Unconditional surrender

2023 edition

I learn from the comments I receive on prior columns. One of you eagle-eyed readers suggested we do apparently have some U.S. forces supporting Syrian anti-Assad groups on the periphery of that nation. That probably squares the circle I heard yesterday: it was not basing in a traditional manner but co-mingling of forces to achieve the goal of ousting Assad. This reader didn’t have any better fidelity than what he had heard a while back.

The horizon below probably looks to most as the same sunrise shot I post frequently. The magic is that I did witness it when thousands of others did not reach the final morning of this week. I can’t find a sufficient adjective to modify week because of the emotions it hath wrought.

The lingering colour signifies hope as does the major birthday we are celebrating in our family.

But it’s been a draining week. All indications show that next week will be at least as bad, if not worse.

I rarely read fiction since we appear unable to break free of it in our national psyche. I do, however, devour the work of Lawrence Wright who roped me in with The Looming Tower years back. If you haven’t read it, do so immediately. Talk about a forensic study on how we got to that horrible morning of 9/11. I heard him speak about the book at a DC think tank. He came across as a rare entity in Washington: someone who seemed to not only listen but to hear what he is listening to so I read whatever he writes.

Mr. Texas allows Wright to remind us of the hypocrisy utilised so often for nothing but personal power. This volume is in the same vein as the late Mollie Ivins’ wickedly delicious tales of Texas. It’s a quick read, it raises a bunch of current policy conundra and it’s Lawrence Wright.

And it’s too close to what the ridiculous shenanigans we are paying adults to engage in as lawmakers in Washington. You know the events so I am not going to wear anyone out by recounting them.

But far too much of it smacks of hypocrisy. The hypocrisy of blaming the other side, too often ‘dehumanised’ as if they were space aliens. Too much ‘performative politics’ on single point issues plagues us as if disagreement on those points merits a complete and utter repudiation any sort of cooperation to govern. Obviously the Republican Caucus would rather rip itself apart rather than allow a Speaker of the House—doesn’t say Republican or Democratic House but THE House of Representatives—work in any manner with the opposition. The public picks up what the elected officials do, then the elected officials say the public desires the ridiculous actions, and so it goes.

Everything has become U.S. Grant’s demand of ‘unconditional surrender’ at Fort Donelson in February 1862. That is not governing nor do they apparently have any interest in such unless it involves the narrowest of special interest issues such as protecting the former president from equal justice under the law, anti-China actions, and finding reasons to impeach Joe Biden. The country, especially Republican-leaning portions, actually have many other concerns. For one, that budget disaster on the horizon affects Red voters on that long list of things we discussed merely a fortnight ago during the last budget crisis that created this moment when the erstwhile Speaker deigned to work across the political aisle.

While I think the House is manifesting worse behaviour, the Senate is not clean as a whistle with one of its members indicted on the charge of operating as a foreign agent. As the junior Pennsylvania senator noted last night, we can’t tolerate foreign agents as Senators in the United States. Of course the accused Senator is entitled to a trial by a jury of his peers where he could be acquitted or found guilty of the charges. The U.S. Justice Department doesn’t, however, randomly build a case out of thin air when individuals in government are the targets. We hear that laughable argument regularly these days but it’s simply malarkey. Justice builds cases based on evidence of acts.

Mr. Texas ultimately ends but our national nightmare continues. I weary of it but the political nihilism only continues.

Perhaps Lawrence Wright’s next book title?

Does this motivate you to think differently about 2024’s vote? I would be most interested in hearing from you.

I wish you a restful weekend. Thank you for reading Actions Create Consequences. I appreciate the time you are giving these columns and hope you will share those. you find relevant with others. My deepest thanks is for those who subscribe as your support means so much.

As I put the final touches on this, I saw a beauty awaiting the 3.30 Compromise Street Drawbridge Opening. These shots offer much solace of late. What do you turn to?

Be well and be safe. FIN