A View Askew Post With AI . . .

 

  . . . Actual Intelligence?

Much to my chagrin, a while ago my oldest daughter suggested that I give ChatGPT (AI) a try. After my damaged ego recovered, I decided to give it a whirl.

It's very simple. You put in what you are thinking about or want to write about and within seconds it produces a paper that covers your ideas with facts and info that it has quickly researched. (No wonder it's so popular with college kids.)

For this test I thought I'd use a theory that I've been kicking around for a while; here’s the gist of what I put in:

In a nutshell, my theory is that over the past roughly 40 years, as we watched the middle class get whittled down, prices on most everything have been set more and more by those of us in upper income levels maybe the top 20% - okay, the bottom half of the top 20% - and some help from misguided from government policies. The result is the price of houses, cars, rent, education, restaurants – really most things that everybody needs - have gone "upscale" much faster than "middle class" incomes have.

For most of my life there were plenty of jobs, from crappy parttime ones for teenagers and college kids to decent paying factory jobs. Obviously, there were people who made more money, had nicer homes and cars and clothes but essentially most families had a place to live, clean clothes, food to eat - and a TV! It wasn't nirvana but people seemed to get along – with the understanding that they COULD get ahead with hard work and effort. You know, so-called "meritocracy." 

1980 Median priced home - $50,000    Median family income - $26,000

Disclaimer: This from a kid from in a distinctly "working class" white family in a small, all-white midwestern town (and I never lived in a house like this.)

2023 median priced home - $350,000  Median in come - $74,380

                                     Let's see: 1980 2Xfamily  income

                   2023 4.7X income - Hmmm 

More and more jobs are service industry - or stupid gig jobs - with relatively low pay and benefits, putting many of those important things out of reach for a lot of our hard working fellow Americans. At the same time, those of us that are financially comfortable have become used to taking our pricing power for granted. Is that starting to change?

1980's beer - 3+ bucks/6 pack (Real man's beer)

Today's Beer - 10 bucks/BEER!
(Yeah I know better beer - blah blah blah)

Demographics, climate change and societal upheaval seem to be forcing changes in the economy and causing all kinds to cost pressures. From fast food wages to lawn care to property taxes and homeowner insurance, it’s starting to bite for all of us.

It seems a lot of chickens are coming home to roost. Things that we have neglected for many years like highways, sewer and water lines, bridges, powerlines, airports – need trillions of dollars for updating. (And I haven’t even mentioned the trillion/year federal deficit we've been running for years or the $35 trillion in debt, most of which has kept the economy afloat.) 

What think thee, Chat GPT?

So I put this into the magic machine and here is what Chat spit out in about 15 seconds.

(BTW you don't need to read every word to be impressed with it.)

Economic Shifts and Class Mobility: You’re highlighting a shift from a more stable economic environment where many people felt they had a fair shot at success to a situation where it seems harder to achieve and maintain that stability. This shift has been particularly pronounced over the last few decades. The middle class, once a pillar of American prosperity, has indeed been shrinking, and the disparity between the wealthy and everyone else has widened. Many factors contribute to this, including globalization, technological advances, and policy decisions.

Job Market Changes: The shift from manufacturing and industrial jobs to service-oriented and gig economy roles has created a scenario where many jobs pay less and offer fewer benefits. This shift has affected economic security for many working-class and middle-class families. Jobs that once provided a solid middle-class income and benefits have become scarcer or have been replaced by lower-paying service roles.

Price Inflation and Economic Access: As you've pointed out, prices for housing, education, healthcare, and other essentials have increased significantly, often outpacing wage growth. This has made it harder for many Americans to access these basic needs. The middle class’s diminishing purchasing power is a key factor here, as more wealth has concentrated at the top, allowing those with the most money to set higher prices.

Job Market Changes: The shift from manufacturing and industrial jobs to service-oriented and gig economy roles has created a scenario where many jobs pay less and offer fewer benefits. This shift has affected economic security for many working-class and middle-class families. Jobs that once provided a solid middle-class income and benefits have become scarcer or have been replaced by lower-paying service roles.

Meritocracy and Economic Realities: The idea of meritocracy—that hard work and talent should lead to success—has been increasingly challenged by the reality of economic disparities. While it remains a powerful motivator, the system often doesn't account for the structural barriers and unequal starting points many face.

