Love and Violence

It’s not easy imagining a loved one being violent. Sometimes pondering brings us to the edge of this consideration, but mostly it is just that, a pondering.


Until the blow is struck. Then is it real.


Friends of mine have battled a son with alcoholism. Now 35 years of age, the son continues to spiral down in drunkenness. First it was sloppy over drinking. Then it was vomitous results, frequently. Then subdued breathing and unconsciousness. A drink was never enough. Another was added to the others. Until black out.


The pattern continued with weekly ambulance rides to ER. Finally, the doctors were convinced other measures were needed. Off to a lockdown facility with counseling, group therapy for both drug and alcohol addicts. Soon after release of 32 days, a bit of work, some money earned, and another drunk. Two days later ER again. Several more times and another clinic for psychological help. All in all four admissions to these facilities, each time resulting in new fervor for a new day.


But the old pattern soon reappeared.


A drunken brawl found him in jail. Then hospital again, jail again, and no relief in sight.
Begging for help from his elderly parents (81 and 72), bullying soon followed. They were and are unable to afford any meaningful help. They turned to friends and social agencies. Even the police were engaged to help. And they did.


More hospital interventions followed and more lockdown psych facilities, too.


Finally released with no job, no money and a need to find solace in his misery, his anger took over. He beat his mom; then his dad: smashed his glasses, broke his nose and four ribs (and a punctured lung). The dad was able to push the son out on the street, called 911 for both the police and an ambulance. After the ER, they were both admitted to the hospital. Just home now after three days.


Violence. The unthinkable. Among loved ones. Utter lack of control of both the self and family. This is when local authorities step in to preserve order and focus on the real problem of addiction. No drugs, but alcohol. Of course, that is a drug. And some people cannot control their requirement of it.


The price for order in this case is a tearful admission of failed management of alcoholism.


Jail, prison, psychological attention, perhaps psychiatric help, too. Whatever, this young fellow will not be allowed to mingle with the public anytime soon.


We can rest easy now. Until he is released and tested for resolve over life in the open. What will it be then?



October 8, 2019

Walking the Dog

She’s old now, 16.5 years and counting. Willow is a honey blonde Lasa Apso. We rescued her 13.5 years ago. In turn, she rescued us.


She has been going blind for the last two years. One eye we think only registers light to her; the other has vision but probably quite blurry with little depth perception. She walks into curbs and walls. Not with gusto, just slight bumps. She grows more skittish of the unknown, and barks at shadows.


Her hearing is not acute. That has been coming on for at least 3 years. Still, she responds to noises and clapped hands. Her world is growing darker and more silent. With that she sleeps a lot.


Lately she has not been eating regularly. If she thinks you are offering her a treat – or should be! – she will eat what is handed her. If it comes in a bowl, however, forget it.


Even her favorite treats are rebuffed these days. We think that is the state of her teeth and gums. Hard treats are not worth her effort or pain.


Taken together we watch Willow closely. She seeks our presence. Sits down close to us. Snoozes a bit. Then she makes her way to her bed and takes a serious nap. Little food, lots of sleep, fading action, we know the end is approaching.


Next week we are having her groomed. Then we will visit the vet for some opinions on what is happening and when to expect the end.


Just when I think she may not be breathing, she bounces back to life, chipper and curious as ever. A dash down the hall for her walk, and tugging at her leash to get out as soon as possible, and we are left wondering why we thought the end was nigh.


This is life with our beloved dog. She has been a comfort and companion for many years. She will be wretchedly missed when she is gone. We are trying to get used to that idea. Not an easy one. But a necessary step. It is only the when now.


And we wonder. And hope for another day.


October 7, 2019

When Children Play Adult

The 2016 Presidential election was messed with by Russia and others. North Korea most probably. The nuclear weapons agreement with North Korea and tRump came to naught; most observers instinctively knew it would. Global warning is a threat studied and projected by the brightest and best scientists for well over a decade. It is here. Now. We even worked internationally for a very bold treaty and it was signed by most of the global community. But our president reneged on the ‘deal’ and is going his separate way without a ‘way’ being defined. Still hasn’t defined our answer to the deterioration of the planet's ecology. Same with the Iran Nuclear deal to squash nuclear ambitions. And the international trade deal that opened markets to American businesses throughout the Pacific Rim.


Agreements. Handshakes. Ink on paper. Resolve among serious leaders and thinkers. The global village was finally making its presence known and peace on a global basis was the hoped for outcome. And order and strong business climate. As well as planetary health of our home planet.


But a child appeared on the world stage. His name is donald. And he lived a spoiled existence all of his life. Someone always said yes to him, not no. others never held him accountable for his mistakes. No one corrected his nasty remarks about other people. A bully was born to a rich family. And he went on to become a wealthy bully as an adult with a child-like personality and character development.


So he pulled America out of agreements. He verbally attacked our allies. He makes demands that mean little, but holds out hope of his agreement and the following largesse. Only the latter never comes. Only the disappointment. Only the increasing vacuum of hope.


We are going nowhere. Our enemies are laughing and applauding the decline of America. Our institutions are becoming a mockery to benefit only the rich and powerful. That is not what America was, is or meant to be.


