Proper Loyalty

In the aftermath of AG Pam Bondi’s decision to not investigate the posting of classified information related to an imminent military attack using an unsecured platform, perhaps she might be reminded that her task is the administration and impartial application of the law and that her loyalty should properly be to the sacred principle of justice; not to the demands or dictates of any one president. 

Through the Glass Darkly

Donald Trump is a placeholder; he has no vision save his own self aggrandizement. He’s been the useful idiot for the cadre of oligarchs whose vision has always included the privatization of services heretofore the privy of accountable governmental agencies. Their playbook as reflected in Project 2025 is fully formed and it’s implementation is well underway; JD Vance merely awaits his turn at the throne with Elon Musk perfectly poised to continue his role as a modern day Rasputin. 

Cost Cutting for the Common Good

In response to the assertion that Elon Musk’s recent illegal and indiscriminate termination of vital services and government jobs is merely the altruistic efforts of a humanitarian seeking cost reduction for the benefit of the American people, allow me to respond accordingly…

Of course, the elimination of wasteful spending in government is a value with universal appeal but the wholesale slashing of jobs and services without regard for their deleterious consequences is dangerously irresponsible. There are an abundance of examples of long-standing cost overruns within the DOD for instance that need not not entail the firing of loyal and vital personnel; and which would result in more significant savings to the taxpayer. That said, the increased dispersalof vital services to the American people is already within the capacity of the wealthiest nation on the face of the Earth. I would suggest an increase and enforcement of the corporate tax rate on the top 1% (obviously not an original idea) together with a serious redistribution of public funds to allow an upgrade in the delivery of services across a wide range of agencies for purpose of raising all boats and establishing the fundamental principle of equity originally envisioned by those who have preceded us. This can be an important adjunct to the effort to reduce costs across the board and also underscores the value of promoting the common good.

Consistent with this vision is the notion that public and private sectors of the economy can coexist for benefit of all the people; not merely for a privileged few. Coexistence of two seemingly competing principles or elements of society need not be a matter of mutual exclusivity. All things are possible under the sun! 

One National Family

 The recent attempt by the DOD to delete from the National Archives Jackie Robinson’s web page as part of a larger purge of DEI related material (without coherent justification) revealed a profound misunderstanding and misapplication of the underlying concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The current administration conceives DEI as an imposition of a set of mandates the purpose of which is to elevate a wide range representatives (eg: POC, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, and the disabled) from the population at the expense of a presumptively more qualified group (eg: white men). The utter fallacy of this conception was vividly exposed when the eminently qualified Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General CQ Brown, and the Chief of Navel Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, were summarily dismissed by a DOD Secretary (whose own qualifications consisted of excellent camera presence, undying loyalty to the top executive, and the alleged ability to perform 100 sit ups in a single day) in deference to a misguided interpretation/understanding of DEI policy while replacing them with manifestly less qualified individuals. The zero sum notion implicit the current administration’s actions fails to understand that DEI is not a threat from without but rather an affirmation of a fundamental reality within American society; namely, that we have been, and are ever-more-so now, a multi-cultural nation represented by a diversity of people expressing a wide range of ethnicity, gender, identity awareness, physical conditions, history of national service, and individual talents to be celebrated and included into the fabric, consciousness, and character of the nation. It is clearly apparent that the Trump administration and its assembly of loyalists are keenly aware of the nation’s rapidly changing demographics and instead of welcoming this reality as the inevitable and positive expression of an open, pluralistic society, the current regime regards this social evolution as a threat to the white dominated culture of our often inglorious and diminishing past. Not unlike the extinction of the dinosaur, this iteration of a dying species of political mentality is causing considerable havoc in its final death throes. And die it must to eventually give way, as a result of its own depleted moral core and the vacuity of its corrosive hateful message, to the emergence of a people embodying the truly universal values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Let us demonstrate to the world that we are such a population.

Of The People

 Apparently it has taken the elevation of a fascist into the highest office in the land to finally recognize the wisdom and widespread appeal for the message Bernie Sanders has embodied for well over a decade. After an organized effort by the Democratic establishment to marginalize his truly populist agenda in 2016 and 2020, perhaps only now will we see real change in America and a robust challenging of corporate control of both time-honored political parties, which has sacrificed the middle and working class in deference to an oligarchical system of self-serving billionaires. What we’re witnessing across the country is an organic, grassroots uprising from the bottom up with the likes of Sanders leading from behind the people in active revolt.

