,

is a defeat

of understanding

or simply

a retreat

to the familiar.

Is this winning?

American Idle

The story 

of 

“The Golden Calf”

is a warning

against idolatry.

But only

recently

did it occur

to me

to consider

why

a calf?

Ancient cultures

and cults

and myths

regarded

bulls as sacred.

Among

the cattle

prominent,

the bull’s

dominent

stature

was a godlike

feature

in the ancient

world.

So why 

a calf

on behalf

of the Israelites

awaiting

Moses’ return?

Perhaps

the calf

is merely 

half

of the force

of the all

powerful.

And now

the maga,

at least

in Iowa,

have their

bull

ever ready

for the next

bullfight.

How perfect

that bull

means the opposite

of real

much like

the appeal

of the bs 

king

who says

it like

it is(n’t).

The bullfight

has officially

begun

although

this bull

has been

bullying

and running

forever.

He’s been 

stabbed

and tested,

but he has

bested

the best

efforts

to contain 

him.

He worships

idolatry

especially

of himself.

It would be

laughable

or a parable

if it weren’t

so horrible.

He’s the

American Idol

of the maga

nation—

a minority

whose sacred

cow

may be

a criminal—

and is 

no longer 

liminal.

America,

we can’t 

remain

idle.

American Dream

Leader

unique 

in our history,

upending

the status

quo 

of politics

and society.

Charismatic.

Inspiring 

a movement.

Protesting

the status

quo.

Calling out

institutions

that have

failed

Americans.

Shifting 

perspective

at home

and around

the globe.

Revered.

Feared.

Cheered.

Jeered.

Creating a

movement

and a moment

of history.

MLK.

DJT.

Both

American

sons.

Both dreaming

of freedom—

one from segregation;

the other

from incarceration.

One marched

to change

laws

to invite

democracy

for all;

the other

threw catsup

on the

walls

after inviting

others

to overthrow

a democratic

election.

One exuded

grace;

the other,

not a trace.

Demonstrable

authority

whose priority

was leading

through

new tactics.

One sermonized;

the other,

demonized

and weaponized—

literally—

by proxy.

Both understood

that violence

could

erupt 

in an instant.

One welcomed

it;

the other

became a victim

of it.

And the one 

who boasts

the most

of anyone

ever,

claims

victimhood

of every 

situation

and

negative

comment

other than 

his own.

One taught

non-violence;

the other 

sought

compliance.

Will DJT

have a

holiday

in his 

memory,

or will

today’s

caucus

in Iowa

be the coldest

reminder

of a chilling

future

that has

no historical

precedence

for presidents

of the United

States

of America?

Don’t 

just 

have dreams.

Take

just

actions

in honor

of MLK Day

today

(and as many

days ahead

as possible).

What 

will

you do?

The Sopranos and The Base

Fuggedaboutit!

Back at 

The Bing

after 25 years

since The Sopranos

premiered,

those

good fellas

and those

big haired,

long nailed

gals 

revealed 

almost all,

and unsealed

the sociopath’s

psyche.

Americans

love 

gangster

shows

and anti

heroes.

And prestige

tv 

started

with

The Sopranos.

The culture

exposed

in each

episode,

showed us

the familiar

family

ties

but also

the lies

that most

of us

would never

encounter

otherwise.

Fitzgerald

and Puzo

knew

so well

that Americans

love

excess

and power.

The Gatsby

type

disguise

and the wise

guys

do whatever

they want.

They have 

it all

and all

they want

is more.

And 

respect.

Gatsby,

nearing 100,

the Don

(Corleone)

over 50,

and The Sopranos’

25th

anniversary

are certainly

testament

to great art.

But what sets

them apart

is their

familiarity-

despite 

distance-

as stories

of the American

experience.

They live

the American

Dream

in unseemly

fashion.

And what 

is the

reaction?

Adoration.

Now look

at the blob

whose mob

stormed 

The Capitol.

Running

to be made

POTUS 

again,

he ups

his ante

being anti

everything

except 

the base.

The Sopranos

touched

high notes

consistently

for years,

while

Trump veers

lower and lower

toward 

tyrant;

defiant

as the base

is compliant.

Nikki Hailey

won’t criticize

as she has

her eyes

on 

I don’t know

what

prize.

But as 

I watch

The top notch

Sopranos,

I’m uncomfortably

aware

of the American

love

affair

with gangsters

and their 

base.