Hubbell's words about all the appintments capture Trumps needs for total loyalty and the danger of each unqualified appointment, especially Patel. I think Biden's decision to pardon his son was his clear sense of the vindictive "retribution" that Trump and Patel and Maga would inflict on Hunter. I thought of Bolton as very problematic...as I did of Dick Cheney.. Interesting how these "dangerous" people are now so much less dangerous than Trump's chosen ones.
Have a good journey to Hawaii---may it provide a space of peace, love, and beauty along with the sadness of deep loss of a loved one. Take care,.
I share your concern for Patel. If the FBI is allowed to become an army of Trump acolytes, well, then that is where it will begin. Am I going too far? It can happen here.
basically you are writing down/recording (I have a computer file) where you write down things you are grateful for. You should do it on a regular bases, that works for you. I write down three things a day
here is a recent three
ª egg tacos
ª bells
ª long sleep weekends
you don't need to do three a day.. it could be one a day or one a week.. but regular
They should be simple things that give you joy. And it is better to break it down into parts. Not my family, but list family members one at a time.
Ironically, after stopping for a year, I needed to start this when the election was in the final months.
What happens, it takes you away from all the bad in the world... i.e. the everyday headlines, clickbait and the jokes on late night tv about incompetent political leaders
and you take a positive view of the world because their are more good than bad (even though often the bad.. is big an horrible)
Also, it is key to NOT be passive agressive or say: "I am grateful matt gaetz isn't going to be attorney general" or wishing harm: "I am glad henry kissinger finally died"
start seeing your world as good.
"A beautiful sunset on Black Friday" made me think this
Thanks for such positivity Edward in a time where it is needed. I write that while staring out over the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful balmy climate glad to be here at this moment, at this time. Thanks for the reminder.
I’m holding on to the slim hope that there are enough Republican senators who will see the danger and not vote to confirm these horrible choices. Slim indeed, but until it happens there’s still a chance.
Maybe I’m just seeing the glass as half full, but Trump seems to entering office as the lamest of lame ducks. Even the South Korean couldn’t pull off a coup that lasted for more than 6 hours. So Trump’s president for life delusions aren’t likely to pan out.
Has any other president seen one cabinet pick after another go down ignominiously? Hegseth seems to be DOA and Trump is so desperate he’s turning to the guy he called Meatball Ron to run the Pentagon. Who’s next? Dr. Fauci for HHS? Can’t believe RFK Jr is actually going to make it. Pharma guys have gotta be all over those Republican senators.
I’ll just share this because it’s about fixing the Dems as well as stopping Republicans.
In regard to “the press” - today’s Post Star front page happily announces the hiring of a new Editor…with a brief one-liner that Steve Thurston no longer works there…no explanation, no thanks for his service, nothing.
After finishing Chris Mele’s novel “Goodwill’s Secrets, Gone Without a Trace” about the newspaper firings’/hirings’ practices in the Adirondacks…Steve Thurston’s sudden departure is intriguing…as he is still listed as the Post Star Editor on today’s Editorial page!
I can’t wait to see how the same people who screamed government overreach when they tried to limit the size of sodas react when RFK Jr. tries to take away junk food!
For the most part, I agree, but this being a second term they will have to decide how far they are willing to go. So far I think they’ve been going along to get along, but I think they will be faced with a pretty stark decision to either maintain a little of their own power, or completely abdicate it all to permanent MAGA control. I would think it’s got to be sticking in at least some craws. It does take some ego to go into politics, after all.
The amount of insanity that is in front of us is going to make our heads spin. But it will pale in comparison to the amount of utter disinformation and falsehood. That will make our spinning heads explode.🤯
The fact that Fox News is ignoring the Department of Defense nominees drinking and sexual assault accusations is also frightening as it continues to be a propaganda channel.