Changing Economic Pressures: You're right that increasing costs are beginning to affect even those who have been relatively insulated from financial strain. As you mention, demographic changes, climate change, and other societal shifts are driving up costs and creating new economic pressures. This can lead to a broader realization of economic vulnerability among people who previously felt secure.

In summary, your reflections touch on a broader reality: the economic environment has indeed changed in ways that make it harder for many to maintain the same standard of living or upward mobility that previous generations experienced. This change is driven by a complex mix of factors, including economic policies, global trends, and structural changes in the job market and pricing dynamics. The sense of security and stability that once characterized American life is evolving, and it's important to recognize and address these shifts to better understand and navigate the current economic landscape.

Ah, its okay I guess. It's very academic language isn't as much fun but you can't argue with its precision and good grammar. (Now to play around and see how LITTLE I need to put in to get decent results)

I guess we should ask if it supports my theory. 

The answer is maybe but I'm not so sure. Perhaps this has always been the way it works except now the gap between the classes is so much bigger. Or maybe there's more people in the lower income brackets so it's more glaring. I don't know but something is screwed up. 

The more important question might be: can those folks move up without us moving down? (No answer from ChatGPT on that.) I guess we'll find out. Anyway that's my - and Chat's - theory. (You can get your own.) 

If you're interested it's free, give it a try.

PS 

I hope you don't like Chat more than me. (If so you're out of luck.)

(72 Days until the election)

For the Love of Money    The O'Jays

Money     Pink Floyd

The Lament for August

One of the Saddest Months? 

That's me in the blue shirt 

First a big thank you! My last post regarding the Constitution had among the most readers of any one in my many years of posting. There must have been some serious sharing and I greatly appreciate it.

And now for something completely different . . .

What is that I smell in the August air? Could it be Pronto Pups and cheese curds? Yes, the State Fair must be just around the corner! (And with it the first hint of winter?) Sorry, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there’s enough time to lament the cold scourge coming for us Minnesotan's. First, let’s talk about one of my least favorite months of the year (and coincidentally the second consecutive one named after a Roman emperor.)

Why is that you may ask (but probably shouldn’t?) Well, let me tell you how summer goes. 

First is lovely May; nice weather and no bugs. Then June, the first real month of summer. The weather is (usually) very pleasant, flowers in full bloom and the smell of newly cut green grass. Then July comes along and we really crank up the activities outside, 4th of July, the weather is nice and warm - the heart of summer with everybody smiling. Then, slowly the calendar turns and step by step . . .

We start to get tired of hot, muggy weather. As the month wears on, mowing the grass becomes more and more of a pain in the arse. We are picnicked out, kids are bored, lakes turn yucky - and we start to look forward to the cool breezes of September. (While trying to forget the first hint of colored leaves.)

Then, of course, summer is over and it's winter solstice here we come.

In an effort to generate some sympathy and love for August, let us look at some interesting factoids about this desultory month - with helpful comments by moi.

August 1, 1944 - Anne Frank penned her last entry into her diary. Three days later, Anne and her family were arrested and sent to Nazi concentration camps. Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on March 15, 1945, at age 15. There are some people who feel that the book, “Anne Frank’s Diary,” should be banned. (Too depressing? To explicit? Only in America.) Those people should be banned!  If you go to Amsterdam the Anne Frank House is a must see.

Anne Frank House - Eight people hid on the top floors of the annex indoors for two freaking years before being ratted out and killed.

Birthday - Star-Spangled Banner author Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) was born in Frederick County, Maryland. Some years later he wrote the poem originally entitled Defense of Fort McHenry which became the U.S. National Anthem in 1931. Little did he know that The Star Spangled Banner would turn into a song so stinking difficult to sing that it would embarrass many great singers at the start of countless football games (and apparently some drunk ones too.)

Birthday - Moby Dick author Herman Melville (1819-1891) was born in New York. I guess they had a whale of party for little Herman! (I'm sorry, that's uncalled for and I don't have a leg to stand on for an excuse.) 

August 2, 1776 - In Philadelphia, most of the 55 members of the Continental Congress signed the parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence. Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute - MOST signed? Also, we've been shooting off fireworks a month too early?!

August 2, 1939 - Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt concerning the possibility of atomic weapons. "A single bomb of this type carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory." Einstein, known for understatement, just said: E=mc squared 

Most of us would say, Holy $#@t, it's a REALLY big bomb!

