A Lesson in Perspective

During a recovery run at Ocean Beach yesterday I stopped to say hi to Albert whom I often see walking on the same path that extends from the base of the Cliff House Hill to the SF Zoo. Albert, who is originally from Tibet, is one of those souls embodying peace and good cheer so he was quick to inquire about my well being, asking how long I was running that day and how I was feeling. I answered by giving him a detailed description of my latest race where I had experienced a hamstring injury from which I was attempting to recover. After this lengthy recitation, it was finally my turn to ask him how he was doing. With a beaming smile, he said that he was feeling much better now that he recently had completed the final chemotherapy session in a long series of treatments. He then happily exposed a six to eight inch scar just below his clavicle to illustrate the site of the affected area, saying: 'much better now'. We then clasped hands, wished each other well, and I said that I would keep a good thought for him. He responded with thanks and a smile of gratitude. As we parted ways, it was I who was grateful to this courageous and gentle survivor for providing valuable perspective on the range of life experiences our fellow travelers experience and endure. So the next time I begin to complain about this or that annoyance, perhaps a better choice will be to think about Albert and be properly thankful for the gifts and blessings already in my possession.

A Real National Emergency

If The Current Occupant was serious about addressing a real national emergency, he would be well advised to turn his attention to the ongoing environmental crisis brought about by increasing global warming and the accompanying climate disruption experienced throughout the world. Instead, he continues to be oblivious to and ignorant of the distinction between human induced climate change and the weather at any given moment. As a result, we need not look any farther than the White House to properly locate the source of our most dire threat to national security.

Combating the Crisis

It's more than a bit curious if not downright dubious (okay, call it specious) that our president will spend the first few days of our 'national emergency' playing golf in his Florida resort.

The Turning of the Tide

It is a testament to the effect progressive influence has had on the current Democratic Party to hear longtime establishment apologist and regular MSNBC commentator Lawerence O'Donnell sing the praises of the contribution American socialist have made to the quality of life in this country. In response to the latest vilification of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, O'Donnell reminded his viewers that the eight hour work day along with the 40 hour work week were products of the efforts of thousands of early American socialists (Eugene Debs being a notable 20th century example although not specifically mentioned by O'Donnell). He went on to make note of the formation and popularity of such socialist programs as Social Security and Medicare and the specific contribution of FDR's Secretary of Labor, Francis Perkins, in the enactment of the former while noting the historical roots of the latter.

O'Donnell's declarations represent an abrupt change of attitude from at least this sector of the Democratic mainstream. It was only a few short months ago that O'Donnell was attempting to minimalize AOC's historic defeat of 20 year incumbent and party kingpin, Joseph Crowley, and, in so doing, hope to marginalize her accomplishment. In the ensuing months, O'Donnell has apparently come to realize the very real depth of appeal that current socialist ideas and programs enjoy among an ever growing majority of Americans. As alluded to by O'Donnell, socialism, its ideas and benefits, have been an essential part of the American societal fabric throughout much of our history although not always identified by name. We might add to this list the very publicly financed and proudly American institutions of the National Park Service; the vast and largely well functioning system of highways, roads, and bridges; the much lauded and often revered US military; our police and fire service; a network of public libraries; a public educational system at once filled with promise and in need of even greater attention and the promise of the restoration of fully finance higher education to compete on the world stage with other industrialized nations of the world. In the light of these existing socialistic realities, the introduction of the Green New Deal as proposed by Bernie Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez and scores of other members of Congress appear not as outlying concepts but rather ideas consistent with ongoing and successful programs with which we are all well accustomed and familiar. These ideas echo a rich and vibrant heritage forged throughout our history by the efforts, sacrifices, and vision of the likes of Mr. Debs, Samuel Gompers, social activist Dorothy Day, the great Paul Robson, our would-be Vice President Henry Wallace, and the legendary vision of Martin Luther King. They and thousands of other American socialist forefathers must look upon the current iteration of those who strive for the full and authentic expression of democracy with pride and hope for the fulfillment of a dream once conceived and still yet to be fully realized.

Of course, there exists now, as then, a formidable opposition to this movement...a very well organized and financed effort to maintain the status quo of wealth disparity and the preservation of a system that protects the 1% of elites...American oligarchs dedicated not to the common good but rather to the perpetuation and continuance of their narrow, myopic, and destructive vision based upon greed and self aggrandizement. They are currently represented by the familiar Koch Brothers, the Waltons, Robert Mercer, and Leo Leonard and the Federalist Society just to cite a few notable examples. They will do their best to demonize the harbingers of change in the upcoming election cycle now already upon us with vile insult, misinformation, and outright defamation in an attempt preserve a hold on an unjust system increasingly viewed with disfavor. When mainstream representatives like Lawrence O'Donnell begin to accept the need for real change and link this need with reference to the heritage of past struggle and the existence of ongoing successful programs that benefit the many, we may look forward to a future where a consensus will be achieved to turn the tide and enjoy a day when, in the words of Mr. Dylan, 'the sun will respect every face on the deck; the hour when the ship comes in!' The ship is indeed on the horizon.

It's a Both/And Proposition

In response to the need to identify the most authentic progressive candidate for 2020, I'm in agreement with the the assertion that policy and ideology matter and that the continuation of the neo-liberal model as represented by the recent Democratic establishment needs to be replaced by a genuine progressive who better embodies the principles and vision inherent in a new and emerging base. That said, it is also true that electability matters and we must be mindful to balance our need to effect real change with a deep understanding of the political landscape in which we both operate and hope to transform.

Socialists Love Baseball Too!

Note to all Progressives: in spite of the heavy-handed capitalist marketing, the excessive allusions to and promotions of militarism implicit in American sports (please read Howard Bryant's The Heritage), the billionaire franchise owners, and the excessive salaries paid to a selected few...it's still okay to support your favorite teams and the individual athletes who populate them. It's not a mutually exclusive proposition to embrace Bernie Sanders while idolizing Sandy Koufax; hold Marx and Montana in high esteem; extol the virtues of Paul Robson and the Raiders; and sing the praises of George Bernard Shaw as you marvel at the exploits Georgie Best!! Remember: a well functioning team embodies the principles of collective effort and egalitarian regard for its constituent members while pursuing a common goal!