Your appreciation for the here-and-now joy of family gatherings, and new memories for you to hold when Bella can’t, and your deep-rooted concern for your children and future generations, are some examples of what you and George Will will never have in common.
Along with your “eye” for nature’s gifts and human emotions… which most cameras will never capture.
Thank you for all the images you pass on to us, Will - in photos - as well as within your creative prose. All reminders of whether we believe in the “here-after” or not, we can still find common ground with each other when we keep our minds and all our senses open to the sights and sounds of this season… and all the seasons ahead.
Well said. Having spent most of my career as a columnist for a mid-sized daily outside D.C. I adored George Will. Still do. But he is 'emblematic,' as he would say, of the breakdown of 21st century conservatism. As extreme right orthodoxy left facts behind, the logic and rationale of the moderate right became ever more strained in its defense of conservatism in general. It used to be difficult to poke holes in Will's logic; today it's no sport at all.
I always wonder what the climate change deniers (other than Big Oil) get out of denying. How to ignore the hurricanes and floods, the desertification, and the dying polar bears? Money closes eyes and minds. Shame on you, George Will.
Great question, Wendy. I think it’s part of the rejection of all things “woke.” They lump it in with all the stuff the libs are about: LGBTQ (especially the T), DEI, not vilifying immigrants, etc.
I wonder, will Mr. Will's opinion change when its symptoms show up on his doorstep? It's always interesting how personal experience can so often change one's mind.
I agree. On a small scale, it kills personal growth, kills broadening mindsets, kills humility, etc., hence, we have much of our country delusioned. On a grand scale it ignores threats to human rights and dangers to the planet's environment and, so yes, threats to the ideal of democracy and world progress.
While you enjoy watching movies and puzzling till your puzzler is sore, remember someone is in the kitchen making sure that traditional Thanksgiving feast makes it to the table!! It takes a lot of work to make it appear just like magic, just sayin’! 😉😋
And now with himself back in the White House we can expect no help on the climate. Indeed, we can expect attacks on the planet. But here’s the thing. Local action is incredibly effective in battling climate change! Demand that local schools compost food waste! Chances are some local operations are burning their solid waste. They need to stop that! Donate unneeded clothing to the goodwill. And while you’re there, do a little shopping! Small steps really can make a difference!
While some are fighting over whether hurricanes, floods, and droughts will destroy humanity, few are looking at the little things. A warmer climate will breed new life forms. Just look to the jungles and the variety of life that existence within that ecosystem.
Some believe that a quick change to solar, wind, ocean wave, and geothermal energy is the solution, maybe its not. They may cause unforeseen ecological problems in the future that are more difficult to unravel.
During the time of the Industrial Revolution how many people would say foresaw the future of the planet getting warmer due to mechanization? Follow the links in “History of climate change science” and see where they lead you
Your appreciation for the here-and-now joy of family gatherings, and new memories for you to hold when Bella can’t, and your deep-rooted concern for your children and future generations, are some examples of what you and George Will will never have in common.
Along with your “eye” for nature’s gifts and human emotions… which most cameras will never capture.
Thank you for all the images you pass on to us, Will - in photos - as well as within your creative prose. All reminders of whether we believe in the “here-after” or not, we can still find common ground with each other when we keep our minds and all our senses open to the sights and sounds of this season… and all the seasons ahead.
What Susan said!!
Hear that, David Shipley? Double dare you!
Triple dare!
Well said. Having spent most of my career as a columnist for a mid-sized daily outside D.C. I adored George Will. Still do. But he is 'emblematic,' as he would say, of the breakdown of 21st century conservatism. As extreme right orthodoxy left facts behind, the logic and rationale of the moderate right became ever more strained in its defense of conservatism in general. It used to be difficult to poke holes in Will's logic; today it's no sport at all.
They "left facts behind." Gonna remember that one. Thanks!
I always wonder what the climate change deniers (other than Big Oil) get out of denying. How to ignore the hurricanes and floods, the desertification, and the dying polar bears? Money closes eyes and minds. Shame on you, George Will.
Great question, Wendy. I think it’s part of the rejection of all things “woke.” They lump it in with all the stuff the libs are about: LGBTQ (especially the T), DEI, not vilifying immigrants, etc.
Wow, global warming is EVEN WORSE than same sex marriage!
I wonder, will Mr. Will's opinion change when its symptoms show up on his doorstep? It's always interesting how personal experience can so often change one's mind.
A nice capture of a well spent Thanksgiving with family. Thanks Will.
The inability of people to admit when they are wrong is what kills democracy.
I agree. On a small scale, it kills personal growth, kills broadening mindsets, kills humility, etc., hence, we have much of our country delusioned. On a grand scale it ignores threats to human rights and dangers to the planet's environment and, so yes, threats to the ideal of democracy and world progress.
One of my favorite questions is:
When you find out that you have been wrong, do you feel good that you are making an improvement, or do you feel ashamed that you have been wrong?
Has happened to me more than once!
BOTH!
Great why.
While you enjoy watching movies and puzzling till your puzzler is sore, remember someone is in the kitchen making sure that traditional Thanksgiving feast makes it to the table!! It takes a lot of work to make it appear just like magic, just sayin’! 😉😋
You are so right!
I had a conversation with a kid
10 years ago
he was raised in a conservative household. You know a place where if you argue right, you can win when you are wrong.
The comment I remember:
"What if that 1% of climate people are right... what..."
My response, the only response.
"You are going to bet the world on 1%."
My response then, my response 15 years before and my response now.
I was right then and of course I am right now. If only those on the right could understand science.
=============
George Will needed conservative cred.. he needed their support as they needed theirs
George Will bet the planet.. on an 1% gamble.. he didn't have odds
he didn't have inside information, he had nothing
He bet against the odds and he had no reason.. No one gave him 10 to one bet so we would have a world that was 10 times better if he was right.
'What if..." great bet if you are okay with bad odds if you think you could play the lottery and win~!!
And now with himself back in the White House we can expect no help on the climate. Indeed, we can expect attacks on the planet. But here’s the thing. Local action is incredibly effective in battling climate change! Demand that local schools compost food waste! Chances are some local operations are burning their solid waste. They need to stop that! Donate unneeded clothing to the goodwill. And while you’re there, do a little shopping! Small steps really can make a difference!
Could the fungi be an indication of climate change? Funny that they suddenly appeared.
Hello Paula, now that is an interesting thought.
I like the term Global Warming more than Climate Change because the warming of the planet will change more than just the climate. History of climate change science https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_climate_change_science
While some are fighting over whether hurricanes, floods, and droughts will destroy humanity, few are looking at the little things. A warmer climate will breed new life forms. Just look to the jungles and the variety of life that existence within that ecosystem.
Some believe that a quick change to solar, wind, ocean wave, and geothermal energy is the solution, maybe its not. They may cause unforeseen ecological problems in the future that are more difficult to unravel.
During the time of the Industrial Revolution how many people would say foresaw the future of the planet getting warmer due to mechanization? Follow the links in “History of climate change science” and see where they lead you
Isn't it true that global warming will also cause new viruses, and some old ones too, to appear?
A Virus is not a living organism. They exist at the boundary. Search Wikipedia
I thought he was a bright man. Now I feel differently.
I guess George Will is not one of our own. His essay is nothing more than a cop out.
As for the Washington Post publishing your reply… Good luck.