Some serious issues there, and a beautiful photo. But just a random comment about one of the great sportswriters, now pretty much unknown even among fanatical sports fans, who you mention.That is Jimmy Cannon, one of the early inventors of what used to be called “triple dot” sports writing,
Which meant unrelated, short items in his hard hitting columns. These items were then separated by dots. Easy to put together, this type of journalism was then picked up by big time non sports (e.g. gossip, Hollywood) columnists. I best remember his “Guess Who” triple dot columns that would outline some egregious activity but not name the “villain”. Quite awhile ago, though, the idea of protecting somebody for their unethical actions fell apart and that type of “protective”
Journalism went totally out of fashion. BTW, My recollection is that Cannon spent quite a bit of time at the Saratoga track with another forgotten sports writing legend, Red Smith, and I definitely recall that Ian Fleming wrote admiringly about Cannon in one of his James Bond novels, maybe the one about Lake George.
I don't follow sports writers and the name Jimmy Cannon is totally unfamiliar to me. However, I am fascinated by your post, triple dot sports writing and Ian Fleming's admiration for Cannon. I taught American History for 25 years. Instruction in writing essays was a significant part of that job. I still love essays and editorials. However, I have become a big fan of bulleted writing in specific instances. I'm going to look into Jimmy Cannon's work and style.
Jimmy Cannon was the first newspaper writer byline I ever knew and I remember being devastated when he died and finding it hard to believe that his voice has been extinguished. Ohters came afterward of course: Art Buchwald, Dick Young, Red Smith, Mitch Albom. Today my must read every week is David Brooks.
Ken- You are so correct about the U.S. needing to support and allow assisted suicide. We treat our pets with more kindness in this regard than we do our loved ones.
And on somewhat the same subject, your darling Gillian is still, in her present molecular state, fortunate to have your love and to be at rest in beautiful Hawaii. I know how difficult the holidays are without her, and so is every day. Take some comfort reflecting on all the readers you touch with your incisive thoughts. You help me through the current lunacy.
I have come to realize that a lot in the past few months... Still, she could have helped with Thanksgiving dinner a little.... Where is that damn meat thermomenter?
a more succinct, albeit more profane, summary of tfg’s appointments came from jeff tiedrich’s substack. he wrote that tfg has “clearly reached the because fuck you, that’s why stage of the process.”
Honestly, I think the nomination of Kash Patel is what motivated Biden to pardon Hunter. Who could blame someone who had a wife and daughter killed in a car accident, and another son lost to cancer, for wanting to protect his 5-year-sober adult son? Honestly, I would think less of Joe Biden if he did not pardon Hunter. I would think it would be immoral to throw Hunter to the MAGA wolves, who have run on a platform of retribution and revenge. Patel has a list, and he's checking it twice, and he wants to dredge up the Burisma investigation again.
Honestly -- Joe Biden would have a hard time looking himself in the mirror if he could have done something to get Hunter out of harm's way, and he failed to act.
It's hard to agree that Trump's appointments are an insult to the American people when 50% of those who voted wanted to be represented by grifters, liars, sexual predators, racists, liars, or just plain idiots. And way too many of our fellow Americans couldn't be bothered to vote at all. Seems like the majority of voters couldn't be bothered to educate themselves about the election, acted on their base instincts, voted their prejudices. Is it an insult that Trump is giving a majority of American voters exactly what they want and who they are?
An insult to our democracy and our Constitution, yes! But not to the majority of voters & those who couldn't be bothered to fill out a ballot.
Hubbell's words about all the appintments capture Trumps needs for total loyalty and the danger of each unqualified appointment, especially Patel. I think Biden's decision to pardon his son was his clear sense of the vindictive "retribution" that Trump and Patel and Maga would inflict on Hunter. I thought of Bolton as very problematic...as I did of Dick Cheney.. Interesting how these "dangerous" people are now so much less dangerous than Trump's chosen ones.
Have a good journey to Hawaii---may it provide a space of peace, love, and beauty along with the sadness of deep loss of a loved one. Take care,.
I share your concern for Patel. If the FBI is allowed to become an army of Trump acolytes, well, then that is where it will begin. Am I going too far? It can happen here.
related/unrelated
I have been a firm believe in gratitude theory https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/gratitude_journal
basically you are writing down/recording (I have a computer file) where you write down things you are grateful for. You should do it on a regular bases, that works for you. I write down three things a day
here is a recent three
ª egg tacos
ª bells
ª long sleep weekends
you don't need to do three a day.. it could be one a day or one a week.. but regular
They should be simple things that give you joy. And it is better to break it down into parts. Not my family, but list family members one at a time.
