KIDS REMAIN SEPARATED

We have mostly forgotten that too many very young children are still separated from their parents.   Some of these parents are in other countries while the children are in our country.  This is not about "they knew it was illegal so they have to suffer the consequences".  That is a bullshit fallacious argument.  This is about child abuse; this is about children who in the coming years will likely have PTSD; this is about children being treated in places that might not be safe; and it is not so finally about what values our government does or does not have.  It is ugly and worthy only of disgust.

Moving on:

--The anonymous op ed writer was gutless. If the writer was so worried he or she should quit and then tell us all about it.  I am not feeling safer.  I will say this:  that op ed piece combined with the Woodward book confirmed many things we have thought but were not sure about.  Mainly, that the man in the White House is not a stable individual and he is very likely in need of some serious medication.  That is scary.
--For the first time in way too long, the people I voted for on a local level actually won.  As of 1/1, my State Rep and the District Attorney will both be women of color.  It also turns out that the Police Chief is a man of color as is the local sheriff.  This old timey city is becoming more like the rest of the country--a city that has a population that is majority minority.
--Plus a woman of color ousted a long term incumbent.  Its a new world.
--Kapernick may never play in the NFL again but he has a good shot at wining his legal battle.  When you see what passes for quarterbacks who do play, you have to believe Kapernick is better than many of them and is getting royally screwed.
--Culture update.  "The Black Clown" is a drama/dance/ musical based on a Langston Hughes poem and is as superb as it is sad.  Saw Joan Baez last night.  Supposedly, this is her farewell tour.  Maybe maybe not. She was glorious.  Plus I was way on the young side!!.
--For god's sake they are Canada geese--not Canadian geese and they do not go South for the winter.  They are here forever.
--I'm not a big tennis fan and I certainly do not understand the rules.  But I have watched enough to
know that all those coaches coach from the stands.  I also know that Serena acted like a diva and took some of the attention away from the performance of the young woman from Japan.
--The Globe has been beating us down with all the shark sightings and wringing their hands at the "what do we do" about this problem.  Then lo and behold someone died from a shark attack.  It is very sad I know.  But the Globe rally went to town with it being as how they are the best paper for animals in the country.
--Hurricanes are awful--I get it.  But the folks at the weather channel could barely keep it in their respective pants they were so excited.
--If you are fasting, have an easy one.

SPORTS TALK
I am writing this in lieu of watching Mr. Brady and they boys being thrashed by the Jags.  Me thinks the Pats will forever be over rated as long as Brady is here.  My Yanks are dying on the vine as their pitching implodes.  Not sure how good my Wolverines are but OSU may not be as good as first thought.

Shalom

SOME NOT SO RANDOM THOUGHTS

I know it seems like forever when last you heard from me.  And yet, it has only been a month.  Let's start with this:

--The dump in Tyringham (look it up) pales in comparison with the one in Monterey (look that up also).  Plus it is staffed by one virtually silent guy--as opposed to the talkative "dumpster"  attendant in Monterey.  As a bonus, there is a shed in Monterey which functions like the Salvation Army thrift store.  No contest.
--My correspondent in New Mexico had some concerns about how I have used those 3 good ole boys to stereotype Southerners.  Not too many of you have written let alone written so thoughtfully.  Truth is, I am a child of the segregated South and do have some rather villainous thoughts about those folks.  But, truth also is, that I don't have any recent experience with white Southerners--except of course with Beauregard Sessions which is a whole different story.  But in light of the correspondent's comments and my recent experience at two dumps (what, you didn't think there was a connection to the first paragraph? Shame shame), I will henceforth use those two geezers as a point of reference and stay away from the good ole boys--good riddance.
--Seems as if the "successful" deal with North Korea made by POTUS is no longer a deal and might even be dead on someone's doorstep.  But he is not called on it.  He tells the evangelicals that they have to vote for him otherwise the non believers will take over.  They ignore all his non Christian peccadilloes and move in lockstep with him.
--My correspondent on Lung Island (don't look that up) believes the NRA will support your right to carry 3D guns.  Betsy will probably add them to the list of weapons school districts should have on hand.  It's safer don't you know.
--We will eliminate $200 million in UN funding for aid to the Palestinians.  Netanyahu loves us even a he allows the Orthodox rabbis to more and more narrow the definition of who is a Jew.  As those rabbis might say, Lord help us.
--On 9/11, we loved Rudy.  Now he is a frothing at the mouth, wild man, defender of POTUS.  Hunter Thompson would have had a field day with him.
--Did you see the rally in Evansville?  The happy faces behind him?  The lock her up cheers?  The ugly scapegoating of the media?  Did ya?  Did ya?  I honestly do not remember anything so ugly in politics.
--Then today, to honor John McCain, did you see Obama's speech?  Did ya?  Did ya notice a difference between him and POTUS--I mean beside the fact that POTUS was not even invited?  It is so embarrassing. Those are the people who would not convict him if he murdered someone right in front of them--would just blame the media and their fake news.
--Had a great time in our rather tiny mountains this past month.  Bears, deer, wild turkeys, porcupines.  And no tv for the whole month.  Just luscious along with a very wonderful  announcement.
--I also lost an avid fan during the past month--RIP, Aliyah.
--For those who celebrate, have a happy and healthy New Year.  Be strong.

SPORTS TALK
--Its fall and you know what that means--it's time for Michigan football!!  Plus the Yankees are in deep doo doo.

Shalom