August 3, 1492 - Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three ships, Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Seeking a westerly route to the Far East, he instead landed on October 12th in the Bahamas, thinking it was an outlying Japanese island. The folks in the Bahamas REALLY wished he had landed in Japan.

Birthday - Gray Panthers founder Maggie Kuhn (1905-1995) was born in Buffalo, New York. After she was forced into mandatory retirement at age 65, she founded the Gray Panthers organization to fight age discrimination and succeeded in the banning of mandatory retirement in most professions. Sadly, this was taken to heart by countless American politicians.

August 4

Birthday - Barack Obama the 44th U.S. President was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1961. Yeah, right, like he’s really an American citizen.

(19 years later, Dear Leader's daughter no. 2 is born and a real citizen she is! Happy Birthday, MKP!)

 

"Don’t tax you. Don’t tax me. Tax the guy behind the tree."        LA Sen. Russell Long

August 5, 1861 - President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the first Federal income tax, a 3 percent tax on incomes over $800 Thus began whining by millionaires about taxation without owning representatives.

August 5, 2011 - Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency downgraded the United States debt from its highest rating of AAA to a lesser AA+ rating, marking the first-ever decline of credit worthiness for the U.S. The agency cited America’s $14 trillion in outstanding debt and ineffective political leadership regarding debt reduction. Ha ha ha, we laugh at $14 trillion today. Our political leadership is so much better - now it's $35 trillion!

August 6, 1965 - The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act suspended literacy, knowledge and character tests designed to keep African Americans from voting in the South. Almost 60 years later, a Supreme Court ruling said this act was no longer necessary in southern states. Trust them, they also fixed Roe V Wade and Presidential immunity.

Birthday - Penicillin discoverer Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) was born in Lochfield, Scotland. Many GIs later heaved a great sigh of relief.

August 7, 1964 - Following an attack on two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, the U.S. Congress approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting President Lyndon B. Johnson authority "to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States. The beginning of 1st "police action" and destination in a land far, far away in Dear Leader's military career. (Not to mention costing over 58,000 American lives.)

August 7, 1990 - Just five days after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, President George H. W. Bush ordered Desert Shield, a massive military buildup to prevent further Iraqi advances. 3rd – and final - Dear Leader police action. How about that for symmetry?! (2nd police action occurred in Panama in January of same year, so a twofer.)

      "Do you think this hat makes me look silly?"              "Of course not, dear" (Good answer!)

Birthday - International spy Mata Hari (1876-1917) was born (as Margaret Gertrude Zelle) in Leewarden, Netherlands. Arrested by the French in 1917 as a German spy, she was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. At her execution, she refused a blindfold and instead threw a kiss to the French firing squad. Sacr'e bleu, now zat is hutzpah!

August 8, 1945 - Soviet Russia declared war on Japan and sent troops into Japanese-held Manchuria. Very brave of them – right after the second atom bomb.

August 9, 1974 - Effective at noon, Richard M. Nixon resigned the presidency as a result of the Watergate scandal. Facing possible impeachment by Congress, he became the only U.S. President ever to resign. Today he might be slapped on the back by his party and encouraged to stay on.

August 11, 1841 - Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, spoke before an audience in the North for the first time. During an anti-slavery convention on Nantucket Island, he gave a powerful, emotional account of his life as a slave. He was immediately asked to become a full-time lecturer for the Massachusetts Antislavery Society. For some reason he did not give any speeches south of New York.

Grace Kelly

Eva Marie Saint

                    









                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                               

Tippi Hedren

 

Janet Leigh

Birthday - British film director Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) was born in London. His suspenseful films included classics such as The 39 Steps, Rebecca, Suspicion, Notorious, Rear Window, The Birds, Psycho and Frenzy, in addition to his American TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Just four of many - apparently old Al really preferred blonds. 

August 14, 1935 - President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act establishing the system which guarantees pensions to those who retire at age 65. Of course people died long before that back then - and some Republicans still think it’s a stupid idea.

Just imagine, many of these folks are sitting in a nursing home today trying to revisit this

August 15, 1969 - Woodstock began in a field near Yasgur's Farm at Bethel, New York. The three-day concert featured 24 rock bands and drew a crowd of more than 300,000 young people. Apparently, all were properly dressed, well behaved, and just enjoyed the music. Okay, with an occasional beer. And a joint. Naked. In the mud. 