Ironically, after stopping for a year, I needed to start this when the election was in the final months.
What happens, it takes you away from all the bad in the world... i.e. the everyday headlines, clickbait and the jokes on late night tv about incompetent political leaders
and you take a positive view of the world because their are more good than bad (even though often the bad.. is big an horrible)
Also, it is key to NOT be passive agressive or say: "I am grateful matt gaetz isn't going to be attorney general" or wishing harm: "I am glad henry kissinger finally died"
start seeing your world as good.
"A beautiful sunset on Black Friday" made me think this
https://balancethroughsimplicity.com/why-writing-a-morning-gratitude-list-is-the-best-thing-you-can-do-all-day/
Thanks for such positivity Edward in a time where it is needed. I write that while staring out over the Pacific Ocean in a beautiful balmy climate glad to be here at this moment, at this time. Thanks for the reminder.
turns out
thinking positive = makes you positive
or at least gives you hope
Yes! Assisted Suicide needs to be legitimized in New York State. Now!
I’m holding on to the slim hope that there are enough Republican senators who will see the danger and not vote to confirm these horrible choices. Slim indeed, but until it happens there’s still a chance.
Maybe I’m just seeing the glass as half full, but Trump seems to entering office as the lamest of lame ducks. Even the South Korean couldn’t pull off a coup that lasted for more than 6 hours. So Trump’s president for life delusions aren’t likely to pan out.
Has any other president seen one cabinet pick after another go down ignominiously? Hegseth seems to be DOA and Trump is so desperate he’s turning to the guy he called Meatball Ron to run the Pentagon. Who’s next? Dr. Fauci for HHS? Can’t believe RFK Jr is actually going to make it. Pharma guys have gotta be all over those Republican senators.
I’ll just share this because it’s about fixing the Dems as well as stopping Republicans.
https://open.substack.com/pub/thebulwark/p/democratic-party-collapse-in-florida-and-nationally?r=9qpud&utm_medium=ios
I'm holding my breath because they haven't had any votes so far, just bad press.
In regard to “the press” - today’s Post Star front page happily announces the hiring of a new Editor…with a brief one-liner that Steve Thurston no longer works there…no explanation, no thanks for his service, nothing.
After finishing Chris Mele’s novel “Goodwill’s Secrets, Gone Without a Trace” about the newspaper firings’/hirings’ practices in the Adirondacks…Steve Thurston’s sudden departure is intriguing…as he is still listed as the Post Star Editor on today’s Editorial page!
Wondering how many of those serving in Congress would climb a fence to protect our democracy.
considering the house and senate republicans have been trying to destroy it, with the backing of the Supreme court....
... I have little hope
I can’t wait to see how the same people who screamed government overreach when they tried to limit the size of sodas react when RFK Jr. tries to take away junk food!
Sadly, the checks and balances seem to have disappeared.
For the most part, I agree, but this being a second term they will have to decide how far they are willing to go. So far I think they’ve been going along to get along, but I think they will be faced with a pretty stark decision to either maintain a little of their own power, or completely abdicate it all to permanent MAGA control. I would think it’s got to be sticking in at least some craws. It does take some ego to go into politics, after all.
Is it his last term? I'm not convinced.
It will be if enough Republicans decide it would be a bridge too far. If they continue to be as spineless as they have been, all bets are off.
sadly we all thought this of susan collins
now we have three lying supreme court justices who are making laws, not supporting them
The amount of insanity that is in front of us is going to make our heads spin. But it will pale in comparison to the amount of utter disinformation and falsehood. That will make our spinning heads explode.🤯
The fact that Fox News is ignoring the Department of Defense nominees drinking and sexual assault accusations is also frightening as it continues to be a propaganda channel.
Yes. Yes it is. It has become the MAGA news channel.
I think family members of many maga fools have a legit grounds for a class action suit against fox (for brainwashing family members)
Extreme, but possibly true.
