Scotland, a historic vote. As I typed this entry the vote was still two days away, but political junkies the world over were busily speculating on the results, no matter which way the vote went. It was a stark, straightforward choice. YES = Scotland would separate itself from the United Kingdom, becoming western Europe's first new 21st century nation. NO = Scotland would remain in the UK with its current governmental arrangement.
Until this vote became newsworthy on our "side of the pond," I venture that few Americans were unaware that the current Scottish parliament exercised freedom on virtually all domestic issues; only in matters of defense and foreign affairs did #10 Downing Street hold sway.
In the end, the "NO" vote carried the day and so the United Kingdom remains in tact, having "muddled through" this latest crisis.
Scotland, again. This time, though, the story is about an article in the August 2014 issue of National Geographic, "The First Stonehenge: Scotland's Master Builders." Beautiful pictures, as always, accompanied the explanation of this pre-Stonehenge site (ca 3,200 B.C.) in Scotland's northern Orkney Islands. Worthy of the bucket list, if you are headed that way!
Sweden. Though it was little noted in the American media, last Saturday there were national elections in this largest Scandinavian country. Swedes voted for a loose, shaky, unlikely center-left coalition. A young lady whom I know — the epitome of the classic multitalented, daring, small business entrepreneur — viewed the results with despair. Her verdict: four years of "chaos politics." Welcome to the parliamentary equivalent of our own presidential separation of powers / deadlocked Congress dilemma.
Ebola. President Obama made the inevitable announcement: only the US had the capability to help the world's health care organizations cope with this steadily expanding epidemic. Health professionals fear this epidemic could be the 21st century replay of the plague of the Middle Ages, only this time centered on Africa, not Europe.
Health agencies have begun to outline the massive task facing the world. The ease with which we travel today, something hardly ever considered a problem, further complicates the issue. Congress reacted quickly and favorably to the President's call to action. A silent chorus went up, no doubt, from the 535 members, "Thank God! A nonpartisan issue we can vote for without fear of backlash — even if we are being terribly frugal and late in reacting."
ISIS. Boots on the ground, i.e. American troops? The president says, "No," but the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says, "Maybe." Most Americans do not hear the whole story if/when it is mentioned, usually as a footnote, that there are now American troops on the ground: trainers and, more importantly, special forces,
In a recent column, Thomas Friedman talks about the central, convoluted role played by the Saudi Arabians throughout the region and the US reluctance to call out the Saudis over their financing of ISIS and like-minded strict jihadists. And, for that matter, the US seems reluctant to acknowledge publicly that nations like....
...Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia have far more at stake in this than the United States. So long as they believe that the United States will attempt to control the situation, it is perfectly rational for them to back off and watch, or act in the margins, or even hinder the Americans. The United States must turn this from a balance of power between Syria and Iraq to a balance of power among this trio of regional powers.Just now, as I am about to "go to press," President Obama addressed the nation (at 10:14AM on a work day?) about the airstrikes he had just ordered in Syria. More fat in the fire?
Gordon Lightfoot. For many reasons, my wife and I are infrequent concertgoers: exorbitant ticket prices, traffic/parking congestion, special effects that too often overshadow the performer, sound that also is also overpowering. That said, what about reasonably priced tickets to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert at Denver's venerable Paramount Theater? My first thought was that Lightfoot is old enough to remember when a concert was all about the songs and the performer's vocal ability.
We were not disappointed! It was a most enjoyable concert. No overpowering light show or music! Just Lightfoot and four accompanists: keyboard, bass guitarist, lead guitarist, and drummer. No unnecessary vocal accompanists to muddy his still vibrant voice. One line from his song, "Carefree Highway," asks "Wonder how the old folks are tonight?" More than a few in audience cried out to the effect, "We're here and doing well."
Climate. One of the stories of the week announced what we all have felt: summer 2014 would go down as the hottest on record. This news gave added import to ongoing discussions about the earth's changing climate. Questions about change will continue to consume reams of paper and hours of discussion: how quickly, why, and what steps can be taken to ameliorate what has increasingly come to be accepted as fact? (Florida's Governor Scott, not withstanding.) Recent articles have predicted a dire climate future for we earthlings.
A fall rain. As I typed blog entries Sunday evening, the sounds through the open window beside my computer, announced our first fall rain storm. Short-lived, with relatively quiet thunder and far off lightning were reassuring. I called a friend to pass along my thanks for him having turned on his sprinkler system to water his too-dry back yard. It never fails.
Premier week. Beginning this week all of your favorite (or not-so) shows will be taking up where last season's cliff hangers left you. On Sunday, we passed up "The Good Wife" and "Madam Secretary" in favor of the final segment of Ken Burns's wonderful series, "The Roosevelts" (PBS). It will be interesting to see how "Madam Secretary" (CBS) is received. The subject and Hillary's probable run for the presidency seem oddly timed — will there be questions about network neutrality?
Mid-term election spending. As noted by PBS, money is flooding into mid-term election campaign coffers at record pace. The January 21, 2010, Citizens United decision loosened the purse strings of the ultra-wealthy: thus far, $228 million and climbing.
- North Carolinians, for example, are being subjected to all the TV ads that $22 million can buy, roughly $23.15/person (not just per voter).
- Floridians are dealing with a gubernatorial race that what may well be the most expensive race of the year;
- We Coloradans are enduring ads totaling $14 million, or $2.65/person. (US Census Bureau statistics)
All of the local TV stations in metro Denver (in your RV market?) provide what amounts to a sort of "truth in advertising" assessment of many candidate/issue ads. Without fail, each ad is found to contain a varying mixture of the true, the misleading, and the incomplete (i.e. needs context). Only rarely, though, can the truth squad point to a totally false statement. Candidates and issue ad-makers are quite adept with their shading.
Thank you for reading. Enjoy the upcoming first official week of Fall 2014.
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