Incense and Shibboleths
Well, not so much incense…but Tahitian Vanilla candles provide a
welcoming atmosphere for reflection and the sort of high-minded pontification
that you, my dear readers, both expect and deserve.
Having essentially taken a month off from the blog, I was hoping
to gain some valuable Perspective on the meaning of life, the universe, and
everything. Of course, the answer to that question was 42. 42 also,
coincidentally, being the vehicular mph at which one may receive a $100 fine
from the speed trap cameras that are poised like vultures high above 295 in
DC. OK, perhaps it is slightly higher than 42, but still, I know an
Autobahn when I see one, and the limit is ridiculously low for that stretch of road.
The lack of a posted limit in that area is no accident…we are cash cow herds
rambling atop rough asphalt.
Let’s do national and local politics today.
My audio wasn’t the best, but I believe I heard Howard County
Council Chairperson Christiana Mercer Rigby endorse Senator Kamala Harris for
President. [Source: recent episode of
Elevate Maryland.] If I am correct, coupled
with Opel Jones’ earlier public endorsement of Harris, that accounts for half
of the Democratic members of the Council lining up behind Senator Harris’ presidential
bid. I may be pulling from a small
sample size here, but, in light of some of the postings from others in our
community, it does seem as though HoCo’s Young Establishment is enthusiastic
about the esteemed Senator from California.
Note: in the interest of declaring my interest, I am still
undecided regarding a primary preference.
While this blog looks favorably upon Senator Sanders and Senator Warren,
I am not sold on either (yet) for 2020.
Frankly, as I digress, I think Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio
Cortez has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation talent and I hope she
finds her way on a national ticket in, let’s go with 2032. But that is looking a bit down the road, isn’t
it? I love her politics and her
communications skills are extremely impressive (we are talking about approaching-their-prime
Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton-level connecting abilities). But since she is not constitutionally
eligible for the office of which we are speaking, I should veer back to the
topic.
Harris is probably as far right as I can go. She seems to have a
better candidate skillset than Sanders or Warren and I think a series of
debates between Harris and Trump would show her mettle and reveal his flaws anew
in many delightful ways, in front of a global audience. Which is why she is on my short-list…but I don’t
feel compelled to announce my support for anyone yet.
Why? First, from a
mercenary standpoint, no campaign is paying me for services performed. So there is that. Second, I want to see how the field shapes
up. We don’t know if Stacey Abrams will
enter the fray (probably not, but still….).
Among others, Biden, Beto, Brown, and Bernie haven’t declared their
intentions yet. We are living in a time
where Terry F’ing McAuliffe is looking like a saint, given what is going on in
Virginia now. There is madness in every
room.
What else…oh yes, I am a bit late on this one (re:
infrequent posting) but, for the record, I too am very displeased about the abstentions
coming from three members of the Howard County Board of Education regarding the
Black Lives Matter At School Week of Action.
This was an opportunity for words on inclusion to be translated into action and for a
commitment to be made, in support of and in solidarity with “Black students, families, and staff
members” to quote, in part, the words of Jessica Nichols. These are our
brothers and sisters, and the children of our brothers and sisters, and to not
recognize the need and moral imperative for this Week of Action, in these
times, is simply inexcusable. I don’t
know what was in the hearts and minds of those who abstained. I just believe that “process” is not a valid
reason for an abstention. Dante wrote
about fence-sitters…and not in the Purgatorio
or the Paradiso.
Anyway, around 700 words.
Time to wrap it up.
In solidarity.
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