Out, Fox

    Commentators on the Fox TV network are being criticized for their thinly veiled suggestions that people use force to impose their judgments on politicians.
   Talk show host Jesse Watters reportedly told his audience at a conservative political conference to "ambush" Dr. Anthony Fauci with sharply phrased questions that amount to a "kill shot" that would silence the nation's top disease expert, even if the questions are based on false information.
   According to an NPR report, Watters said to the crowd, "This is when you say, 'Dr. Fauci, you funded risky research at a sloppy Chinese lab, the same lab that sprung this pandemic on the world. You know why people don't trust you, don't you?' Boom, he is dead. He's done."
   Fauci's response, made on a CNN TV appearance, was to say the remarks were "a reflection of the craziness that goes on in society."

Highest Appeal

   Donald Trump has taken his bid to stop New York's probe of his business dealings to the Supreme Court, and lawyers for both sides have asked the court to consider the case quickly.
   This is in itself unusual, since many suspect the ex-president has been using court challenges largely to delay any probe of his activities.
   However, observers said the court is not likely to say for several weeks whether it will hear the challenge, and it would then be months before it gets to hearing the case.
   Otherwise, it is possible that the court will reject the bid sooner, in which case any decisions by lower courts will stand. And there is speculation that despite the fact that three of the nine justices were appointed by Trump and that Republicans outnumber Democrats on the high bench, they will declare their independence of politics and focus entirely on the law.
 

Population Slowdown

   The pandemic helped to slow population growth in America to its slowest ever, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

   This year, the population grew by 0.1 percent (that's one-tenth of 1 percent), the agency said, and it was the first time since 1937 that the population grew by fewer than one million people. That was the lowest number since the bureau began its annual estimates in 1900.

   Part of the slowdown was caused by a drop in international migration, the agency said. Only a quarter of a million people came to America in the past ten years. Part of the slowdown was attributed to the pandemic. Earlier, "the slowest rate of growth in the 20th Century was from 1918-1919, amid the influenza pandemic and World War I."

   Add all this to the shortage of workers as businesses try to hire workers for sometimes menial jobs, and the question becomes, why is there so much opposition to newcomers from other countries with differing cultures?

   The most likely answer: bigotry.

  

World Lockdown

   The latest version of the corona virus has spread so widely and so rapidly that countries around the world are shutting down in a desperate bid to control it. 

   In America, many of the nation's most popular sports activities are delaying their games because players are testing positive for the latest variant of the disease. 

   Many cities are canceling their New Year's Eve celebrations, which draw massive crowds overnight no matter how cold it may get. New York City, however, has not yet pulled the plug on its Times Square gathering. 

   Stay tuned. The mayor may yet say, "Don't come." Don't be surprised, however, if thousands of people gather in Manhattan no matter the weather or the cancellation.

   A virus, however, is not known to be politically correct in its willingness to follow a government official's orders.

Block Aid

  Former president Donald Trump is suing to block New York investigators from continuing their probe of his business activities in the years before and during his term in office.

   Whether this has any likelihood of succeeding is an open question. One wonders where it says that someone can stop an official investigation that has only just begun. Moreover, civil investigations often take years. In addition, this one is a state investigation, and federal officials have no authority over what New York chooses to probe.

   There's also the question of funding. News reports have detailed the ex-president's money-raising political activities even as his personal and business activities show a lack of funding.

   So who's paying the investigators? Besides, if a person is innocent, why bother to stop a probe?

   One answer would be a strong ego. Another would be ... 

Freedom and Speech

    "The times, they are a-changin'." -- Bob Dylan

 

   America was formed from change.

   From its earliest days, when European invaders pushed Native tribes aside and brought their own customs -- including slavery -- to the New World, to the current years, those who suffered from any change accepted the consequences. At least, that's what the winners claimed. Reality, however, said otherwise.

   "Nobody likes a loser," the winners insisted, trying to persuade others to accept the new situation and do what they're told.

   There comes a time, however, when someone who is accustomed to winning -- no matter how it is arranged -- finally is outvoted and has to leave his elevated position.

   So does this loser accept the vote and move on with his life?

   For someone who has spent his life seeking approval and demanding to be liked, this is not acceptable. Therefore, he does not accept the vote, even if it is a strong majority.

   This is the problem that faces America today, and the question becomes, what to do about it.

   Those who did not like the results of the recent presidential vote gathered nearly a year ago to protest the inauguration of the winner. But the opposition candidate could not and does not accept the notion that he is, in fact, a loser.

   The question now is, what to do about it. There is strong evidence that suggests the loser encouraged his believers to overturn what he insists was a "rigged" election and prevent the inauguration of the winner.