A darkened Horizon

 Don’t look now but we’re one strategically manufactured false flag operation away from an official suspension of civil liberties through the implementation of indefinite martial law. It’s already in the playbook. Have a great day knowing that the trains will still run on time.

The Way Forward With Poetic Assistance

Responsible citizenship going forward will be characterized by organized, determined, thoughtful, and peaceful resistance to the conscious effort currently afoot to replace our democratic model of governance with a privatized, corporate-led authoritarian vision of America’s future. As the poet reminds us: ‘The lines have been drawn and the curse has been cast; the slow one now will later be fast as first one now will later be last; And the present now will later be past for the times [indeed, once again] are a changin’. To paraphrase further with mixed verse:…with clear-eyed vision, ‘watch with one last look the chimes of freedom flashing’; Listen closely for ‘the chance might not come again’ and ‘don’t speak too soon for wheel is still in spin and there’s no telling who that it’s naming’; Remember that ‘the rules of the road have been lodged and its’s it’s only people’s games that you got to dodge’. So its’s alright, America…’we can make it’!! 

Resistance To The Current Threat

 I am joined by many from across a broad political landscape in saying that what we are witnessing in these early days of the new administration is without a comparable precedent. It was recently suggested that the proper response to this sentiment would be to leave the country. On the contrary, the persistence of Trump’s unprecedented executive overreach is precisely the reason that we must stay and resist the illegal seizure of the agencies and institutions of our government. Reducing waste in government as a bipartisan concern is one thing; radically imposing private ownership in it’s stead is quite another. Nobody voted for Elon Musk to become the  CEO of the United States of America. Trump has always been nothing more than the frontman, a useful idiot if you will, for the  corporate overlords to whom he is beholding and from whom he receives is orders. Responsible citizenship going forward will be characterized by organized, thoughtful, and peaceful resistance to the conscious effort currently afoot to replace a democratic model of governance with a privatized, corporate-led authoritarian vision of America’s future.

Message Marked: Read Immediately

In the wake of Mike Johnson’s assertion that the citizens gathered around the country to protest the actions  of the Trump Administration had been paid to do so…

Memo to the Sycophantic Speaker of the Submissive House of Representatives: the American people do not  require payment as an incentive to protest the defilement of their country and government. 

Time

 Now and Then Again…

  Now, as I ponder Then

  I bring it into the Now 

  And fill it with memories

  Of Then

  Magically illuminating the Now

  As Then graciously accepts

  The invitation to live

   Once again.

The Consequence of a Poor Choice

It’s not exactly a shocker that widespread chaos would ensue when the incoherent guy at the end of the bar who refuses to shut up gets elevated to the highest office in the land!

The NFL Genuflects To Trump

Shame on the NFL and their feckless commissioner Roger Goodell for the decision to remove the End Racism sign in the back of the end zone for Sunday’s Super Bowl. This is in apparent reaction to Trump attending the game and fear of not offending the advocate-in-chief of white supremacy and anti-DEI initiatives. 

The NFL plans to replace the anti-racism sign with a Choose Love sign as if they were somehow mutually exclusive propositions. The new sign would have been a perfect compliment (not replacement) to the existing message of resistance to racism and racists everywhere. In the wake of this appalling decision, I implore the players to take a knee in defiance to the current administration, to the league where they work, and to the pernicious existence/resurgence of racism clearly evident here and throughout this troubled world. 

Enabler To A Coup

 Any praise for Mitch McConnell’s vote against Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense should be tempered by the fact that, as the Republican leader in the Senate, he had the power to whip the necessary votes to secure a guilty verdict in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, which would have disqualified DJT from ever running for office again. Had McConnell displayed courage at that crucial moment, the current nightmare of a second Trump Administration could have been avoided. His historic inaction will live in infamy.

The Lawlessness of the Land

 As the pathetically sycophantic Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, vaguely declared that the inauguration of DJT has ushered in a new Golden Age, we might need to amend the statement in light of very recent events. Trump’s blanket pardon of 1500 J6 insurrectionist rioters who stormed the nation’s Capitol and violently attacked police personnel in an attempt to overturn the ratification of the 2020 presidential election and who were subsequently convicted by multiple juries of their peers has introduced a new Golden Age of Lawlessness wherein convicted criminals, not unlike the newly minted President, can now be given effective  immunity for past, present, and future transgressions. So emboldened, these individuals and the private militias that stand ready to follow in their wake have been sent the unequivocal message that fealty to an autocratic leader is preferable/desirable to the observance of law. God help us as we enter into the ensuing darkness portended by Trump’s imperious edicts.

