Twelve ordinary Americans

I am satisfied with the verdict in Mr. Trump's trial, and trust the jurors made the right decision; but no aspect of this sordid mess makes me happy or eases my fear of what he and his party will do our democracy if he is re-elected in November.

Where's my refund?

Politicians who want to keep the IRS underfunded in order to protect the hides of their wealthy donors should be punished by making them--those politicians--try to reach the IRS themselves to resolve an issue.

Election guidance

The 2024 Presidential Election's main candidates will apparently be two imperfect men. We will have to decide which of the two is less likely to let his imperfections control him and his decision-making, and then vote for that one.

On religious practice and public education

"Released time" from public schools for religious education is a divisive and unnecessary practice. Also, it is contrary to the Constitution for public school administrators and teachers to lead students in prayer or other religious practices on school premises and time.

Memorial Day

To honor those we remember on Memorial Day, I resolve (as Lincoln recommends) to "take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Not the peaceable, or the peace-loving, or the peaceful...

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." 

--Jesus, in Matthew 5:9

What sort of leader impresses you?

I am not impressed by dictators, even less by would-be ones. Inside, they are the smallest and saddest of human beings.

Ohio (the heart of it all) on life support

Is there any other state legislature as corrupt and compromised as is Ohio's, or more hostile to democracy itself? One shameful thing after another...

Billy Graham lied?

In its story about Billy Graham's statue being placed in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, the Associated Press noted that "Graham's body had lied in honor in the Capitol Rotunda after his death." I am disappointed to learn that he lied, even in honor.

Alternative facts, perhaps?

 

The data on the economy look pretty good until somebody tells you they don’t. 

Just say no to a USA "state church"

 

"Christian Nationalism"--if such a thing were possible--is not true to the teachings of Jesus Christ nor does it further the personal liberties of citizens of our nation.

National requirement

 "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Disorder in the court...

 

The people of our nation deserve a Supreme Court whose justices' simple integrity is beyond reasonable reproach, which is why Justices Alioto and Thomas should resign.

Stop doing that!

 

Speaking (as I did yesterday) about getting facts right: it really wasn't that hard to get the inflation rate in January of 2021 right, was it, President Biden? Former President Trump seems to do better with repeated misstatements, but you probably won't.

If we are no longer decent, perhaps we are getting our facts wrong...

Studs Terkel is reported to have said, "I've always felt, in all my books, that there's a deep decency in the American people and a native intelligence — providing they have the facts, providing they have the information."

The Donfather?

I think this is meant to be a positive promotion for Mr. Trump's candidacy, but I hang on to a small hope it's a joke.

Democracy: The start of it

"A democracy is a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections." (Merriam Webster on-line dictionary)

Lookin' hot on my bike

 

Who knows what might happen to you on a sunny, warm spring day?

I wasn’t looking for anything in particular to happen a few weeks ago when I hopped on my bike for the first time this year. At my age, bike riding is a season-by-season thing…any season can be my last. But at 81, I will go for it as long as I can.

I headed for my favorite neighborhood of streets on the far side of a complex of schools, noticing all the high schoolers out for late afternoon sports practices and games. One was a baseball game—Willoughby South vs. someone else. I marvel at kids who play sports because I did as few of them as possible in my school days, convinced that I was too awkward to be any good at any of them.

After reacquainting myself with my the familiar curving streets beyond the school, I rode back, convinced I was up to another season of riding. I eagerly anticipated going further afield—a park or trail perhaps—next time I was gifted with a sunny day and an otherwise empty calendar.

I peddled back through the school property. The baseball game had ended, and the visiting team was gathered near a curb, possibly waiting for a bus to take them home. I paid little attention to them.

But then, just as I rode by, a shout from somewhere in the mass of players: “You look hot on that bike!”

I cannot number the thoughts that fleeted through my head in the microsecond following that unexpected comment. What I did as I kept on peddling was to raise my left arm, and give the caller a thumbs up. Then I hoped he didn’t think I’d given him the finger.

I really meant the thumbs up. Okay, fella; you think I look hot on my bike. I ask no questions and take your comment for what it is.

But of course it wasn’t that simple.

Why in the world did he yell that at me? To impress his team mates with his sense of humor? To taunt me? To needle an old man riding a step-through (aka girls’) bike? Was it his ironic, indirect way of “coming out?”

Could he really have thought I looked hot on that bike?

Let me tell you, he was wrong, which he would have known if he’d had more than a passing glimpse of me. First of all, no stranger in all my decades has ever called me hot, at least not out loud, and it’s not likely to start now. Second, I didn’t look hot, because my skinny frame was clothed in baggy biking shorts and a nondescript t-shirt. (I sometimes wear what some might consider hotter bike garb, but not for that short ride. Even then, I am still a skinny old man pushing the age envelope.)

Or maybe it was the bike that attracted his verbal wolf whistle? One thing my bike is not is hot. It’s a very ordinary, grayish Jamis step-through which I bought a couple of years ago so I could keep riding. With my balance issues, swinging my leg back and over the saddle as a “man’s” bike requires had become too difficult a move.

Or…maybe there is something hot (as in, sexy) in a man riding a woman’s bike…

I have finally decided that all this over-thinking is not good for me. A young jock guy declared before his teammates that Dean Myers looked hot riding his bike. I am not threatened by it, as my first, thumbs-up reaction demonstrated. Whatever the reason, his unsolicited comment was a great boost to my ego on a beautiful spring afternoon. I will just keep on ridin’ that bike for endless summers to come.