March 15, 2022

Man and Superman

"The art of government is the organization of idolatry." -- George Bernard Shaw; Man and Superman.


Four people stopped at my house yesterday, and two so far today. The number one topic is the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, and the destruction and suffering it has caused. Some think it is time for the US, NATO, and/or the United Nations to step up and protect the people of Ukraine, while others are convinced that would lead to another "world war." Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course, and mine includes some of the social dynamics that I've commented on here on this forum for years. Let's take a look.

Sociologists recognize three basic types of leadership: traditional, bureaucratic, and charismatic. Since traditional leadership was found primarily in pre-industrial societies, we can focus on the other two as we compare Putin and Zelenskyy. Putin is, by definition, a bureaucrat. He is a specific type, who believes in exercising autocratic power. Reports indicate that he has been isolated -- likely to avoid Covid -- and that seems to have amplified his Cluster B personality traits. In some troubling ways, Putin has begun to resemble a severely disease villain from a James Bond film in real life.

People recognize that Putin is a bully, prone to making threats, yet his statements about nuclear weapons have to be taken for something that has, at least on some level, crossed his mind. Still, it is important to understand that bureaucrats -- even the blustering bullies -- tend to follow the processes of the bureaucracy they head. Thus, if Putin continues to be frustrated, he will place blame on those just below him. Like Trump, he will then select benvh players to replace them. And that contains some real dangers.

If he becomes more paranoid, especially if he thinks the US and NATO are actively assisting Ukraine, creating problems for the Russian military, he would be more likely to attempt other forms of wardare than immediately using nuclear weapons. That includes a number of options, from attacking the grids of the US and NATO countries, to perhaps resorting to biological wardare in Ukraine. There is no way to predict if the Russian military and intelligence would go along with this. It becomes more likely they would remove him if he demanded nuclear attacks.

One can only speculate at this point, but I think that Putin's time as the idol Shaw describes is running out. The planning of the invasion of Ukraine, while extremely brutal, has not gone as expected. Things have gone a wee-bit differently than in the past conflicts that Putin has been involved in around the borders of Russia. The sanctions that the Biden administration has led the global community to place on Russia are far more intense than Putin expected. Putin did not expect 20,000-plus miltary and medical volunteers from distant lands -- including Canada and the US -- to travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian army. He did not anticipate the condemnation of the global community. Instead, he thought the invasion would solidify the reputation he seeks, as a feared superman. But he is now exposed as a vile little man.

Contrast that to the law school graduate turned comedian who became the president of Ukraine. Is there any wonder why Putin wants Zelenskyy killed? For Zelenskyy, who has an above average grasp of bureaucratic systems, was elected with 73% of the votes. He stood his ground when Trump attempted to strong-arm him. And he has transformed into the most charismatic leader in the world as he leads the fight against Russia. Unlike Putin, he has not sought the safety of isolation far from the conflict. Rather, he has become the voice of the Ukrainian people, expressing their thoughts, fears, and desires. Again, the complete opposite of Putin.

Throughout history, charismatic leaders have been compared to shooting stars that create a bright but brief display of light. Many have been killed by enemies, others by former close aides, while very few have reached old age. However, it seems possible, perhaps even likely, that Zelenskyy will survive longer than Putin. And that, my Friends, is Putin's biggest fear -- that if the Russian people were able to access accurate information, that they, too, will demand democracy.

Peace,
H2O Man

March 2, 2022

My friend came to me .....

Apologies if this type of information has been posted already. A friend contacted me about supporting the people of Ukraine. It is great that the US and European countries are providing support for the military of Ukraine. I think that there are a lot of people like myself who want to do something. My friend said the group in the below link is a good resource for doing so.

Thank you for your consideration.


https://ucca.org/

February 28, 2022

Batter Up

Years ago, my father asked my brother and I to assist him in the basement. A rat had literally broke through the cement floor, and had taken up room in the pool table. When we had it trapped in a corner, it quite literally attacked my father. I used a coal shovel to remove and eliminate the threat. I found myself thinking of that corner rat today while looking at Putin.

Now, although the Russian attack on Ukraine came as no surprise, it still made me feel sick when I saw coverage. I felt sick all day. Since my head injury three years ago, I have not experienced "anger," and am disappointed that my doctors said that emotion is unlikely to return. I decided to test that, by reading and watching a number of things on Putin.