Embracing Dylan’s Mystique

I must confess from the outset that, being a card-carrying Dylan snob, I was thoroughly predisposed to not like A Complete Unknown. I was also happy to be disabused of this notion as the film artfully managed to avoid the mistake of solving the enigma that is Bob Dylan; but rather chose to embrace the complexity of this profound artist by exploring his early years in and around the Greenwich Village folk scene and present an believable representation of the artist as a young man.

This was made possible by suburb direction by James Mangold and a believable script written by Mangold and Jay Cocks (based on the book by Elijah Wald) after serious consultation with Dylan himself who provided numerous additions to the narrative. The result was an well-paced narrative that remained true to the life and particular time of a this great American artist. 

The individual portrayals of the principle characters were also essential to the movie’s success as Timothee Chalamet’s representation of Dylan was rendered with meticulous attention to the spirit of the artist without trying to imitate him. Make no mistake, Chalamet did capture Dylan’s mannerisms, including a faithful rendering of his voice, but did so by avoiding a simple mimic of Dylan’s sound. Edward Norton’s portrayal of folk legend Pete Seeger was equally impressive as he managed to fully embody the character in such a way as to express Seeger’s essential goodness, devotion to his music, and his utter sincerity. As the English might say: Norton’s performance was ‘different gravy’! Other cast members’ performances were also notable: Elle Fanning as Dylan’s Greenwich Village girlfriend (Suze Rotolo) was especially moving, Monica Barbaro was convincing as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as a slightly unhinged Johnny Cash, Dan Folger as Dylan’s loyal manager with a perpetual eye on the bottom line, and Will Harrison as Dylan’s faithful friend (Bobby Neuwirth) all made excellent and believable contributions to the telling of this story. Last but certainly not least was the remarkable Scoot McNairy who portrayed a dying Woody Guthrie with a stunning nonverbal performance.

As a consequence of his magnificent musical and lyrical brilliance, Bob Dylan has been a vital part of my life, from the early 60’s when my cousin first introduced me to this slightly unkept singer from the West Village, through various stages of life wherein he was a constant companion while assisting me to negotiate various sections of troubled waters on a sometimes difficult journey. Perhaps more importantly, it is Dylan’s persistent dedication to artistic integrity and his unfailing observation of truthful expression that has represented a reliable template for a life lived with independence and authenticity. A Complete Unknown gave us a clear-eyed glimpse into the early life of one of greatest artists of our time and opportunity to expose a whole new generation of young people to his unique gifts. 

Contrasting Legacies

It is with cruel irony that we celebrate MLK Day concurrent with the advent of another four years that promises to expand authoritarian rule under a Trump presidency. 

In a speech delivered at Stanford University a year before his assassination, Dr. King issued a warning to the nation to be on guard against the three evils of racism, poverty, and militarism working in concert to impede fulfillment of a vision of America wherein the values of being an agent of peace throughout the world, a society in which equality and human dignity are held as sacred, achievable ideals worthy of our collective attention, and the elimination of debilitating poverty, which has prevented the lifting of all boats to a place of economic security heretofore  reserved only for a privileged few. 

MLK’s vision stands in sharp contrast to the promise afforded by the incoming administration, which exalts an historic wealth inequality with a pledge to widen the gap by further decreasing the tax burden of the ultra rich, many of whom will occupy key positions within the new government; seeks to promote and approve the renewal of the defense industry’s contracts that will perpetuate a world-wide imperial network the existence of which requires perpetual military presence and likely violent intervention on behalf of a corporate empire beholding to its economic interests with scant regard for the human toll such an enterprise has always entailed; and actively supports and encourages the most base instincts among the population to revive and promote long-standing racist sentiments and white supremacy, festering just beneath the surface for countless generations only to be reawakened and cynically exploited by a demagogue dedicated to use whatever means necessary to further his narrow self-interest while remaining woefully indifferent to the real needs of ordinary citizens many of whom have ironically supported his candidacy. 

While Matin Luther King would be saddened by this turn of events, it is

also a certainty that he would now implore his fellow brothers and sisters to be vigilant in the pursuit of an American dream consistent with his vision of a society bound together by mutual respect, non-violence, economic justice, a desire to preserve Mother Earth, and a deep regard for our common humanity. Would that we honor his memory by making such a thing manifest in this world.