Tag: Politics

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Random Thoughts, Whatcha Gonna Do? Edition

Quail Hollow

The Crowdstrike-caused, world-wide computer outages on July 18 reminded me of an old joke that, in retrospect, doesn’t seem quite as funny now: If builders built buildings the way programmers write programs, the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization. I wrote a bit of software myself long ago in another life, and I still play around with some pretty complicated Excel spreadsheets, so I can attest to its truth. Which brings to mind a piece of advice from one of my computer science instructors: Always have a paper backup. ______________________________________________________________ The assassination attempt on Donald Trump wasn’t the … Continue reading Random Thoughts, Whatcha Gonna Do? Edition

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Random Thoughts – Oh, the Stupidity! Edition

Quail Hollow

The Stupid Party Gets Competition Who was it that first labelled the Republicans “The Stupid Party”?  I’ve often shared the sentiment.  A little discipline would go a long way toward implementing its policy preferences, which, before Trump hijacked the party and turned it into his own little personality cult, I largely shared. It seems there is always a splinter faction determined to “stand on principle” that is just large enough and stupid enough to prevent anything from getting done. For them, half a loaf is totally unacceptable – far better to starve.  If you don’t believe me, ask Kevin McCarthy … Continue reading Random Thoughts – Oh, the Stupidity! Edition

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Random Thoughts, Return of Sanity (?) Edition

Quail Hollow

The 80s Want Their Foreign Policy Back, Part II, or, Romney Was Right Let’s stipulate that both Republican and Democratic administrations have made their share of foreign policy blunders over the years.  The House of Representative’s vote this week to provide billions in assistance to Ukraine has the feel of a sea change, an admission of one of the biggest blunders of recent times and the correction thereto.  We all had hopes that Russia, after its disastrous experience with communism, would align itself with the West and begin the long march to peaceful prosperity.  Barack Obama’s devastating put-down of Mitt … Continue reading Random Thoughts, Return of Sanity (?) Edition

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Random Thoughts, Spring Allergy Edition

Quail Hollow

The Wall St. Journal’s Joseph Sternberg brings us news that Portugal recently had an election.  A new far-right party, Chega, which roughly translates as “Enough”, finished a respectable 3rd with 18%.  That’s enough to make its leader, entertainer Andre Ventura, a kingmaker as the new government is formed, but not enough to have much influence on policy.  Which is well and good as far as Mr. Sternberg is concerned, because he sees Chega as a party of loud, unfocused protest without a serious plan for governance or any hope of formulating one.    Says he, “Europe’s consensus isn’t immutable, it is … Continue reading Random Thoughts, Spring Allergy Edition

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Hope and Glory

Quail Hollow

When in downtown Boston, one must walk the aptly-named Freedom Trail, which passes many of the greatest landmarks of American history.  Near the site of the Boston Massacre and across the street from Old South Meeting Hall is a small square with a memorial to the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s.  On one pedestal is a family in Ireland, starving, in rags, at the point of death.  On another pedestal, a family of immigrants in Boston, still poor, the mother and son barefoot, but decently dressed and fed.  Although it has been criticized for representing “pious clichés and dead … Continue reading Hope and Glory