This included "old" stuff on youtube. Some of those -- including several from other countrie -- were very impressive in their analysis of Putin. Yet others, such as a speech by John Mearsheimer, were very wrong. Now, John has been called "the most influential realist of his generation. On many issues, he has great insight. So, how could he be so wrong, while others were right on target, when it came to Putin?

I think the answer is thus: John thought entirely in the context of geo-politics among rational human beings. Intelligence sources include psychological assessments of various world leaders. I thought of my 2020 series of three interviews with Dr. Bandy Lee about Trump, his spporters, and finally the likelihood Trump would instigate violence if he lost to Biden. How I've been saying that Putin is the sociopathic thug that Trump dreams of being, since hearing the "genius" bit. So my primary focus was on listening to assessments of Putin that blend military and psychological concerns.

In between, I watched news updates, talked on the phone, and communicated with people on the internet. I was pleased to know that my west coast brother had been watching some of the same reports on Putin that I have been. I'm confident that everyone has an accurate opinion of Putin, and just how dangerous he is. While the Putin invasion of Ukraine is not going as he anticipated, we must recognize that he might intensify the violence And he has access to terrible weapons.

The pictures and reports of his recent meeting with his gang were curious. The distance between him and them would seem to at least hint that he prefers some degree of isolation. I was reminded of a clip from the movie "The Untouchables," linked below:

The only difference is that Putin carries a bigger stick. He sees the public rejection of his war, not that he cares if people like him. He counts on instilling fear by killing critics. He wants people to be too intimidated by his threats of violence to oppose him. But it is evident that he has miscalculated. Government leaders are not fleeing -- they are taking up arms. The people of Ukraine are determined to fight. NATO is not divided. He expected that fear of him would play a decisive role, and that isn't happening.

We hear the the next 72 hours will be extremely important. Of course that is true, but this will not be over any time soon, unless Putin is removed. I hope someone near him steps up. I know that sounds harsh, but I think it would be best. Yet we have witnessed that those surrounding Trump were too cowardly -- and often too greedy -- to do so, and it seems less likely anyone in Putin's inner circle will step up to the plate. Thus it is likely that Putin will demand an increase of violence, in the manner of a cornered rat.

February 25, 2022

War Children

" “Our apologies, good friends, for the fracture of good order, the burning of paper instead of children . . . We could not, so help us God, do otherwise . . . thinking of the Land of Burning Children.” Then came the lines that tore through the consciences of many like me. “How many must die before our voices are heard, how many must be tortured, dislocated, starved, maddened . . . When, at what point, will you say no to this war?” " -- Daniel Berrigan, quoted by James Carroll (link below)


https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/daniel-berrigan-my-dangerous-friend



My daughter called today, one of several who expressed outrage about Putin. Three people also visited me today, unscheduled, who are similarly outraged. My daughter said she was frustrated, because she could not identify anything she could do to make the madness stop. My cousin is upset by film of frightened children, huddled in a bomb shelter.

That reminded me of Daniel Berrigan's poem from a bomb shelter in another "country" that a large country declared existed, and sending up peace-keeping forces. A few weeks after that, he led the group to destroy draft records, explaining it with the above quote. I have the pleasure of communicating with Daniel and Phillip in the 1980s, and their example opened up a new world of thought for me.

A foreign power had done the same thing Putin is doing today on the island of most of my ancestors. Some of my relatives on our island fought and died in the resistance. A distant relative from a US city used to deliver goods to his friend Bobby Sands. My ancestors had been active in the war for their nation for generations. But contact with the Berrigan brothers both allowed and forced me to re-evaluate my thinking. Not about self-defense, mind you. But about war as a historic ball & chain that the human race drags along, with the corpses of burned children, to paraphrase some poet.

I saw on FB some people saying, "Yes, but what about _____?" I taught my children, by the age of five, that if I was discussing their behavior, it was unacceptable to say, "Yeah, but what about ____?" My son who works with kids in crisis at a school tells me that lesson is one that he frequently uses with teens. I find it pathetic that some adults' thinking is still stuck in the weak mindset. I suppose a good argument could be made that this isn't really "thinking." Some are incapable, for example, of recognizing the differences between Gorbachev in 1991 and Putin today.