The noise of the Right and republicans is just that – noise. Too long we have witnessed it and been subjected to it. No more.


This is not a republican or democratic thing. It is an American matter. Both parties and those in between need to compromise and govern. They need to fulfill their responsibilities they pledged in order to be elected. The time to do is now.


All noise makers shut up. Serious work is called for. Adults only are to respond. Children are not allowed in the seats of power any longer.


October 4, 2019

Impeachment Coup?

No. The president is the subject of an impeachment inquiry that may lead to impeachment. Such is the process, and such is the nature of impeachment – an indictment of wrongdoing that, if proved in trial, can lead to the orderly removal of the president from office.


This is not a coup. Coups are normally violent, grisly, involve death of targeted persons and innocent bystanders. Coups are not lawful. They are the forceful taking of government power away from one party and give it to another. The other party is not the one currently elected to power. It is a taking.


The White House occupant has been in office nearly 3 years. During that time, he has bullied his way through many issues, concluding in changes to operations, procedures, and policies. He has erased standing policies with which he did not agree. He has asked staff to perform acts not in their job descriptions, then castigated them, and finally fired them, or made them resign. Enemies have popped up within the White House and external to it. Republicans have exited their own party and resigned from both the House and Senate in frustration with the ‘chief executive.’ Democrats have reluctantly played to their role as loyal opposition. Theirs is a voice of reason dictated by the US Constitution.


Denial of fact and truth is the script of the incumbent supporters of the president. They have stood in the way of logic, reason and policy for nearly 3 years. They have abetted the dilution and partial destruction of the US Constitution. They have done all of this in full view of the American people.


And those people are fed up with the nonsense, chicanery and dishonesty. Our nation no longer reflects our beliefs and values. Nothing much of value is accomplished. Problems are allowed to fester and grow without proper maintenance or repair. What once was a smooth operating government machine, is not a stuttering behemoth unable to articulate policy and procedure within any of the three branches of government – judiciary, legislative, executive. We have a mockery of America.


We are left to guess the motive. I think it is wealth and power for greedy people. I also think the ideology of rampant conservatism is not protection of America, but the minimalization of government and its role. Little policy, procedure or regulation is envisioned in such an idealized concept of government. Those with power are left to exercise it; those without power are forced to live with the consequences. People with wealth make more wealth without regulations protecting people of lesser wealth. Two classes result – the haves and have-nots.


We’ve been through this drama before throughout our history. It didn’t end well for either the wealthy or the poor. So why are we fiddling with a replay of this bad script? Because uneducated, ignorant selfish people are not aware of the repercussions of their deeds? Maybe, maybe not. Won wonders if darker purpose is afoot.


We need grownups to stand up and take charge. That’s what real adults do. And the tool they have at their disposal is the Articles of Impeachment. May they go forward and successfully stand the test of time in history. Let time judge the purity of their motives. Meanwhile, let’s clean up the White House and the Senate so the real business of America can resume.


Republicans take note: your perfidious actions and worn out ideology are on full display. Our prayers and thoughts are with you in your days of peril. Wake to the good news that awaits you.


October 3, 2019

Anniversary Nears

It doesn’t seem possible but this blog is nearly eight years old. October 5, 2011 was the first posting.


At the beginning I wrote daily, seven days a week, and if something special popped up I inserted another post that same day. After a year or so, friends suggested I skip Sundays, and maybe do something brief for Saturdays. So, I did. Sundays were eliminated. Saturdays were saved for ‘thought for the weekend.’ I did that for a few years then adopted the Monday through Friday schedule that is current to this very day.


Number of posts including today’s stands at 2632.


In the early days my word count per posting was 1000 to 1400. Readers complained that they were too long. I shortened them to be less than 1000 words, and later clipped them further. Today’s postings are between 450 and 650 words.


Still, with 2632 posts published, that’s a lot of words!


I have pondered knitting these together to form a book, or a series of books. I have been tempted. The task, however, is monumental. It was not my goal to write a book. All I wanted to do was share thoughts that came to mind from the complex of issues and pressures of modern life. Couple that backdrop with the author’s aging, and a wealth of themes come to life. It is very natural. It is quite sharable. Perhaps of more interest, it displays fully the coming to light of ideas and theories. An unfolding.


Some of these ideas are fascinating to me. Boring to readers at times, no doubt. But no blank page syndrome ever struck my efforts. I always had something to write about, something to share.

Along the way I hope this blog has helped readers think of their own ideas and motivate them to share them with others. That is part of our social nature. It is the heart of conversation. And it ought to foster civil discourse throughout the land. Well, we know that hasn’t happened, but maybe a little is better than it would have been without these efforts?


We shall never know.


Meanwhile, I will continue pounding out future messages to any and all who have the patience to read my utterings. For those of you who have been along for the entire ride, thank you!  You humble me with your loyal presence.


October 2, 2019

Left, Right and In-Between

Yes, we live in a mosh pit of opinion. Not always civil, the discussion, or shall we say, the interplay of ideas, is often messy. The mosh pit becomes more messy and difficult to parse.


