Against All Odds

It is six days before the general election and the country is fragile and divided. If President Trump is reelected, it will be nothing short of a miracle. With old and new media working double time for Vice President Biden’s election campaign, Trump has been managing a grassroots-style operation to secure four more years in the White House. Video coverage around the Internet shows enthusiastic supporters and well-attended rallies for President Trump. If lawn signage is any indication, I can first-handedly report, after driving 5,000 miles cross-country this month, the 2020 winner will be Trump by a landslide. But, despite an impressive list of domestic and foreign policy accomplishments and an exhausting schedule of appearances, the president has a near insurmountable task of overcoming perceptions relating to:

• incessant media attacks 
• impeachment
• Covid-19 ineptitude and a resulting failed economy
• riots, unrest, BLM, ANTIFA
• disgruntled minority on SCOTUS appointments
• voter fraud accusations 
• inauspicious political polls 

After Mr. Biden’s 47 years in DC, most supporters can’t articulate a notable accomplishment or legislation attributed to the longterm politician. Biden looks increasingly unfit for office by frequently exhibiting incoherent speech, bewilderment and grievous gaffes. However, Joe is largely protected by the media and securely sheltered from unscripted events during this critical lead-up to November 3rd. In fact, Twitter and Facebook are in the hot seat for censoring and suppressing a major and consequential news story. On October 14th, the New York Post headlined what turned out to be the October surprise: Hunter and Joe Biden’s alleged illegal and profitable business relationships with foreign countries. Going forward, there will probably be legislation regarding social media’s editorial role, but for now, the platforms continue to support their liberal bias while silencing conservative voices. This does seem to give Mr. Biden a strong advantage at the polls. 

Regardless of who wins the general election, the campaign has been divisive. Over the next few months, we can be assured of special investigations, appointed attorneys, major mayhem and general upheaval. It will take a very special leader to bring the country together. Perhaps the prominent signage witnessed in the the Bible Belt this month is most telling. 

Launch

Launch is an optimistic word. It is movement. Initiation. Upward and onward. Going places. It is May 30 and some historic launches are underway this week:

• Many more local governments have launched a reopening campaign for Covid19 stricken areas to resume some sort of normalcy. 
• Protesters have launched demonstrations, some violent and destructive, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement after the horrific murder of African-American George Floyd by white policemen in Minneapolis. 
• President Trump has launched a series of controversial orders and plans concerning social media and our relationships with Hong Kong and the World Health Organization. 
• Finally, Elon Musk, entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX, together with NASA will make the second attempt this week to launch two astronauts into space today. The launch is the first in nine years for NASA and the first commercially built ship to carry humans.

It's been a dizzying news week, and not necessarily promoting optimism. We are in the throes of change and it may be threatening our comfort levels. 

More Time for Writing, Less Time for Facebook

Back in the day, I used to be a fairly active writer. Time and inclination changed my writing activity to a focus primarily related to travel on The Blogagerie. I'd like to rekindle my joy for writing and communication. So, from time to time, I will curate my blog to include a little more than travel adventures. And, now that I have weened myself from Facebook, the extra time available can be put to better use: reading and writing. Speaking of Facebook, here's an article that makes me so happy to be a former Facebook addict user:

I Mentored Mark Zuckerberg. I Loved Facebook. But I Can't Stay Silent About What's Happening.

Formspring and A Prayer from the Living World

Doctor Zero at Hot Air blog wrote a passionate post in response to the news of Andrew Koenig's suicide.  After reading his beautiful piece last night, I immediately wanted to share it with the teen blogson, but the whole suicide topic stifled my enthusiasm.  Young Will enjoys a good, thought provoking article as much as I do, so I filed the post, entitled 'A prayer from the living world', for a future occasion.  Little did I know that the occasion would present itself today.  Will was telling me at dinner about a new application that's all the rage among his friends on facebook.  The program is called formspring.  It is easily accessible through a facebook account and allows users to contact friends anonymously and ask them random questions.  The questions and answers are posted for all to see.  The teen blogson was giving me some examples of how people become so bold when they are anonymous.  He seemed concerned, and compelled to share some of the mean comments that had been written on the formspring page of one of his friends.  The conversation naturally evolved into how hurtful teens can be to each other.  Add the element of anonymity into the mix, and there can be real trouble and serious pain.  We talked about coping mechanisms.  I read Doctor Zero's beautiful piece to Will, and in usual form, I couldn't get through it without crying, which always adds an element of comic relief to our togetherness.  The moral of the story:  formspring offers a potentially fun, but dangerous social forum, which will challenge kids' ability to decipher reality.  There is just so much out there to challenge kids' confidence, that communication is critical; even the God-awful discussion of suicide.  Thanks Doctor Zero for the thoughtful assist.