August 16, 1977 - Elvis Presley was pronounced dead at the Memphis Baptist Hospital at 3:30 p.m., at age 42. A shame, his life went right down the toilet. (Again, sorry, I was just so flush with excitement to share.) 

August 17, 1998- Bill Clinton became the first sitting President to give testimony and then appeared on national television and gave a speech admitting he had engaged in an improper relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Then impeached, how quaint (and certainly the equal of trying to overturn an election, right?) 

Geez, I knew we shouldn't have ordered Mexican

Birthday - American frontiersman Davy Crockett (1786-1836) was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee. He perished at age 49 during the final heroic defense of the Alamo in Texas. He is said to have yelled out, “Man oh man, why did I remember the Alamo?!"

August 18, 1920 - The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote. The vote was very close. 89 Representatives and 25 Senators voted against it. Allegedly "Lysistrata" soon became a household word in 114 households. (I knew World Lit 101 would come in handy some day.)

BTW only REAL American women won the right to vote – white women.

August 19, 1934 - In Germany, a plebiscite was held in which 89.9 percent of German voters approved granting Chancellor Adolf Hitler additional powers, including the office of president. Gee, that sounds like a great idea – let’s do that here! Oh, that's right, SCOTUS is already trying.

Birthday - Bill Clinton, the 42nd U.S. President was born in Hope, Arkansas, August 19, 1946. He was the first President elected who was not alive during World War II. The first in a long line of “great” babyboomer presidents. As noted, he was also the first president (to be caught) doing something naughty in the White House.

August 21, 1959 - President Dwight D, Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii to the Union as the 50th state. Whew, lucky for Obama!

August 24, 1572 - Thousands of Protestant Huguenots were massacred in Paris and throughout France by Catholics, in what became known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Obviously, those Huguenots made a big mistake; they were the wrong kind of Christian i.e. Protestants.

Birthday - American conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Considered one of the finest conductors in American music history. 

     Lizzy, I've just met a girl named Lizzy . . . 

Say it loud and it's a crowd cheering, 

Say it soft and it's a putt I am fearing 

(Yes, everything comes back to golf.)

Birthday - American inventor Lee De Forest (1873-1961) was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He held hundreds of patents for inventions and was also a pioneer in the creation of wireless radio broadcasting and television. Iowa - always with the troublemakers.In a way you can blame him for the Kardashians, Big Brother, The Bachelor, and other reality shows

Birthday - Mother Teresa (1910-1997) was born (as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu) in Skopje, Yugoslavia. She founded a religious order of nuns in Calcutta, India, called the Missionaries of Charity and spent her life working to help the poor and sick of India. Despite all the good things she was responsible for, apparently she was personally one of the worst people in the world. Isn't life strange?

August 28, 1963 - The March on Washington occurred as over 250,000 attended a Civil Rights rally in Washington, D.C., at which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his now-famous I Have a Dream speech. Almost matched on Jan 6, 2021 when thousands of proud patriots were encouraged to go visit the Capital and see if they could hang the Vice President.

Where wolf?

Birthday - Frankenstein author Mary Shelley (1797-1851) was born in London. Much later the sequel, "Young Frankenstein" was born and young men everywhere memorized many lines from the movie. Abbey. . .normal, anyone?

August 31, 1997 - Britain's Princess Diana died at age 36 from massive internal injuries suffered in a high-speed car crash, reportedly after being pursued by photographers. No Joke, what a stupid way to die - who knew that goofs with cameras could be so dangerous?

I'm sure you're sorry to see it end but that concludes this month's brief history and pop culture lesson. 

History is full of what Malcolm Gladwell calls “tipping points.” Those are, “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." After which massive change occurs. There were such times right before the Civil War, WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, and perhaps with the internet too. If you look at some of the things that happened just in the month of August you can see how many of them were followed by change, maybe not massive but definitely important change. I would suggest that we are facing such a point soon and as with every other tipping point, it could change everything for better - or for worse.

For now, enjoy the remaining warm, decent weather. Don't even think about what's coming in quick succession: state fair, the autumn equinox, bagging leaves, Halloween, the election (ugh), Thanksgiving, and then greatest day of the year, the winter solstice, and of course Christmas. So don't worry about old Dear Leader, just go ahead and enjoy your August, I'll be fine. . .

(93 days until the election.)

A little Augustian music. . .