I am not counting on it, but hoping
Family members did turn in the insurrectionists.. so maybe... just maybe
Some serious issues there, and a beautiful photo. But just a random comment about one of the great sportswriters, now pretty much unknown even among fanatical sports fans, who you mention.That is Jimmy Cannon, one of the early inventors of what used to be called “triple dot” sports writing,
Which meant unrelated, short items in his hard hitting columns. These items were then separated by dots. Easy to put together, this type of journalism was then picked up by big time non sports (e.g. gossip, Hollywood) columnists. I best remember his “Guess Who” triple dot columns that would outline some egregious activity but not name the “villain”. Quite awhile ago, though, the idea of protecting somebody for their unethical actions fell apart and that type of “protective”
Journalism went totally out of fashion. BTW, My recollection is that Cannon spent quite a bit of time at the Saratoga track with another forgotten sports writing legend, Red Smith, and I definitely recall that Ian Fleming wrote admiringly about Cannon in one of his James Bond novels, maybe the one about Lake George.
I don't follow sports writers and the name Jimmy Cannon is totally unfamiliar to me. However, I am fascinated by your post, triple dot sports writing and Ian Fleming's admiration for Cannon. I taught American History for 25 years. Instruction in writing essays was a significant part of that job. I still love essays and editorials. However, I have become a big fan of bulleted writing in specific instances. I'm going to look into Jimmy Cannon's work and style.
Hopefully, you've heard of Red Smith and Jim Murray. Jim Murray once wrote from the Indianapolis 500 "Gentlemen, start your coffins."
Love it, love it!!!
Roger Angell is pretty good
as is John Gierach (though he mainly wrote about fly fishing)
I always thought of him as more long-form.
both.. (not sure which you are referring to) to me are essay writers...
I think columnists are a unique subset all to themselves.
Jimmy Cannon was the first newspaper writer byline I ever knew and I remember being devastated when he died and finding it hard to believe that his voice has been extinguished. Ohters came afterward of course: Art Buchwald, Dick Young, Red Smith, Mitch Albom. Today my must read every week is David Brooks.
Ken- You are so correct about the U.S. needing to support and allow assisted suicide. We treat our pets with more kindness in this regard than we do our loved ones.
And on somewhat the same subject, your darling Gillian is still, in her present molecular state, fortunate to have your love and to be at rest in beautiful Hawaii. I know how difficult the holidays are without her, and so is every day. Take some comfort reflecting on all the readers you touch with your incisive thoughts. You help me through the current lunacy.
I have come to realize that a lot in the past few months... Still, she could have helped with Thanksgiving dinner a little.... Where is that damn meat thermomenter?
Tender tough and telling words we need to keep hearing - much appreciated!
Diane
a more succinct, albeit more profane, summary of tfg’s appointments came from jeff tiedrich’s substack. he wrote that tfg has “clearly reached the because fuck you, that’s why stage of the process.”
I totally agree with that.
Honestly, I think the nomination of Kash Patel is what motivated Biden to pardon Hunter. Who could blame someone who had a wife and daughter killed in a car accident, and another son lost to cancer, for wanting to protect his 5-year-sober adult son? Honestly, I would think less of Joe Biden if he did not pardon Hunter. I would think it would be immoral to throw Hunter to the MAGA wolves, who have run on a platform of retribution and revenge. Patel has a list, and he's checking it twice, and he wants to dredge up the Burisma investigation again.
Honestly -- Joe Biden would have a hard time looking himself in the mirror if he could have done something to get Hunter out of harm's way, and he failed to act.
I believe that Kamala was going to do the pardoning (pulling a Gerald Ford)
but that didn't work out
That would make sense.
All true. I mean that is what Trump and his minions have promised to do.
It's hard to agree that Trump's appointments are an insult to the American people when 50% of those who voted wanted to be represented by grifters, liars, sexual predators, racists, liars, or just plain idiots. And way too many of our fellow Americans couldn't be bothered to vote at all. Seems like the majority of voters couldn't be bothered to educate themselves about the election, acted on their base instincts, voted their prejudices. Is it an insult that Trump is giving a majority of American voters exactly what they want and who they are?
An insult to our democracy and our Constitution, yes! But not to the majority of voters & those who couldn't be bothered to fill out a ballot.
All good points.
Well? Which way was it? I can't stand the suspense😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