Quick, personal takes on some of the pressing (or not) political issues of the moment. Plus some music.
Politics in a democracy is a participatory sport. Everyone is not only entitled to their opinions, but actually encouraged to think for themselves. Of course, it helps to base those opinions on some solid research (beyond right wing talk radio) and to actually participate in the political process. You know, like voting.
I, for one, don’t want to spend inordinate amount of time (and brain space) fretting over issues where I have little experience and no impact. However . . . I was heartened earlier this week when a friend and Brilliant Reader suggested that he enjoyed reading the posts where I gather information from smart writers and thinkers that I follow and bring those together into the thread of a story.
That’s what I generally try and do when I tackle political issues, most recently in last Wednesday‘s post-election piece. This, fair warning, is not exactly that type of post.
What follows are my thoughts, unsolicited as they are, about a few political items that have risen to the top of conversation in the political media and among our family members. Take them with that well known grain of salt.
SHOW A LITTLE CLASS
If you’re going to run for political office in a democracy, at least have the decency, self-knowledge, and class to understand that you may be rejected by the voters. It is the will of the people, for goodness sake.
Susan Collins was too busy spinning her own version of reality—where she’s never responsible for the bad things that happen as a result of her votes (see “Kavanaugh and the loss of reproductive rights”)—to understand that informed citizens could see her actions in a very different light. She complained to the New York Times that voters didn’t appreciate her many instances (in her mind) of standing up to Donald Trump. However, when debate moderators asked Collins to give an example of a time when her vote against Trump’s policies or nominees was decisive rather than performative, she couldn’t.
Show a little class if you’re going to run for office. Lose graciously. That Maine Senate seat was never hers by right.
Musical interlude #1. I’ve loved Alan Pasqua‘s sweet version of Wichita Lineman since the first time I heart it. If politics gets your blood pressure up, this will lower it.
RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION
Democratic and left-wing pundits have been pummeling the 11 members of the House who missed the vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. But as more than one commentator noted—those who actually took the time to understand the rules—Thomas Massie’s motion for impeachment was never going to pass as long as Mike Johnson was the Speaker of the House. Which he is until early January. And even if the vote did pass in the House, the Senate would never convict him while under Republican control.
The votes were never there.
Tactically, one could reasonably suggest that the Democrats should wait until they have as many as 260 seats in the House and 55-56 in the Senate to institute impeachment articles against the Defense Secretary (which, to my mind, are very much justified). Then if the Senate still can’t reach the very high threshold for conviction, at least you have made the strongest case and have put Republicans in the Senate on the record as supporting what many see as war crimes.
It is a good reminder not to put fingers to keyboard before you understand a situation.
Musical interlude #2: My link to the Bill Evans tune Peace Piece a few days ago received some warm praise, so I thought I’d return for a second helping of the wonderful jazz pianist’s work. Enjoy this beautiful version of My Foolish Heart.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO BE FRUSTRATED WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES
I’ve written frequently about my frustration with the New York Times. Even when they publish one of my pictures. Their false equivalence is legendary.
Media critic Margaret Sullivan recently highlighted this issue once again in A biting critique of the New York Times that may change what you read. She’s reacting to a Perry Bacon piece that essentially comes down to:
“The overall product (of the Times) is a factually accurate portrayal of American politics that misses the big story: The Republican Party is a far-right entity at war with democracy; the Democrats are a normal party in a liberal democracy.”
Sullivan and Bacon argue that while the Times wants a liberalism that protects the status quo, what is really needed in the moment is “A liberalism that forcefully confronts authoritarianism, oligarchy, climate change, and the numerous other enormous challenges that we face…”
You may not have asked, but that’s my opinion as well.
Musical interlude #3: Remember when playing with time signatures in music was considered radical? That’s no longer the case because some musicians pushed against the status quo.
As a reminder of how times can change, let’s listen to Dave Brubeck‘s classic Take Five.
TEAR THEM ALL DOWN AND START AGAIN
A final quick opinion. I’m looking for the Democratic presidential candidate in 2028 who promises to demolish all of Donald Trump’s Washington, DC vanity projects (e.g., ballroom, arch, golf course), restore what needs restoration (e.g., Jackie’s Rose Garden, a new and appropriate East Wing), and go through the proper review processes to do so. All of Trump’s projects will be cheap and shabby (e.g., the Reflecting Pool) and will soon fail on their own. None were done with appropriate review. Don’t be like Italy and keep emblems of fascism around. We can put some in museums as a reminder. But take them all down.
Musical interlude #4: Seems appropriate here to end with a bit of Yellow Taxi and Talking ‘Bout a Revolution from a Covid-era performance by Molly Tuttle.
Have a great day, everyone. Thanks for reading. And remember, opinions are just like noses.
More to come . . .
DJB
Photo of voting by Getty Images via Unsplash.