First Day in August     Carole King


Cold Wind in August     Van Morrison

Time to Say Goodbye

 

"Avoid Becoming an Act of Force and Not of Right . . ." 

A Time to Say Goodbye

This is not what I wanted to post today but it is what I thought I had to. We have so many issues to deal with in our country but I think this is one we will really need to face in the near future.

I take no pleasure in this post. I spent 28 years in the military ostensibly defending the Constitution and being proud of that, I gotta say this is really uncomfortable.

We, the Supreme Court, beg to differ

That being said, I’m sorry old friend, but it’s finally time to say goodbye. You’ve been around for centuries yet it seems like just yesterday that our best and brightest sat down in a hot, stuffy building in Philadelphia and glued you together from a bunch of mismatched pieces. You have been through wars, depressions, good times and bad. You helped as we went from a small backwater country to the most powerful nation in the world. Your genius was in being almost a gymnast in your flexibility as we’ve molded you over the years to allow our country to move forward into a modern world.

Look, it's not all your fault. Some of your flaws, like not seeing that politicians would stay in office for forty years; the “unique” phraseology of the 2^nd amendment; that the elector’s system would become a political poison pill, were unpredictable over two hundred years ago. The Founding Fathers were not clairvoyant and we have made it work - until now.

Yes, we made it work but finally your stubborn vernacular and vague descriptions have met their match with something called “textualism.” I don’t really understand it either but apparently there are people who claim to know exactly what you meant when you were written 236 years ago. And yes, it’s just their opinion but there you have it. I’m sorry, but now you have to go. 

Ever since John Marshall cleverly used your own words to give the Supreme Court the power to interpret you, boy, have you been interpreted! Political parties have run the country since you were born and have taken turns appointing judges that are supposed to be the smartest, least biased in the land. Of course, humans being humans, some have been better than others. Not every decision has been perfect or even desirable but I think they got the most important things right; we’ve been able to make you work so that you could keep up with our society and we could keep up in today's world. 

Admittedly many of the great advances we made in the last hundred years, advances that were generally good for most of the people, took some liberties with original concepts of the 18^th century. That’s only natural, however, since the country doesn’t remotely resemble that original little nest of colonies, not in size, diversity, complexity or culture. 

Until now that is. Those same parties are now responsible for your looming retirement. Well, just one of the parties in this case but you get it; we’ve finally run out of luck. Six black robed jurists, a super majority, have chosen to interpret you in a way that nakedly reverses progress made by earlier courts with judgements that are certain to damage American lives now and in the future. 

As you know, one can make words say whatever they want - and these justices are making you sing a very sad song.

Civil, human and voting rights? Gutted. Women’s healthcare rights? Gutted. Homelessness? A crime. Effective regulation of environment, food and drugs? Gone. Chance for minorities to catch up in education and jobs? Gone. Separation of church and state? On its way out. And this is just a partial list.

Ah, but presidential power? Suddenly king-like. (And for a most unworthy role model.) Wouldn’t the founding fathers be pleased to see that their war to cast off kings was all for nothing, ironically because of an interpretation of their constitution?

Perhaps they would be happy after all. The whole point of their constitution was to keep government small and intentionally cumbersome. And, of course, they didn’t even want the common man to vote for the president thus the electoral college. You, my friend, were created by the elite of the times and you are now returning to your roots.

There is no way (I hope) that 330 million people are going to stand by and watch their modern country turned into a backward hellhole. We must at least try try to remove so much opportunity for "interpretive abuse.” It's time to think the unthinkable; we must either update or replace you.  In today's America there is no painless way to do this but we need to start the conversation. If not, the consequences are unthinkable. 

Perhaps things would be different if we had paid attention to that "radical leftist" Thomas Jefferson who said in a letter to James Madison, a main author of the Constitution, "The earth belongs ... to the living, and the dead have neither power nor rights over it." Meaning that you should change or evolve over time to reflect new generations. In a later letter again to Madison, Jefferson believed “. . . that constitutions expire after 19 years and must be renewed to avoid becoming "an act of force and not of right."

"Avoid becoming an act of force and not of right . . ."

Ah, dear friend, what could have been if Madison – and we – had listened to old Tom.

 (114 Days until the election)

Father's Day and Other Summer Delights

 

Dads and June

Yes, I know, Dear Leader offering another light hearted post? Just remember, this is an election year and there will be plenty of time for crappy serious stuff so don't get overly giddy.