In talking with my 92-year old maternal Aunt, I am reminded that in some distant chapter of our family's history, a Ukraine girl really knocked one of our grandfather's out. I am not saying that this was the root of McCartney's line in his classic "Back in the USSR." But it was similar. Two former heavyweight champions -- the Klitschko brothers -- and a current heavyweight champion, Oleksandre Usyk, are currently in Ukraine, supporting the resistance. Vitali Klitschko is, of course, the mayor of Kiev. These are all good men. Yet even on internet boxing forums, some Trump supporters insult them today. Asswipes.

I have, for years, though that our country was on the path to experiencing "the Troubles" that Ireland did. It seems likely to me that, for years to come, the people of Ukraine will have a similar experience. Children will grow up suffering from the hell of war. Like my daughter, I wish I could make it stop. But reality is knocking on the door. I told my daughter -- and everyone else that would listen -- the most important thing we can do now is to become fully invested in working for Democratic Party victories at all levels in November. For the only option is that the republican party, now Trump's party, supports Putin's violence. I do not think that all republicans at the grass roots are good with that. Nor do I pretend that all Democratic politicians are "perfect." But, as Rubin used to say, it's the difference between shit and sugar.

Hang in there. Take care of yourself. I split my television time between "news" and coverage of the theater-popcorn murder trial. We are currently in a theater of the absurd, and the unsettling previews have ended. The movie has just started. Be safe.


H2O Man

February 24, 2022

All Together Now

I've been listening to some Paul McCartney today. His works with the Beatles and since is amazing. A lot of great songs. Listening to this today, I was thinking ..... if everyone here works together and with others in our communities, we'll be as happy as this McCartney song come November.

But if we fail to, we risk being more in the mood of John's "Plastc Ono Band" LP, commonly known as Lennon's "primal scream album."

I could be wrong, as I sometimes am. Other times, I'm right. And I'm pretty sure this is one of them. I know that these are frequently stressful times for many, many people. And I think we could all agree that the direction that stress and anxiety is leading the republican party just isn't good. Or safe. So it's up to us, even though we may be dealing with tough things, to be busy between now and November. That doesn't mean a 24/7 concentration of effort, of course. But it does mean supporting those Democrats at every level running in campaigns this year. And putting in a good effort, no matter where you live, or what status you may hold.

Peace,
Patrick

February 5, 2022

Storms

When I was a kid, I enjoyed major winter storms. While this essay is not about the storm, I will say that as an old man, I still try to enjoy them. So in the early morning hours, before going to bed, I took the dog outside in the stormy weather. She discovered dome rabbit tracks around the chicken coup -- doubtlessly in search of a meal -- and followed them deep into the woods.

Normally, in a snow storm, the woods are silent at nice. I love that. However, with freezing rain, I was treated to one of nature's songs. All seemed good, until I approached the edge of the woods, and watched as a town truck purposefully knocked my mailbox down at 5:15 am/est. Hence, as I came in to lay down "hairy as a dog, for a good bite's sleep" (Lennon), I thought about how, as we walk the path of life, we are bound to encounter some idiots. They may be mad at their boss, frustrated by life's circumstances, or possibly idiots on their best of days

Now to my focus today. Like many of us, I remember when -- after the Columbine massacre -- videos of Harris and Klebold practicing their deadly assault were found. People said it was a shame these weren't found earlier, or there might have been an intervention that could have prevented the massacre. The majority of us are fortunate enough to not have encounters with jackasses like them.

Last week, a couple local guys -- one a high school senior, the other in his first year of college -- made a film that was chillingly similar to the Columbine videos. Their expressed targets were black human beings. The film was made in the county I reside in. More, the one guy attend the school my daughters graduated from. Where I did a few terms on the school board, at the request of the teachers union. Where I have many friends today.

Luckily, the video was posted on social media -- an option not available to Harris and Klebold. The school's administration immediately contacted law enforcement, and there has been an intervention. It remains to be seen what the eventual result of that intervention is, but at least there wasn't a massacre.

I'm in contact with a wide number of people that work in this region's schools. It is a stressful time for them. For, at almost every school, there are kids that are mad at their parents and authority figures, and frustrated with their lives. In life, I have learned one thing for certain: even good teen-aged boys are prone to do stupid things, without a hint of consciousness regarding consequences. It may be their duty, the same as dogs barking, birds flying, and the rabbit coming to the chicken coup for a nice meal. Yet they are still good kids.