   Losers have the right to complain about the results of anything -- in this case, an election -- and this free speech is protected by the Constitution. But when this allegedly free speech causes followers to cause harm to others, the speaker becomes little more than a trouble maker, and there are laws about that.

   It may well be true that few people love a loser, but when a loser gripes so loudly and for so long that it leads to violence, it's time for society to gather its resources and shut him up.

Viral Politics

   Playing politics with public health is, to put it bluntly, stupid.

   Unless, of course, those in government have a larger, longer range goal, and that would be to undermine public loyalty to the opposition political party so they can increase their own power.

   Perhaps if politicians had a better reputation for speaking truthfully, America would not have its current problems.

   That's another way of noting that hypocrisy rules.

 

Packing SCOTUS

   Republicans are suddenly outraged at the idea of expanding the Supreme Court, allegedly so Democrats can add some of their own to the bench and thus pack the court in their favor.

   Therefore, wrote one of their flacks, "there has never in history been a more important time" to defeat Democrats in November. The pitch cites a tweet indicating that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) supports adding four seats to SCOTUS. (Therefore, send money.)

   An odd pitch, warning of a court-packing, since the GOP did just that a few years ago by stalling President Obama's single appointment so Donald Trump could name three conservative Republicans to the court.

   But they do make one valid point: Politicizing the judicial system is a bad idea.

   Perhaps they will listen to their own propaganda.

  

Mandatory Foolishness

    Junior Trump warns that the anti-covid vaccine is an "authoritarian mandate" to crush the Constitution and to fire "millions of hard-working Americans."

   To stop this assault on American freedom, the son of the ex-president adds, he asks for political contributions "to stop Joe Biden."

   Meanwhile, more than 800,000 Americans have died from the virus, and variants threaten to push that total to nearly one million. Hospitals are once again filling up with patients as the virus continues to spread. And around the world, the disease continues to sicken those who do not have access to a life-saving vaccine.

   Apparently, politics is more important than American lives.

Oak Wise

   Druidry is growing around the world as people look for a spiritual practice that does not require strict obedience to a set of rules imposed by others.
   Many folks look for specific instructions on how to contact a spiritual advisor or deity. Druidry does not give specific directions. Rather, it suggests that every person reach out to the Otherworld in their own way. This is similar to what practitioners of other belief systems do, including variations of Shamanism, the Asian term used for native belief systems in cultures around the world. Each has been modified as people adapt the principles to better fit the cultural traditions they know and are comfortable with.
   This is also true of other spiritual traditions that live on in their cultures despite attempts by newer religious organizations to stamp them out. Sadly, this strategy has been the root of many wars -- the belief that one way is right and all others are evil. Politics and economics are usually cited as the causes of military conflict, but an underlying reason is often religious.
   When conversations mix politics and religion, the result often leads to argument and violence. Add economics to the mix, and on a national level, this means war.
   Some preachers assail faith healers as wishful thinkers or at worst as devil worshippers, especially those who do not share the same spiritual beliefs. And they criticize physicians who do not emphasize the healing power of faith. There is room for both. Each contributes to a person's well being. They both are healers -- one through faith and the other through the physical. That's why medical healers are called physicians.
   Conflicts often arise between physicians and faith healers. It's not likely that some faith healers will abandon their criticism of medics, but it is possible to counter-balance what they say. They rely on their right to freedom of speech, but those who disagree can do the same.
   A problem arises when radical preachers claim that right for themselves but want to take it away from others. At the same time, a preacher may want to establish his belief system as somehow official and others are unconstitutional.
   In this context, some will ask which religion or belief system is best?
   The answer is the one that works best for you. Find a spiritual path that is comfortable for you to follow and stay on it regardless of what others may say.
   There is a temptation to share the cause of your spiritual or religious comfort with others in such a way as to convert them to your belief system.

   If they ask, go ahead and share. Otherwise, don't do it, because what works for you may not work for others.
   That way madness lies.

Anchors Away

   Two major TV news anchors are leaving their networks, each citing the drastic change in news coverage and the loss of neutrality among viewers.

   Brian Williams of MSNBC and Chris Wallace of Fox each announced their plans as the broadcast week drew to a close. Both lamented the changes in viewer demands. Both are known for their journalistic neutrality and their reputation for asking tough questions.

   Williams did not say what his future plans are. Wallace will move to CNN+, the company's non-broadcast news operation. However, it was clear that Wallace's leaving was prompted by the increase in right-wing commentary on the Fox network, with some of its commentators skirting and sometimes crossing the bounds of truth.

