 |
| Macbeth and the Witches (1770: Metropolitan Museum of Art) |
I try not to traffic in the obvious — always pausing to suppress the urge to add a final k to that word and make it "traffick," which to me would give it more of an archaic, Salem witchcraft deal with the devil vibe. But it's not a modern word, and I usually decide against it.
So there was no point to draw attention to developments that are already clear, like the grotesque criminality and self-dealing of Donald Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund. More of the same, on a larger scale. Besides, everyone else already has decried this leap into large-scale naked corruption, and there is no need to join in chorus.
Yes, I was tempted to point out that while Republicans objecting to this enormous shit upon the rule of law, rather than emitting the usual "baa" and shuffling in whatever direction Trump points, might be considered a mildly hopeful sign, if you're feeling upbeat, the GOP has in the past occasionally put up feeble resistance to other departures from ethics, law, reason, sense, tradition, decency, etc., only to eventually revert to form and get back on their knees. Don't have the we've-come-to-our-senses party quite yet.
So there was no point to draw attention to developments that are already clear, like the grotesque criminality and self-dealing of Donald Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund. More of the same, on a larger scale. Besides, everyone else already has decried this leap into large-scale naked corruption, and there is no need to join in chorus.
Yes, I was tempted to point out that while Republicans objecting to this enormous shit upon the rule of law, rather than emitting the usual "baa" and shuffling in whatever direction Trump points, might be considered a mildly hopeful sign, if you're feeling upbeat, the GOP has in the past occasionally put up feeble resistance to other departures from ethics, law, reason, sense, tradition, decency, etc., only to eventually revert to form and get back on their knees. Don't have the we've-come-to-our-senses party quite yet.
However, when I read Monday that the president, in his continual thrashing trying to extricate himself from the tar pit of a war with Iran that he swan dove our country into, alone, was now suggesting that Iran, and other Middle East nations — Saudi Arabia, Qatar — consider joining the Abraham Accords, and recognize the state of Israel, I did have a thought that might merit sharing:
Maybe, while he's at it, he could also entice a few American universities to join in recognizing Israel as a legitimate nation, despite its doing bad things, like every other nation, and existing on land somebody else wants, like every other nation. Now that would be an accomplishment.
Maybe, while he's at it, he could also entice a few American universities to join in recognizing Israel as a legitimate nation, despite its doing bad things, like every other nation, and existing on land somebody else wants, like every other nation. Now that would be an accomplishment.
Traffick + ing ..."trafficking"...the act of buying or selling goods illegally.
ReplyDeleteStill a much-used word. Now more than ever, it seems:
* Drug trafficking [My cousin did time for drug trafficking.]
* Arms trafficking [The gangs specialized in arms trafficking]
* Trafficking in [He was charged with trafficking in stolen property.]
* Human trafficking: [The act of buying or selling people, or of making money from work they are forced to do, such as sex work.]
Traffic--without the K--was the English rock band whose 1971 LP--"The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys"--was hugely popular in the earliest days of FM rock radio.
Love that song! Winwood is coming to Tinley Park with Fogerty in September.
DeleteSame here. Brings back so many memories of '71. Blasting that song in my studio apartment in East Rogers Park. The neighbor (with the noisy bird) who was hitting on me. Working at Cermak and State (auto parts warehouse) and finding a joint on the "L" seat one morning (it was consumed by lunchtime). Living in Colorado (Boulder) that summer and fall. But that's another story. Told it four years ago.
Deletenumbness, I would assume, is something we have used to our advantage for millennia as we lowly evolved into the odd animals we are today.
ReplyDeleteOur ability to ignore consistent pain allows us to bare children, protect our weakest, and push our bodies to the limit.
It also allows us to build up tolerances against gnats in what ever form they may take.
These days, those gnats are the tearing down of the norms, rules, and laws. the more the center and right continue to allow these atrocities, the less they seem to matter to us. what was originally a stab to the gut now feels only like a mosquito in august.
we are numb because we need to be to survive.
our numbness may very well be the end of our republic.
Double D- I respect that you stand by your words. I sometimes disagree with comments posted here, but always appreciate when people 'own' what they say. Thank you for your willingness to put yourself out there. If you (or someone else) make the effort to post as an identifiable contributor, I'll make the effort to read it.
DeleteThank you, Jill.
DeleteI try. Though I often feel as though I fail miserably
Sometimes it's OK not to comment.
ReplyDeleteSome find it difficult to follow this good advice:
DeleteOne of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.
I feel like you might enjoy this Simpsons clip, Anonymous.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVddGSTjEd0
I know there's a lot of anti-Israel sentiment on many campuses, but I didn't know that some American universities have refused to recognize Israel as a legitimate nation. Which ones have refused?
ReplyDeleteI was wondering that too.
DeleteOur homeboy, Pope Leo XIV, has just gotten around to apologizing for the Catholic Church's complicity in the long ago bad behavior of Catholic countries affecting huge percentages of indigenous peoples all over the Earth. Which goes to show President Trump that not all Popes have been "weak on public policy" as well as that it's never too late to apologize as long as there's nobody of importance requiring that ill-gotten gains be returned. It also highlights the complete lack of moral standards in countries avowing a devotion to religious beliefs. What was good for European Christian nations 3 or 4 hundred years ago at the expense of indigenous peoples was approved at the highest levels and hardly got a second glance until now. What is good for the State of Israel and possession of the "promised land" seems to be the sole goals of those making decisions for Israel, no different from the standards of yesterday. Yet, not all Jews (maybe even less than half) agree with Netanyahu's aims and standards. I wonder who will be apologizing in 2300 CE.
ReplyDeletetate
What, you actually expect humans to still be around in 274 years?
DeleteI expect we will have blown ourselves up by then & left the Earth to the cockroaches!