I have friends and family who believe I’m a liberal. But they are a bit conservative themselves, and view me from that perspective. A gulf between our opinions exists, and it enlarges. Yes, it grows in size but I wonder if that is from my leaning farther left, or their traveling much farther to the right?


You see, I consider myself a centrist. I gladly think of the ideas from both right and left, pick the ones most practical, and work at finding a way to engage those ideas in useful pursuit. What good can come from the marriage of disparate ideas?


Now that last paragraph, is an ideal example of my centrism. I’m practical. I borrow workable ideas from those around me. I work those ideas into something practical.


The only element missing from all this is ‘to what good or purpose is this work?’


Now then, we are getting somewhere! What use is anything having to do with these matters? I think it is simple: what does the commonweal need to maintain quality of life and perhaps improve upon it? That’s it. That’s what drives my thinking.


I happen to think this is the core of centrist thought. It is unsettling, perhaps, to a conservative, because their position is to retain control over all government so it does not grow larger and encroach on personal freedoms. I tend to agree with that fear, but I do not fear government, so my approach is a bit more unfettered and positive.


Liberals are all about what should the government do for its people? I’m supportive of this generous spirit, but I consider the practicality of paying for all the largesse of the perfect liberal establishment.

I am practical; not cheap or miserly, but practical. I also don’t mind taking care of people who cannot take care of themselves. That comes from deep inside of my value structure. My ethos was shaped by Christian ideals that do not easily dislodge me from this thinking.


It matters to me that some people game the system and think others ought to support them. I think that sort of thinking stunts their personal growth and capability to do for themselves. So, you see, I am not a pure liberal, nor a pure conservative. That places me square in the centrist campground!


Centrists tend to be inventors and doers. They see the practicality of ideas and pick and choose which of them are likely to work. Blending left and right ideologies is not as challenging as it may seem. The ideas are workable in the main; it is the drama and emotion of the ideologists that muck up the discussion!


I prefer to work in the middle where the workings are more visible and malleable. Leave me be awhile and I’ll come up with something. Be forewarned, however, purists will hate what I come up with. That is on them, not me.


Let’s see what we can do with the ideas so freely given by others. Perhaps there is a solution to a common problem in that mosh pit. A good challenge for a good end!


October 1, 2019

PS: Nexus tonight at Al's Pizza. 6:30 pm. Topic: Medicare for All?

Tired and Disgusted

Lies. Storytelling. Fabrication. Corruption. Power brokering. Money grubbing. National and regional sordid deals. International dirty deeds.


Is there no depth of dishonesty this president and his team won’t stoop to? Republican allies – senators, congressmen, Republican National Committee, donors and elder statesmen in the GOP – go along with this? No one’s feet are held to the fire. No responsibility or accountability is exercised.


Yes, I am disgusted. Yes, I am profoundly disappointed and embarrassed in our reputation as a nation. This simply is not what defines us. I know that. Most of you know that as well. Yet anytime someone stands to raise an objection they are shouted down. Political cat calls are tossed back and forth. Party labels and politics seem to hold sway. And always the disguised threat of violence. Fear.


But, this is America. This is your country and mine. I speak in defense of American ethics and honesty. Our basic values are solid and good. Of course mistakes have been made. Some people are too weak to do the right thing when called upon to do so. Others take advantage of situations to gain more power or wealth or fame for themselves. Like Mitch McConnell. He used to be honest and trustworthy. No more. He does nothing but buttress the defenses of the GOP. And his own bank account. He is a very wealthy man these days. So is his wife. Very wealthy.


Same for most senators, democrats, too. What is it that builds their wealth? Their salaries are not that high. Their benefits hold them mostly harmless to rising costs, in medical care, in vacations, in sick time, in travel, in gifts and emoluments that go uncounted. They have expense accounts and free offices. They have budgets paid for by taxpayers to hire their staff to do the work of the nation, only much of that work ends up padding their own resumes and investments.


I’m tired of politics. I’m tired of labels. I’m tired of little getting accomplished while huge problems roar off the tracks. Who is in charge of this mess?  Certainly not the White House. Not the Congress either. Nor the Supreme Court. I’d say pretty much the government of the USA is not working for the people. Yet it is we the people who own this nation lock stock and barrel. It is we who have the say in all things. all power and wealth come from us.


Don’t forget that.


This is in our states too. Illinois just came out of a dark and dirty era where nothing much got done. Voters finally tossed most of the bums out and new work is being done. It will take years to repair the damage. Years. Costly and slow progress to emerge from the depths of political despair. And foolish waste of our birthrights. All for what? For the power and wealth of politicians with little morals.


With gridlock in state houses and in Congress, it’s time to discuss whether our system needs renewal. Current political organizations are not working. My personal belief is the republicans and the conservatives are mostly to blame for what ails us. But liberals and democrats are not blameless. It takes a lot of people to get this much dark work accomplished. Dirty, selfish and demoralizing.


What will it take to undo this? What tools do we the people have to take back our country and live up to its dreams and vision? Surely there are enough of us willing to do the heavy lifting to accomplish a great turnaround. Surely?


Please tell me this is possible.


September 30, 2019