Schools out - No more pencils, No more books
No more teacher's dirty looks!*

If May is the prelude what then is June? Flag Day, Juneteenth, Father's Day and the Summer Solstice. And just the beginning of summer.

Now I know what you’re thinking. You are expecting either my usual whining about how little recognition we fathers get or how the solstice is the end of summer and beginning of our slippery slope to winter. While both are true, I am going to break out of my predictable rut to bring sunshine and warm breezes to you.  I'm going to write about all the positive things that June and summer bring. Or at least try. Let us start with this.

June is the gateway to the full monty * of a Minnesota summer. As a counter to the sadness of owning the solstice, June has the honor of the longest days of the year (in the northern hemisphere.) With that, you must admit that June carries a sense of great possibilities that other months don’t. June, and Summer in general, to me is the like the dawn after a long. restless night. By that I mean that wakeful thoughts at night often drift into the darker corners of our mind (it’s not just me, is it?) but which are thankfully - or usually - chased away by that silver glow in the eastern sky. In the same way, winter and its short days, long nights and maddening cold often brings out the worst in us. Then, like day break, summer chases away all those gloomy feelings and offers a magical optimism; both make everything look better.

Mrs Dear Leader's red phase

Of course, then there are the flowers and lush greenery (really lush and really green this year during our onging monsoon season.) Speaking of flowers. Like our ancient ancestors, we all live for the return of the sun and the seasonal routines it brings. Perhaps no one is more driven than avid gardeners like Mrs Dear Leader. Long before Mother’s Day she and other gardeners, like prairie dogs, start poking their heads up looking for ideas for their flower beds. Then, when it is safe to plant - which is hopefully before the 4^th of July - they invade Bachman’s and every other flower store like sailors making port after 6 months at sea (and with a very similar enthusiasm.) 

Now, in June, when we begin to see the rewards of their labors we are reminded why we live in Minnesota. (And winter is officially forgotten.)

June can be a little stormy (weather, not the woman) but hasn’t yet assumed the sauna-like qualities of July and August. Then there are all the art fairs and festivals – sorry, already missed Rhubarb Days but coming soon are Judy Garland Days, Potato Days and Kolacky Days – that require only tank tops and flip flops to enjoy rather than a parka and mukluks. And, of course, farmers markets on every corner,  camping trips and boat rides and Twins games. (Okay, fine, and soccer for you scarf-wearing, horn-blowing Euro-weirdos.)

Perhaps best of all is the feeling that time really does slow down. On a June day there is time to play golf, take a bath, sit outside and have a cocktail on the patio with a neighbor - and Prudie - and still have golden light in the west. The downside is going to bed with it still light out.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the two main events of June.

Hey, Og, sun appear in a different place - get ready for winter!

There is the solstice. Ah, the summer solstice. Sorry, I still can’t think of anything good about it. Unlike the winter solstice, which besides signaling the beginning of the end of winter has the panache of having a whole bunch of religions and festivals hopping on its celestial bandwagon. Poor summer is what, the maître d’ to the 4^th July? Whoopee.

Then, of course, there is dad's day.

Philosophically, I am not incorrect in my self-deprecating humor about Father's Day. Compared to Mother's Day, ours is basically . . . an average Tuesday. And that’s okay. Like the male peacock (or pretty much the male of every other species) we get to strut around every day in our manly maleness and pretend to be the grand fromage.* Those few of us with at least a semblance of self-awareness know and understand, however, that the females of our species are the ones that grease the wheels of a civilized society: don’t eat with your hands, take your hat off indoors, be good to your brother/sister and try not to be an asshole. (Clearly with mixed results given how many of us there are.) All the while often holding down a full-time job. They do a thousand other things I don’t even understand but I shall stand by (okay, stood by) nod approvingly at her efforts - and keep my mouth shut.

Oh yeah, and thanks for the card.

Speaking of Father's Day . . .

Marvelous Marv and his four boys: Moe, Larry, Curly & Shemp *
RIP Pop            

The real upside of these long days, however, is all the advantages for outdoor activities the most important of which are late day tee times. 

Yes, I have left for last the true point of this post. 

In fact, nothing personifies our relationship to summer like the ancient game of golf - despite what Mrs Dear Leader likes to say, (often, inexplicably, with a terse look) “Must everything come back to golf?” Well of course it does because everything does. Come back to golf I mean.

