It’s Saturday morning and I guess I know why you’re here. So, three — two — one — and Go; we’re underway. Whoops, first let me dive into the kitchen for my coffee.

Before I forget, did you remember that yesterday was Happy friggatriskaidekaphobia day? Should you panic on those days, little worry, the next one won’t be till Friday, August 13, 2021. Like suspense? The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, was born on a Friday the 13 (August 1899).

Something new. A new (test) feature, the best Meme of the week:

“The survival of our democratic republic depends on Americans’ belief that their vote counts and their continued faith in the fairness and security of our electoral process.” ~ Hans A. von Spakovsky is a Senior Legal Fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, where he manages the Election Law Reform Initiative.

“We have heard an awful lot about systematic and systemic injustice! But I don’t think anyone here can think of anything more systematically unjust than a stole election in a democracy.” ~ Michael Gableman, former justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court

Sadly, many of the 72,000,000+ of us who voted for our President feel, like sand in hand, the security of our electoral process is slipping through our fingers; I included.

This, in part, caused me to participate in a lecture on President Ulysses S. Grant earlier in the week. Also in part since his birth home is a short half hour drive along the Ohio River banks away. However it was also for the discovery of the man himself. Aside from his innovative battle-field strategies, what I really sought was further insight into Grant’s character, along with his treatment of African-Americans, American-Indians and Jews. He stood up for their rights, despite widespread opposition from the south and the American public. These minorities’ determination, coupled with his support, unleashed opportunities they never experienced before. Foremost of the black voices was Frederick Douglass, who became a member of his inner circle along with the Native American (Seneca), Ely S. Parker (DO-NE-HO-CEH-WEH). Parker was commissioned a lieutenant colonel during the Civil War, when he served as adjutant and secretary to Grant.

Grant saw the good in almost everyone and took them at their word. This became a hallmark of his Presidency as well difficulties when that trust was abused. Grant lived the last 24 years of his adult life believing all people should be treated with respect and dignity. At the time it was said that it was Lincoln who freed the slave and it was Grant who made them citizens. It wasn’t long after these two left the scene that Reconstruction as a force faded and the Democrats put ‘Jim Crow’ laws into place in the former Slave States. Still, he did manage to set up the Department of Justice and made equal education for all a standard.

Early in 20th century, Grant’s reputation was damaged by what was known as the Dunning School and quickly his Presidency’s place sunk near the bottom. More recently it’s been moved into a top tier. It was Walt Whitman’s famous assessment that includes the line, “What a man he is!

It’s amazing how distant history brings clarity and form to a person and a Presidency. I firmly believe that that same historical perspective will heap honor and praise on our current President.

Keeping busy – The absolute joke what most of the news and media have become, for a news junkie like me, it caused an I NEED ESCAPE moment. That’s why I watched a complete concert by the UKs, Florence Welch who fronts for the Florence and the Machine band, and was glad I did. That was exactly what the ‘doctor’ ordered. Great music.

Second it was the start of the Vendée Globe around the world race. Nonstop, solo with no assist, almost 25,000 miles and taking between 8 and 10 weeks, it’s a massive undertaking sailed every 4 years. Luckily, with on-board technologies it’s possible to keep up with the boats sending daily video clips. Two days in they encountered 40-45 knot winds and 5-meter waves; all stunning to see.

   

It was with a bit more ‘meat’ that I listened to an interview on The Rubin Report with Thomas Sowell. Aged ninety, Sowell is ‘sharp as a tack’ and much honored as an economist and social theorist who is currently a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Dave Rubin is a wonderful interviewer much along the style of an earlier Dick Cavett, Charlie Rose, or a Phil Donahue. I captured this short one minute piece of the one-hour in-depth exchange between the two – Enjoy!

And, it’s been a beautiful autumn. Even this week while on my walks there is still a lot of color to relish. All to help keep the mind clear.

Blink and it’s been a 100 years –

Warp Speed – Did you hear the President give his update on the progress of a vaccine yesterday afternoon? Light is visible in the tunnel even as many ‘leaders’ and ‘experts’ still treat us like children with crazy lockdown schemes. Stop eating at 10:00PM because the restaurant must close. No more than a handful for Thanksgiving, or better; no Thanksgiving, and NO singing. Where is it that these little tyrants advocate for self-responsibility? How come each report lists an array of horrible sounding ‘Rona’ case numbers, but we don’t hear any meaningful ones, i.e.; numbers listing recoveries, deaths caused by co-morbidity, etc.

“Something extremely bogus is going on. Was tested for covid four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse. Rapid antigen test from BD.” ~ Elon Musk – November 13, 2020

Meanwhile Speaker Pelosi is hosting a large dinner for new House Members.

Thank you Mr. President for the massive push you organized to get this business behind us. I am so ready for life to resume as normal.

Fini – Shopping this week it became clear that as a tall person I cannot offer to reach something on a high shelf for a stranger, yet if they ask me I should oblige. Apparently, this is the law of the tall ones.

Yesterday Marcia handed me the mail while giggling. The reason for her merriment was this advert. It took away all the surprise!

With the difficulty eating out these days we are beginning to establish meal categories. This past week it was foreign sounding foods.

On my walks seeing something truly ‘Hot’ is still a thrill. This Z-car parked by Xavier University was such a moment.

If you think Joe Biden got 8 million more votes than Barack Obama, pull my finger and I’ll fart Bohemian Rhapsody in E minor.

On that previous ‘note’ (pun intended), its Mark Levin who is quoted saying; “it’s amazing how 100% of the dead voters vote Democrat”.

Finally, we might soon have a new China policy;

Make it great week, keep the peace, stay safe, and be healthy!

Dirk

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