   Earlier, news anchor Shepard Smith left the Fox Network for similar reasons. He is now with CNBC. 

The Best W

    The basic tenet of journalism is to deal with the Five Ws of any story -- Who, What, Where, When and Why.

   These days, the final W -- Why -- is more important than ever on the national level.

   Why are the Trumpians delaying and doing their best to avoid questions by the Congressional committee  investigating the January 6 mob attack on the nation's Capitol?

   Equally important, why is the committee not swiftly issuing subpoenas to those who refuse to attend committee hearings?

   The translation of the term "subpoena" is "under penalty." But if there is no penalty for refusing to comply with the committee's order to attend, then there is no penalty, and the committee's work is pointless.

   Again comes the Why question: Why is the committee not enforcing its order to testify?

   The first four Ws are relatively easy, since the entire world has seen video of the assault. But the first -- Who is behind organizing the attack -- is of primary importance. The What, Where and When are easily documented by video and by personal recollections of Congressional members trapped by the assault on that day.

   That leaves the Who and the Why.

   It is nearly a full year since the event. (It was too well organized to be termed a riot.) The people of America deserve and need answers.

Election Begathon

    The election day begathon has begun, and it's nearly a full year until the next voting day. And that voting day is an interim election year, when control of Congress is up for grabs.

   But that's the point for those now in the minority, and those anxious to keep their control. Moreover, it's complicated by the redrawing of election districts to "conform" to the most recent census count.

   Already, lawsuits are being filed over allegations of gerrymandering to ensure one party maintains control.

   Come down to the essence, and that's the principle of politics these days -- control.

   It's not about doing what's right for the nation, but it's about controlling what government does so those in power can do what is financially beneficial for their backers.

   This week, the nation lost one of its better government officials, and his loss only emphasized how politics has changed. And not for the better.

   Bob Dole, a veteran of World War II, the U.S. Senate and a candidate for vice president, died the day before the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. He was known not only for his sharp humor, but also for his ability to work with the political opposition to achieve measures that would benefit the people -- all the people of the nation, not just those of a single party.

  

Gun Violence

      More than 500 people have died of gunfire in Philadelphia so far this year, up from 400 just a few weeks ago.

   Nationwide, the total is nearly 20,000. That's an increase of some 5,000 gunshot fatalities compared to 2018.

   Yet for all the talk about the soaring death rate, there has been little talk about tighter controls. Instead, there have been efforts to blame the increase on the spread of the corona virus and its mutations, which bring more tension to social relationships.

   That may well be true, but deaths from the virus have increased in other countries worldwide, and it's not clear whether gun deaths have also increased in those countries.

   Meanwhile, the logic is clear: More guns bring more deaths. Therefore, fewer guns will mean fewer deaths.

   One wonders whether Canada, which has strict gun ownership laws, has also seen an increase in gun violence and deaths. A quick check shows that gun homicides in Canada reached a five-year high in 2020 at a total of 277. Or Britain, or Ireland, or Australia, or New Zealand, other nations where the English language is predominant but gun laws are more strict.

   In Britain, gun homicides in 2018 totaled 33. In Australia, there are an estimated 14 firearms per 100 inhabitants. In the United States, that ratio is 120. That means there are more guns in America than there are people.

   That raises the question, why do so many Americans feel they need multiple firearms?

   One reason proposed by the gun lobby is that Americans rely on the Second Amendment to have guns so they can retaliate against invaders. From where, Canada? Apparently these believers do not trust the U.S. military, including the Marine Corps, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Forces and other highly trained personnel to defend the nation from invaders on the other side of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

   Meanwhile, the proliferation of guns in America leads to more killings of students and children while they are attending school.

    

Josephine Baker

    France paused this week to honor the American Black woman singer who was instrumental in helping her adopted nation deal with the Nazi invasion during World War II.

   The French international TV operation carried the ceremony live and in full, while the British and German networks available in America devoted extensive coverage to the honors.

   But there were no reports carried on major American TV networks. One wonders why. Was it because they did not know who Josephine Baker was, or did they decide the event was not newsworthy?

   She was born in the U.S., lived in Harlem, moved to France and became the most popular entertainer in the country in the 1930s and 1940s. She stayed in Paris during the occupation and used her position to have contact with German military officers and pass on valued information to the French Resistance.

   After the war, she was given several of the nation's top honors, including one personally by Charles de Gaulle. She later appeared at the side of Rev. Martin Luther King during his "I have a dream" speech.

   Yet despite all this, when the nation of France inducted her into its Pantheon in Paris, to join its most honored citizens, American TV networks had no coverage of the event.

   One wonders why.