 

In great art there is the Venus de Milo*, the Sistine Chapel* - and the Preserve golf course in Brainerd

Golf represents all of life’s verities in one simple game: joy when a birdie putt drops; anguish when a perfectly struck ball hits a tree and drops into the lake; pride when a shot is executed exactly as you planned; humility when you duff a shot off the first tee with lots of witnesses. (Uh, never mind the club-throwing anger when you make a 3-putt bogey.) 

Speaking of humility, I play a lot of golf alone (Yeah I know, perhaps with good reason) so I often get paired up with strangers. In hundreds of rounds I’ve only met one jerk - who I encouraged to continue on by on himself. My theory is that golf is such a humbling game that very few a-holes can play it. Anway it also teaches perseverance. In addition, it creates lifelong friendships forged in the brotherhood of playing an impossibly difficult game while knowing there is no chance of mastering it. Also important, it’s a game that you can drink while doing. (Of course, there are very few games that guys haven’t figured out a way to drink while doing.)

Perhaps best of all, on a beautiful June day - maybe even Fathers Day – you can play until at 9:00 at night when the shadows grow long and the crickets call, then repair to the club patio for a final cocktail and to settle bets. Ah, a true midsummers night dream! * 

There is a lot to be said for June.  (Well at least until the solstice.)

You know, perhaps the world isn't going to end just yet.

To all you handsome, sensitive, attentive dads (and also you guys like Dear Leader) enjoy your moment in the sun - you deserve it! 

Music for everyone who has lost their dad - or even those who haven't

Dance with my Father     Luther Vandros

On a happier note, a great version of the greatest summer song ever

Summer Breeze     Isley Bros

* What's with the asterisks? In true Dear Leader form, they are pointless cultural references - how many do you get?

 

Memorial Day 2024

 

The Definition of Fidelity

It is Memorial Day, that solemn day each year that was established to recognize all those who died in service to their country; those honored few who gave their last full measure. Perhaps this year, at least for this day, we can put aside our political discord and anger and not allow those differences to interfere with a common recognition of that original reason for, and meaning of, this day. It is also important to keep in mind that their sacrifice came without political or partisan views; they were neither red nor blue. Among them were Republicans and Democrats, rich and the poor and members of many races and creeds - all of them Americans. They died solely for the cause of their country and for all of us.

So make your annual trip to the cemetery with flags waving then home for a picnic. Enjoy the company of friends and relatives - but at the same time remember those who died to make possible your freedom to do so.

Also, I’m sure that wishing people a happy or nice Memorial Day is well intentioned but it is important to acknowledge the depth of meaning behind this day and to honor it accordingly. Perhaps a simple “have a thoughtful Memorial Day” would suffice.

  "War is young men (and now women) dying and old men talking."  Franklin Roosevelt

In closing, I have posted the following on several past Memorial Days because I have never been able to find a better expression of my thoughts about this important day. To those of you who have read it before and grow weary, I apologize. To others, perhaps it will strike a chord.        

Thoughts on "Taps."

I can’t listen to taps without tearing up. Sometimes I’m not sure why this is so. Is it because of the magnificent mournful horn that so perfectly matches the feeling of saying farewell to a warrior? Or am I crying for all the loved ones left behind — the millions and millions over many years? Perhaps I’m crying for something else, maybe I’m crying for myself.

Ultimately, I think I’m crying because taps reminds me that the world never seems to change for the better. No matter how many heroes pay the ultimate price, war always demands more. Worse, it always our young whom it craves. Worst of all, we proudly offer them up.

Maybe I’m sad that someone somewhere will always be able to make complete strangers kill each other for the same reasons over and over, like an eternal World War I trench battle that rages over the same, small piece of ground in perpetuity. Each generation, like some militant Sisyphus, pushes the rock of war up the hill only to have it roll back on the next. No matter how just, proud or righteous that rock appears, it remains a monument to a belligerent humanity’s worst instincts.

I spent 28 years in the military and my son has also served honorably. Someday taps will sound for each of us. And for that I am proud. But knowing that melancholy song will need to be played for endless future generations will always make me cry.

Not for sadness but for anger.  

Although that time when wars will no longer plague us is apparently still far in the future, perhaps commemorating Memorial Day can provide us with some hope that it will eventually come to pass.

To my fellow vets I say thanks for your service, it has been an honor to serve with you.

To everyone else, I hope you do have a thoughtful Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Music

War   Edwin Starr