WORDS DON'T FAIL ME NOW

How do I get the right words out of this computer when so many god awful things happened in the last two weeks.  A close relative sent me two articles from the on line version of the Atlantic which helped me.  Both reminded me that context is important.  Mindful of context I will begin.

--Context in Baltimore is important.  Before any of you jump up and down about the violence, let me be clear:  it would have been "better" if the protests there were non violent.  But who am I to stand in judgement of that African American community and their experiences?  The context is that the Baltimore police force has a long history of documented abuse of the citizens of that city including having settled numerous civil suits which documented the abuse of prisoners.  So, for me, it really proves that we have not moved into that post racial society despite having our first African American President.
--Context in Kansas is important.  Sam Brownback, the Governor, has abolished the state income tax which has disproportionately hurt communities with significant numbers of low income people--many of them people of color.  He is also pushing some of the most restrictive anti abortion legislation in the country.  The context is that maybe those of us who believed the changes generated by the decade of the 60's would be permanent--maybe we were/are way off.  He will not be kicked to the curb though he deserves to be.
--Context in the Mediterranean is important.  Refugees from all over Africa especially the Northern parts are fleeing and trying to get into Europe.  They are literally dying and, much like Hispanic people coming across our own southern borders, they pay outrageous "fees" and put themselves in the hands of nasty folks just to cross over.  Then the boat sinks.  The Euros had cut budgets focusing on these border crossings and had, prior to the cuts, been successful in reducing the number of deaths.  Then, boom, less money and fewer Euro ships monitoring the waters. These refugees in Europe like those in our Southwest are no different than the refugees escaping Europe and the Nazis.
--Then there is Nepal and really I have no clue what the context is there.  Except it sucks and we need to help.
--In a more semi hilarious context, we have that fine Senator Cruz saying the country is run by "liberal fascists".  And Bobby Jindal, that fine Governor of Louisiana, making budget cuts so deep that LSU (the flagship state university) has filed papers warning it may go bankrupt.  Yes there is context:  it is that these are two stupid fellows who really should just shut up since it is quite difficult to speak with your foot in your mouth and someone else's foot up your ass.
--Those fine legislators in Tennessee have decided that the state book is the bible--and they don't mean the Old Testament version and they certainly don't mean the Koran.  There are just some places I don't want to go to.
--I do believe Hilary is in for a big fight both in primaries and, if she wins, in the general election.  Like Barack, people don't like her.

Now some cultural tidbits:
--I love Helen Mirren.  Just saw her in Woman of Gold and want to run away with her.  A movie about art stolen by the Nazis and she made a very thin movie very good.
--Read anything you can find by Mark Leibovich--he mainly writes in the NY Times Magazine.  But he has written a couple of books about Washington and the "insider culture".
--Warren Buffet has no clue why folks oppose same sex marriage.  In light of that we all better hope that Justice Kennedy comes through because he is likely going to be the swing vote.
--I had mixed feelings about this Bruce Jenner business but was convinced by a friend that his coming out was important to the trans gendered community.  Then I read that he signed a contract for a series on "E!" which will document his further transition.  Now I am feeling a bit like him and the Kardashians are total publicity freaks--even if his freak might be beneficial to some people.

SPORTS TALK
--Lebron is beyond any other player partly because he is such a physical specimen and then because he has those incredible skills.  Rondo was and is an asshole and that trade, which got the Celtics Crowder, looks better and better.  Though Chiarelli deserved the boot if only for trading Sequin.

Sayonara