Others are simply the type of guys who knock over mailboxes for a giggle. This may be particularly true for those with parents who believe Mike the Pillow Guy is an authority on elections, and who believe that January 6 was noble. Kids from those homes may believe knocking over mail boxes is the highest form of political expression -- the type 'ole Dad would be proud of.

But there are still others who are prone to think about assaulting others with dangerous weapons. Some will even discuss this option with a trusted friend. And a few will rehearse their assault. Like in Columbine, the pair will follow the same personality types, just as with the little girls in the "slender man stabbing" of 2014.

I was pleased to see the governor spoke about this situation. (link below) But it something that a politician, law enforcement officer, or a school superintendent alone cannot resolve. That needs to happen on the local level with an effort coordinated with county, state, and federal resources.

https://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/teen-in-racist-video-faces-weapons-charge/article_1243d911-b46d-5c73-9f47-9452d0c4ff10.html

January 26, 2022

Elmer's Glue

"It seems so very hard to maintain detachment of mind in the midst of raging fire." -- Gandhi


In the past two weeks, I have spoken with a number of relatives and friends who are feeling exhausted by the harsh atmosphere of our times. The Trump presidency, Covid 19 and the vaccine, environmental disasters, and more have definitely taken a toll on society. Individuals are aware of it, not only every time they leave their homes for work or shopping. It seems non-stop, because we are exposed to it on the television and internet.

As bad as things seem -- and are -- we are going to win this struggle. This is a big one, to be sure. It's a once-in-a-few-generations type of struggle. Today, we witness some of the same dynamics from those of the past gurgling to the surface.. It is beyond politics -- it is social, it is the rule of law, the national mental health. Those last two are on our side.

My favorite phone call was from my daughter in Boston. She is now working with a state-wide program that provides support to "at risk" children. She had just come from a staff meeting complete with raised voices and finger-pointing. Being relatively new, she was quiet through most of it. Then she spoke up, saying that they were all working in a stressful environment, as all work places are currently that way. She said that to start to change the environment, people needed to be thanked for the work they are doing. More, she added, this includes thanking the cashier at the store, the nurse, the school teacher, and others one encounters.

Two days later, she called to say that she had secured the largest grant they have ever gotten, and will be responsible for how it is spent. Thus, she noted, even very good things can be stressful. I think this holds true for individuals and groups. It is often how we deal with that stress, as individuals and groups, that determines eventual outcomes.

We have some good things. Even really good things. The US Supreme Court refused to help Trump hide records involving the insurrection. This was a good thing, though the USSC has made some unacceptable decisions. It is important that we get larger majorities in both houses of Congress, not only to be sure the House Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection, but to deal with a number of important issues. We need people to put in their best efforts in this election cycle. If we control two branches of the federal government, we can deal with the horrible USSC decisions.

Some people work best in the setting of their Democratic Party headquarters. Other prefer working from their homes on the internet. Still others like going door-to-door. Some people are able to reach registered (or former) republicans, upset with the direction the Trump cult is taking that party. Others are best at getting the reliable and somewhat reliable Democrats to the polls. Still others can reach progressives who are registered independent, often to the left of our party. We need everyone's contributions this year. It's how we beat them in 2018 and 2020. It's how we will in 2022.

Now, a word about our opposition. Right now, as you read this, somewhere Ivanka Trump is worrying about the legal issues currently confronting her. If she is fretting, then you know the other satillites in the gravitational force of the Trump cult are shitting. Over 24 who have left his crashing orbit have joined to prevent Trump from becomming the republican nominee. Two republicans are planning to enter the republican primary, even if Trump runs.

Trump has lost some of the radical right, too. It's not just those who boo him when he speaks about the vaccine. Many of those arrested for their crimes during the insurrection believe Trump has betrayed them. The pardons that were promised never arrived. Those who planned the insurrection -- and not just those with the sedition charges, but those who know they may be arrested soon -- will recognize that the first one that sings gets the best deal. Do not mistake these puddles of weakness for the guys in the mafia honor their code of silence when facing a long incarceration.

And how about those members of the groups that participated in the insurrection? As we speak, they are sitting in their living rooms, in the darkness, slamming beer and wondering who within their ranks are undercover FBI agents? Informants? They are like wild canines sick with hydrophobia, still dangerous, but by mid-summer, they will be biting their own tails, and gnawing on their own legs and paws.

A suggestion: If you encounter a republican foaming at the mouth, do not engage with them. For the pack of rabid fools led by a one-eyed dog named Elmer are being sent to the pound.

