Here are this week's topics: an olde tome; immigration; a "white" Europe; identitarianism; words on war to ponder; Ferguson, MO; Senator Cruz (R, TX).

Old anatomy. If you are not vegetarian, then after you have dissected the holiday bird consider this nearly 500 year-old manuscript. You may have thought only Michael Angelo and friends were in the forefront of the interest in human anatomy, but there was also Andreas Vesalius.

Immigration policy. [This entry was begun on Wednesday evening after the time for President's national address was announced.] The 'fat's in the fire" — even before the speech's delivery. First, on the more trivial side, why the timing (8 pm eastern) instead of the more usual 7 pm eastern? To avoid conflict with the season finale of the now immensely popular TV series, Scandal, or the Latin Music Awards? Second, and more seriously, the inevitable before speech punditry about the possible long term impact of what some have already declared to be presidential over-reach. The "slippery slope" argument; though, as Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus noted correctly, “Presidential power, once expanded, is hard to contain." Indeed, some foresee that Republican howls of protest may be somewhat tempered by the "what if" scenario, i.e. they control both the executive and legislative branches after November 2016.

Identitarianism. Unfamiliar with this word? Apparently this is the new designation for those (mostly young white males) deeply concerned about the future of the white race, read as those adamantly opposed to "the perceived threats of multiculturalism, liberalism, and globalization." The Foreign Policy article, titled "The Bumbling Bigots of Budapest," related what happened when the Future Europe Congress began its two-day meeting in the Hungarian capital. Things did not go well; apparently Hungary's new strongman, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, was not quite ready to side openly with such an openly racist group.

War and disillusionment. This Foreign Policy article ponders the too often un-/ill-considered consequences of war. Today's all volunteer army is one reason the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are not simply re-runs of Vietnam. Many Vietnam vets did not volunteer for war but, none the less, suffered war's unintended consequences. Many of today's volunteers suffer these same uncertain outcomes.

A town, state, nation waiting and on edge. It seemed inevitable that the release of the grand jury findings in the death of Michael Brown would produce, at best, limited chaos. Michael's parents, the President, etc. have called for calm, no violence to degrade their son's death. My first hope was that the jury's findings would be issued early in the morning; it seems self-evident that the light of day will lessen the impact of any resulting chaos. All of the usual groups, pro- and con-, have plans in place; as do some new groups, e.g. the New Black Panthers and the Revolutionary Communists, to name just two.
     For whatever reason, the grand jury's verdict was announced after dark at 8pm in Ferguson. There will be no charges filed against the Ferguson police officer who shot Michael Brown. Violence quickly ensued in Ferguson and many other widely scattered cities.We remain a nation troubled by our racist past.

Another deadline passed. The foreign news items included the passing of yet another missed deadline for the Iranian nuclear talks. A Foreign Policy article lists four considerations:

1. Rouhani and Zarif have the power to cut a bargain. But neither is a free agent. Both have to ultimately deal with the aging leader of an authoritarian theocracy.
2. Iran needs a deal, but how badly?
3. Interests are more important than pride. Yes, but perhaps not for Iran's aging supreme leader.
4. The Rolling Stones are [not] always right...Sometimes you really will hold out for what you want, not just what you need.

A lesson unheeded. The title of the Washington Post's right-leaning columnist, Jennifer Rubin read, "Ted Cruz learned nothing from the [previous] shutdown." Harsh words aimed at a possible 2016 presidential candidate. Ruben's wrote, "The stunt he inspired was, for all but the Kool-Aid drinkers, a low point in recent Republican history." And the beat goes on.

Thank you for reading and I wish you a pleasant Thanksgiving.