Note on ordering in this blog. You may have noted that when it makes grammatical sense, my preferred format is alphabetical, e.g. he/she, conservative/liberal, Democrat/Republican. About the latter, my students always said, "But, Mr. Abell, you are a Democrat!" To which I responded, well you Republicans have lots of choices beginning with A, or B, or C.
The Optimist. Link here for the 26 Nov column. I especially enjoyed these stories: health care and America's African American piano maker. The latter says much regarding the possible beauty derived from craftsmanship and exactitude.
Health care and tax reform. The latter is, of course, very much a part of the former. One largely unnoticed reform would cut the tax benefits to selected drug developers, those doing the research and manufacture of drugs for so called "orphan" diseases. "The [tax] credit, first enacted in 1983, is intended to spur the development of treatments for rare, or “orphan,” diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people." Parents and care givers are justly concerned.
Health care for the "least among us." The Washington Post reports that, "Officials in nearly a dozen states are preparing to notify families that
a crucial health insurance program for low-income children is running
out of money for the first time since its creation two decades ago,
putting coverage for many at risk by the end of the year....9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women could see the end to their health insurance, if lawmakers don't act.
Forgotten history. This article is from the London Review of Books. " 'Black Tudors' reveals a surprising and overlooked chapter of history. Hidden in the British archives and parish records are the identities of dozens of black people who lived in England during Tudor times....[Blacks] seem to not exist outside of a stage bound character named Othello. [They were, however] respected members of English society, not 'powerless, enslaved victims.' ”
Civil War history. The Thin Light of Freedom casts light on the geologic, political, and social aspects of Appalachia. "Small towns throughout the Great Appalachian Valley changed hands many times during war, and as complicated a military picture as that presents, it represents an even more complicated political and social picture." Many outsiders became aware of the region only when JFK's presidential campaign swept through the area.
The area continues to be bedeviled by persistent poverty and now the opioid epidemic presents new problems. These areas voted overwhelmingly for Donald, but are strangely unknowing/unmoved by how his budget cuts will impact them; they seem not to see beyond his supposed "love" for coal, heedless of the ever decreasing coal demand
Young farmers. This article looks at a small, but growing, number of young people opting out of the life as "city slickers." Seems not everyone, women and men alike, is seeking that corner office with a view. "For only the second time in the last century, the number of farmers under 35 years old is increasing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Census of Agriculture. Sixty-nine percent of the surveyed young farmers had college degrees — significantly higher than the general population." As the story notes, not all of these degrees are from land grant/ag schools.
"The number of farmers age 25 to 34 grew 2.2 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to the 2014 USDA census, a period when other groups of farmers — save the oldest — shrunk by double digits. In some states, such as California, Nebraska and South Dakota, the number of beginning farmers has grown by 20 percent or more."
Facts? Remember TV detective Joe Friday's famous quip, "Just the facts, Madam, just the facts"? In his recent column, E.J. Dionne opines about the current concern for "false facts." He looks to the art world's requirements -- especially after the recent spectacular price paid for Leonardo da Vinci's, Salvator Mundi. Who would have dreamed it might be easier to divine the authenticity of a renaissance painting than from yesterday's statements/comments?
Friday, 24 November. The morning's mosque bombing (Arish, on Egypt's Sinai peninsula) left at least 235 dead. I would strongly recommend that you never, ever be in the vicinity of a mosque on Friday, especially around the traditional weekly noon prayer time.
What if... This is an interesting speculative article from the High Country News: "What to do if you had only one day left to live."
NCAA businesses. AKA basketball and football, only to lesser extent baseball. George Will's last Sunday column reviewed recent shady dealings.
Tribalism. This term made a past political science professor visibly wince; Dr. Charles Andrain was a respected expert in African affairs, especially those in western Africa. He had done much research on the effects (good and bad) that tribalism had had on the fledgling democracies created as colonialism drew to a close. In developed nations (e.g. America, Canada, Australia), the term was, still is, mostly associated with native peoples. In less developed areas there remains a definite negative connotation.
Our ignorance of, or unwillingness to accommodate tribalism has had a negative effect in our foreign policy, especially now in the Middle East, where historic tribal and clan ties hamper our peace efforts. We like to think America is above all that, but in this week's column, David Gerson writes that America, too, is "currently cursed, not only with tribal politics, but with tribal morality." Sadly, he has a point. The problem is played out, displayed daily in the media. Just choose your "favorite" conservative, liberal source, or watch David Colbert.
Women impressionist artists. We end this week in the more serene world of art. This excellent display of impressionist paintings by women (from many nations) is now at the Denver Art Museum. During this impressionist period, women were thought to be incapable of painting in these modern styles; indeed, they were actively discouraged from this school by the male-dominated art world. Many persevered, though, and their creative genius is vividly displayed.
Thank you for reading. Enjoy the upcoming first week of December.
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