I would like to thank my former co-worker, Anna Kathryn, for her message today that inspired me to write this.

H2O Man

January 11, 2022

Roll It

There are very few things that I, as an individual, have in common with President Obama when it comes to life experiences. However, we both fell in love with Michelle from the very moment when we first laid eyes upon her. Yet, I still campaigned and voted for him twice. (grin)

I have not been active on a regular basis in recent times, but not because I have somehow lost interest in politics. Quite the opposite. I do not "think" that the future of democracy depends upon the 2022 mid-term elections .... I know it for a fact. I could go on and on about the dire threat to a civil society that we are confronted with today -- but you already know this as well as I.

Rather, I'll speak briefly about what I have been focused on in recent weeks. I reside in New York's 22nd congressional district, which is currently mis-represented by Claudia Tenney. In her first term in Congress (2017 - 2019), most experts agreed that Claudia was the most repulsive and corrupt female member of the House. Anthony Brindisi beat her in the 2018 mid-term, but lost their re-match in 2020 by 109 votes.

My family and I had actively campaigned for Anthony in 2018. The candidate, his campaign staff, and the grass roots worked in coordination to remove the malignancy of Tenney from office. However, in 2020, there was a bit less focus from grass roots activists, that I think resulted in his eventual defeat. This was due, in part, to the lack of communication between his campaign staff and the grass roots. At least that was my experience.

In her first term, Claudia tended to fly under the radar in terms of serving my county. Members of local town boards -- all republicans -- were frustrated by her lack of response to their attempts to communicate with her. Indeed, her public reputation was limited to her cheerleading for Trump.

Now in her second term, she has taken something of a back seat to two others -- Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene -- although she recently went public with her support of MTG. And she has actually done some things for businesses in our district -- in fact, she is currently under investigation for illegally diverting a large amount of money to her family business.

Our candidate this year is Josh Riley. I have been in contact with Josh and his campaign staff, and organizing in our area. Josh is exactly the type of outstanding candidate that the Democratic Party needs to remove the Claudia Tumors from Congress. In the past, he worked for Rep. Maurice Hinchey, who was one of my favorite politicians. My aunt ran Hinchey's NYS office. And, as an attorney, Josh worked for a Senate Committee. One of his primary focuses has been in providing health care for children.

Thus, each day I invest time in doing the ground work necessary for the 2022 mid-terms. I know that we need to maintain control of the House of Representatives in order for the House Committee to continue its investigation of the January 6 insurrection. Indeed, the republicans are planning to put Marjorie Taylor Greene as the chair of the committee if they gain control of the House. Think about that.

I've had old friends and associates stop by my home, daily phone calls, and lots of internet activity, to prepare for this and other elections. One of the things I enjoy most is on a forum of good people who share my concerns about 2022, but have little or no experience in politics besides voting. Group membership includes people across the country who are eager to put the work in. I've been teaching what we call Politics: 101, with a series of lessons that these people find to be of value. (I keep these shorter than the essays I post on this forum.)

Despite what the media may report, or the spouting off of idiots like Matt Gaetz, our party is actually in a good position to make gains in both the House and Senate. But this depends upon people like you and I do get started organizing in coordination with our candidates' campaigns.

Let's roll!
H2O Man

December 17, 2021

Kim Potter Trial

Is anyone else watching the prosecutot cross-examine Kim Potter? On direct, she was very sad. On cross, the saddness is MIA,and she is hostile as can be.

December 11, 2021

True Detective: Binghamton

https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/public-safety/2021/12/11/binghamton-restaurant-colonial-dos-rios-stone-fox-police-investigation/6469303001/


This is an outrageous local news story that my son is keeping me updated on. It has to do with the systematic sexual assault of young women in the work force. The facebook group, my son has told me, is accurate in its reporting about the three related businesses. He calls it "True Detective Binghamton."

I'm too angry to write too much here. I'll leave it at this: back in the early 1970s, there was a local businessman who engaged in repeatted assaults upon the young women in his pizza joint. It was apparent the guy was "connected," as local police never charged him. Late one night, when he was walking to his car, someone stepped out from between two buildings and threw a blanket over him from behind. He was thus pulled into the alley, and was subjected to a beating.

As I am older now, I recognize that it is better for the legal system to handle cases such as this.

H2O Man