Emails to a Middle Aged Curmudgeon

"On some grave questions, there is no difference to be split; one does not look for a synthesis between verity and falsehood; the sun does not rise in the east one day and in the west the next." - C. Hitchens

This, of course, is why it is a fool's errand to give credence to the smoke and mirrors arguments coming out of the Trump White House.  Half-truths, "alternative facts," off-the-cuff prevarications, and outright lies do not, and can not, constitute a governing philosophy in a Constitutional Republic.

Granted, the "reality challenged" have been growing in strength for some time...particularly within the entity which calls itself the Republican Party.  From the theocrats to the science-deniers, there are those who aren't willing to accept facts.  With the rise of alt-media, there is always a voice willing to support their world-views, no matter how disconnected they are from the world in which we actually live.

Isn't Mitt Romney looking much better these days?

This phenomenon is not limited to the current occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania...one can see examples of it right here in Howard County.  From the sad display over at Howard County "Hate Watch" to the vituperative No Sanctuary HoCo folks, there is a willful disregard exhibited toward reasoned debate.  Bluster and ad hominem attacks, with words as cudgels, are the order of the day with such sites.

It is difficult to seek to find a middle ground with those who possess such mindsets.  If one attempts to bargain in good faith and take the moral high ground, one might get submarined.

Perhaps it is a better use of time to wait until rational actors appear...real states-people and not poseurs.  In the meantime, one can look east every morning for the reliable sunrise.  That is a fact.

Stay tuned, as more will follow.

Hypocrisy Watch

So this "No Sanctuary Howard County" group has "emerged" onto the scene.  As I am pressed for time, here are a few thoughts:

1) For "conservatives," you folks sure seem to want the heavy hand of the Federal Government involved in our local affairs.  So the black helicopters are OK in this case?  I am just trying to understand the intellectual grounding here.

2) I am assuming a fair number of you self-identify as Republican.  So why am I not seeing that optimistic Reagan-esque language on your FB page? I did see some fear-mongering verbiage, but not much hard evidence.  "Trust but verify," remember that?  Some actual facts might help you there.

3) I saw some concerns expressed regarding education, housing, crime, and other issues.  I can only assume that you are all deeply concerned about these issues when they don't intersect with immigration policy? And that when US citizens violate the rule of law, you are outraged to the same extent, right?

4) If you haven't already done so, read the bill.  It takes about five minutes, 10 if you are half-listening to RT in the background.  The criticisms voiced on the FB page don't align with the intent and likely impact of the bill, if passed.

Stay tuned, as more will follow.